Business owners in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood offered their support recently for a proposed Starbucks at 2201 Market Street.

Starbucks’ Frank Noto told members of the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro last week that the coffee chain’s new shop would “revitalize the corner and revitalize the building,” which currently houses an Industrialists shop.

“It’s frankly kind of shabby,” he said of the stainless steel furniture store location at Market and Sanchez streets. He added the two existing neighborhood Starbucks – one near Church and Market streets, and the other by 18th and Castro streets – are overcrowded, and the new shop would give customers more space. A total of 60 indoor and outdoor seats are planned.

Noto pledged the chain would continue its commitment to the largely LGBT neighborhood. That includes providing funds to the GLBT Historical Society so the nonprofit can grant free entry to visitors during the Castro Street Fair, which is Sunday, October 7.

Parking won’t be available at the new shop, except for one spot for people with disabilities.

Starbucks representative Phil Burnett said they’re hoping to open the store in 2013.

The coffee chain has been working for months to to drum up support among residents and business owners.

Only one of MUMC’s members opposed Starbucks’ plans at the neighborhood group’s Thursday, August 2 meeting.

Even Auto Erotica owner Patrick Batt, who’s never shy about criticizing presenters at MUMC meetings and urging others to vote against proposals, was supportive of the Starbucks development. He seemed pleased with the company’s vows to help the community.

“Sometimes all it takes is rattling some cages,” Batt said.