Design-Centric Consumer Products Companies Create Space to Grow with SBA 504 Loan

TMC Financing provides funding for $5 million project in San Francisco's Upper Haight District for humangear, inc. and Pawgear, Inc.

TMC Financing today announced the owner of humangear, inc. and Pawgear, Inc. DBA Paww financed the purchase of a 6,725-square-foot iconic creative space at 636 Shrader Street in the Upper Haight area of San Francisco, with a 20-year, fixed-rate SBA 504 real estate loan. The nearly $5 million total project cost includes the purchase price and building renovations.

“San Francisco is an active market,” Chris Miksovsky, owner and chief executive human at both companies, said. “If you’re going to be here for a long time, which we plan to, there’s some argument for making the investment and owning the place you work. Both of our companies are intently design-focused, so we wanted an opportunity to have our workspace reflect that. The new building has great character and we’re doing a significant renovation to craft a space more fitting of our design aesthetic and ethos and that everyone will be excited about and will enjoy working in.”

"San Francisco is an active market. If you're going to be here for a long time, which we plan to, there's some argument for making the investment and owning the place you work. Both of our companies are intently design-focused, so we wanted an opportunity to have our workspace reflect that. The new building has great character and we're doing a significant renovation to craft a space more fitting of our design aesthetic and ethos and that everyone will be excited about and will enjoy working in."

Chris Miksovsky, Owner and Chief Executive Human, humangear, inc.

Miksovsky said getting prequalified for the SBA 504 program through TMC Financing made a difference in buying the building. “We had a letter all prepared and submitted it with our offer,” he said. “I have to believe it helped. The sellers claimed to have had an all-cash offer too, so knowing the financing was in place and wouldn’t be a problem was nice.”

Financing the building went smoothly, according to Miksovsky, because David Griffis, SVP at TMC Financing, told him what to expect. “Dave was very helpful in advising and explaining how the process worked,” Miksovsky said. “He gave us a number of scenarios and even had recommendations and input on the bank we chose. I would recommend TMC to other business owners in the same position.”

Humangear makes “real gear for real humans” —simple, functional products designed to make everyday life, travel easier, more enjoyable and, perhaps, delightful. Paww makes smart, innovative products for dogs and their owners. “We try to make our products not only different, but better, Miksovsky said. “It’s gratifying a lot of people enjoy our products and we try to work in that spirit.”

Humangear has seven main product lines and many patents. Their gear is available at online at www.humangear.com and at various outdoor/sporting/recreational/mass retailers, including Recreational Equipment, Inc., Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Container Store, Whole Foods, Walgreens, and elsewhere. Paww is sold widely on Amazon.com, Paww’s own webstore and paww.com, and at numerous independent pet shops domestically and abroad.

About SBA 504 real estate loans

The Small Business Administration 504 loan program allows small-business owners to finance commercial real estate and other fixed assets with long-term, below-market, fixed interest rates. SBA 504 loans can be used to finance the total project cost (TPC), which can include the purchase price, construction/renovations, equipment, soft costs and closing costs. A typical 504 loan project requires a down payment of only 10 percent of the TPC from the borrower, with the remaining amount split between a first mortgage provided by a commercial lender and a second mortgage provided by a certified development company (CDC). By enabling owners to keep their capital working to grow the business and create jobs, the 504 program provides businesses and communities long-term stability. Business owners can confirm they meet the qualifications for an SBA 504 loan by visiting the TMC Financing website.

 About TMC Financing

Founded in 1981, TMC Financing is the largest provider of SBA 504 real estate financing in Northern California and Nevada. TMC consistently ranks among the top CDCs nationwide, funding projects worth more than $8 billion across California and Nevada. More than 4,700 businesses have benefited from this financing, resulting in the creation of an estimated 35,000 jobs. For more information on SBA 504 loans and the local businesses they support, visit tmcfinancing.com

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