"It's really about the longer term investments from these discussions, these talks, and the exposure it has for the city," said Rodney Fong of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
2023 APEC summit: Everything to know about San Francisco road closures, security and more
Despite those lofty projections, however, not everyone is benefiting.
"Where are the people? I mean that's basically what the businesses are asking," said Manuel Ramirez.
Ramirez owns Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken inside the Metreon - just feet away from where APEC is taking place.
He says since the security fences around the conference went up last week, his business has plummeted, with Monday being especially difficult.
MORE: Day-by-day timeline of APEC Summit in San Francisco
"We ended up closing the worst day as a business owner in SoMa. We've been there for 12 years, we know what the ups and downs of the area are like, and this was just complete disruption," Ramirez said.
It's a similar story across town at Abaca, near Fisherman's Wharf.
Owner Francis Ang says while his restaurant isn't inside the security perimeter, they too have noticed a substantial hit to their business.
"We started seeing from like 80 covers, to 60, to 40, to like in the 10s," Ang said.
VIDEO: Aerial performance artists scale San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid kicking off APEC
Aerial performance artists scale San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid kicking off APEC
Ang says for this week, Abaca has made several modifications.
That includes limiting their menu on some days and canceling a special guest chef do an event at the restaurant.
Ang tells ABC7 News he hopes more people come back soon.
"Restaurants have really tight margins. Like I don't know if you know, but between 5-15% are your margins. You don't have a lot to play around with," said Ang.
MORE: Protesters rally against world leaders, Israel-Hamas war as APEC summit commences in San Francisco
In order to lessen the impact, the city has taken steps to help some small businesses.
Ramirez says they bought the equivalent of 1,200 meals from his restaurant.
Something he says certainly helps but isn't close to being enough.
"The city's hoping that international investment will come out of this. But will the small business owners in SoMa who have tried to endure the pandemic - will we be alive?" said Ramirez.
RELATED APEC STORIES & VIDEOS:
- 2023 APEC summit: Everything to know about San Francisco road closures, security and more
- Day-by-Day timeline of APEC Summit in San Francisco
- APEC summit kicks off in SF with week full of lane closures, diplomatic talks
- Bay Area locals and visitors navigate traffic impact, events as APEC summit comes to San Francisco
- Aerial performance artists scale San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid kicking off APEC
- How APEC summit will make your SF commute harder for an entire week
- How intense APEC Summit security will impact SF roads, public transportation, and tourism
- APEC summit kicks off in SF with week full of lane closures, diplomatic talks
- From Fisherman's Wharf to Chinatown, SF says it's ready to shine as APEC summit kicks off
- SF leaders, community groups glam up city to wow visitors for APEC summit
- US Treasury Secretary Yellen, Chinese Vice Premier He start diplomatic meetings in San Francisco
- Outside of summit itself, San Francisco gears up for multiple APEC events
- President Biden to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during APEC summit in San Francisco
- First responders worried APEC street closures could impact emergency response times
- SF small businesses in SoMa district concerned about losing customers during APEC Summit
- APEC Summit tight security plans concern businesses in San Francisco SoMa District
- SF Chinatown's leaders expect tourism boost during APEC summit despite tight security
- Will SF be able to rehabilitate its image during next month's APEC summit? Here's what experts say