Shopping has long been a pastime for visitors and locals alike in San Francisco, but the city’s post-pandemic retail landscape is actively shifting. While some shopping districts have emptied out, others are expanding and bringing in new life.
In Union Square, international fashion brand A Bathing Ape celebrated its grand opening with a block party featuring DJs and games. The opening marks a bright spot for an area that took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic and the years following, suffering from declining foot traffic, rising crime, and the loss of major retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue.
“It was awesome, that place is so cool, it’s so clean in there, and everything is just so aesthetic,” said Dustin Thurber of Sonoma County.
More streetwear and experiential stores have been cropping up in Union Square to fill the void. Last year, Nintendo opened its first West Coast location in the district, and the San Francisco Chronicle reports that fashion brand Kith is working to take over the former Macy’s Men’s store.
“It’s part of the revitalization of Union Square, bringing back some of the high-end retail to the area. It’s really, really important to us,” said Inder Bhatia, head of retail for A Bathing Ape. “We’ve had huge community support once we’ve opened up and it’s been really amazing thus far.”
Just blocks away on Market Street, however, it is a different story. The once-busy San Francisco Centre remains boarded up. The nine-story building closed in January, and a deal to buy the mall fell through this summer.
Meanwhile, on the western end of the city, Stonestown Galleria continues to draw consistent crowds with ample free parking and an expansive layout. The mall recently extended its hours, opening an hour earlier at 10 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“Downtown has been so dead since COVID, but Stonestown’s been pretty lively for the past few years. It’s rebounded pretty well from COVID in my experience,” said San Francisco resident Sam Dunn.
Shoppers seem to be on board with the subtle changes and growing retail footprints in the area.
“You got a lot of options, food court is amazing,” said Christian Bautista of San Francisco. “Probably, with the bringing of Raising Cane’s it’s gonna bring a lot of people together, you got a lot of options for clothing stores.”
The success of these retail hubs has some shoppers hoping that more stores across the city will start staying open later to accommodate busy work schedules.
