Seven Starbucks stores in downtown San Francisco plan to close as the city continues to struggle with crime, drug use and a homelessness epidemic.
The coffee company announced on Tuesday the locations of the stores that will close from October 22 as part of a review of the company’s portfolio.
“Each year we routinely evaluate the store portfolio to determine where we can best meet the needs of our community and customers,” a Starbucks spokesperson told CNN.
The official said they are committed to San Francisco as a whole, adding that they have opened three other stores in the area in the past six months.
Despite the apparent denial that the closures are related to the city’s ongoing problems, this is just the latest in a string of recent major store closures in the Bay Area.
In August, the area’s flagship Nordstrom closed after three decades in business, while other notable closures included Whole Foods, CB2, Anthropologie and more.
Seven Starbucks stores in downtown San Francisco plan to close in October
The closures come as the city continues to deal with crime, drug use and a homeless epidemic
Below are the seven locations closing on October 22:
- Mission Street and Main Street
- Geary Street and Taylor Street
- 425 Battery St.
- Marktstraat 398.
- 4th Street and Market Street
- 555 California St.
- Bush Street and Van Ness Avenue
In their statement, Starbucks spokesperson said their commitment to San Francisco has not wavered despite the closures.
In addition to opening several new locations, the brand is continually “identifying stores in need of investment or renovation,” which currently includes four stores.
The investments reportedly cost $2.5 million.
“We remain committed to investing in the city in meaningful and important ways so we can meet our partners and customers where they are – the best we know how,” said Jessica Borton, Starbucks regional vice president for Northern California , to CNN.
A company official also confirmed this SFGAAT that all employees are offered the opportunity to transfer to another location.
“We will continue to listen to the needs of our partners (employees) to ensure they can focus on making drinks and creating connections in a welcoming environment,” said an email sent to employees .
“I want to thank all of you for your leadership and support of our partners as we communicate this news,” the email continued.
After the seven closures, 52 Starbucks remain in San Francisco.
In their statement, Starbucks spokesperson said their commitment to San Francisco has not wavered despite the closures
A homeless woman is seen on the street in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District
A homeless woman moves her belongings after being contacted by the San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team’s Encampment Resolution Team
In early August, John Chachas, the owner of local luxury supplier Gump’s, paid for a full-page advertisement in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle to write a scathing letter.
The ad, addressed to Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor London Breed, accuses politicians of dereliction of duty over the city’s deep and rampant problems.
Chachas, 59, also said that if business continues on its current path, it could result in the 166-year-old store’s doors closing forever.
Cachas expressed his deep desire not to be the last victim of the so-called “retail apocalypse” gripping the city, and demanded that Newsom and Breed immediately reassess their “failed public policies” or face a future to face without his shop.
“Today, as we prepare for our 166th holiday season at 250 Post Street, we fear it may be our last because of the profound erosion of conditions in this city,” said Chachas, who ran for U.S. Senate as a Republican in 2010 Nevada Senate, but lost. , wrote.
Explaining this, the Columbia and Harvard Business School graduate said, “San Francisco now suffers from a ‘tyranny of the minority’ – behavior and actions by a few that endanger the livelihoods of the many.”
The investment banker — who acquired Gump’s after a Chapter 11 filing in 2018 — further explained how crime, homelessness, a lack of foot traffic and lawlessness have plagued his store and others downtown after a long COVID closure.
San Francisco’s elected class, he said, has been unable to address the problem, thanks to policies that have allowed the homeless to run rampant.
Around the same time, the city’s flagship Nordstrom store closed due to the city’s increase in crime, homelessness, and public drug use.
Video captured by local media showed the once bustling store empty of its merchandise and customers as it prepared to close its doors.
“It’s half of the mall that won’t be here anymore. I do think it could change the businesses. You can already see it. It’s a shame,” said a Nordstrom employee.
In early August, John Chachas, the owner of local luxury supplier Gump’s, paid for a full-page advertisement in Sunday’s San Francisco Chronicle to write a scathing letter about the city’s problems.
Chachas said if business continues on its current path, it could lead to the 166-year-old store’s doors closing forever
This is the full ad Chachas paid to appear in the San Francisco Chronicle
The San Francisco flagship Nordstrom closed in August after three decades in business
A map shows the major companies that have left San Francisco or announced they will leave in recent months. Retailers like Whole Foods, Anthropologie, Old Navy, AmazonGo, Saks Off Fifth and Office Depot are among those participating in the mass exodus
Other major closures include GAP, Saks 5th Avenue, Whole Foods, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Office Depot, Cinemark, Abercrombie and Fitch and more.
The city has also suffered from the increase in remote work following the pandemic, which has decimated footfall in the Financial District and Union Square.
Office vacancy reached a record high of 31 percent in May, enough space for 92,000 employees.