SFist was founded in 2004 by Rita Hao and Jackson West as part of the Gothamist network of city-focused blogs. The idea for SFist came from a desire to provide San Francisco residents with a fresh, local perspective on city news and events, combining journalism with a more casual, blog-style approach. Over the years, SFist changed hands several times, including a brief shutdown in 2017. In 2019, the site was revived by its current owner, Impress3 Media, a San Francisco-based digital media company led by Ted Girdner. Based in San Francisco, California, SFist covers a wide range of local news topics relevant to the Bay Area. The website provides coverage of San Francisco politics, community events, local businesses, and cultural happenings. SFist also reports on regional issues affecting the broader Bay Area, including transportation, housing, and environmental concerns. The site features a mix of hard news, opinion pieces, and lighter content such as food and entertainment reviews. While primarily focused on San Francisco, SFist occasionally covers national news stories that have a significant impact on or connection to the city. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of SFist is its resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity. After being abruptly shut down in 2017 along with other Gothamist network sites, SFist managed to return to the digital media landscape in 2019 thanks to local ownership and support from the San Francisco community. This revival demonstrates the strong connection between the site and its readership, as well as the enduring demand for locally-focused, independent news sources in the age of media consolidation.