SF's London Breed challenges narrative of Union Square closures (San Francisco: sales, leases)

[Tulemutt]

So much for the “Doom Loop” narrative. That has its own thread. Now let’s see the constructive side of the story with the mayor’s positive talking points:

Breed pointed to stores that have recently opened in the city's retail district, such as the Toys R Us at Macy's last year, and those that renewed their leases, including Levi's.

“We didn’t hear about Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel expanding their footprint because they’ve had record sales in Union Square and a number of the luxury retailers who are here to stay,” Breed said. “We didn’t hear about Banana Republic and others moving into this corridor of the Union Square area. No one’s talking about the fact that Ikea is going to be opening a store on Market Street.”

…

Breed directly addressed media outlets that have featured stories on the demise of the city's retail neighborhood. “Those folks who don’t walk the streets in San Francisco, that don’t live in San Francisco, but they want to write about and commentate about San Francisco, I challenge you to come to this city and see what it feels like. I challenge you to come shop at the stores that you’re complaining about, which you probably never even stepped foot in in the first place,” she said. “I challenge you to come to our restaurants and to see what’s happening.”

…

In an effort to encourage new businesses to replace those that have left, Breed and District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin announced in the press conference a $6 million plan to beautify the three blocks of Powell Street that run between Union Square and the cable car turnaround.

…

The proposal includes $4 million to replace the worn-out metallic sidewalk extensions with a treatment that will be “elegant” and create a “unified widened sidewalk” along Powell between Market and Geary streets, according to a news release from the mayor's office.

The remaining $2 million will be used to incentivize new tenants to rent the empty storefronts along Powell Street. The goal is to attract up to 10 new businesses by offering to subsidize some of the startup costs, such as storefront improvements.

…

Tourism is now beginning to bounce back, Breed pointed out Tuesday.

“What’s not being talked about is we are almost at pre-pandemic levels at our airport, which was voted No. 1 airport in the country,” she said. “We are rising in our hotel occupancy rate, and no we are not where we want to be, but we are going to get better and stronger than ever.”


https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/artic...e-18103067.php

[blameyourself]

You mean there's a different narrative other than the Henny Penny "sky is falling" group? Who would have thunk it? Admittedly, their hyperbole is always good for kicks and giggles. Hard to take anything serious when every post is something negative.

[blameyourself]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...bacb7395&ei=10

As usual, when it comes to city downtown areas of late, pundits point to rising crime and quality of life issues: organized groups of thieves, random shoplifting, the homeless, drug users, mentally ill.

But that’s always been life for retailers along Market Street in San Francisco. Blaming Westfield’s decision solely on crime may be politically convenient but masks the true reasons why all traditional malls, including downtown locations, are struggling.

[tikkasf]

Nordstrom had already planned to close a number of it's stores.....that is not to say the deteriorating area around downtown SF was a factor in deciding to add the SF Westfield Mall store and the Nordstrom Rack across the street



https://www.businessinsider.com/nord...es-list-2020-5

[scirocco]

Best thing San Francisco ever did in decades : giving Chiesa Boudin the boot from the DA office. Although still considerable work to be done in addressing the issues of homelessness/drug abuse in the city. If Chiesa Boudin was still in office, the city would be on the brink of inevitable collapse.

[cachibatches]

I see San Franciscan's have not lost the ability to whistle in the dark.

[Reggiezz]

It seems like every policy is dedicated to driving law abiding taxpayers out. They have a plan and it doesn't involve retaining the current population.

[john3232]

Will be interesting to see how much SFPD presence IKEA receives after they open.

[Jasonsim]

https://www.city-data.com/forum/san-...opping-10.html

A thread I started a while ago tracking Bay Area shopping, but recently reflected to show the current tenants/coming soon to Union Square/Downtown. Take a look if you want..