San Francisco mayoral candidates react to looming closure of Macy's in Union Square

Macy’s announcement that it is closing its flagship store in San Francisco’s Union Square has fallen right into the city's mayoral campaign. Wilson Walker reports. (2/27/24)

[@user-pw3ji3rn3s]

San Francisco is dying. And its the people we keep voting for that are doing it here and in Oakland.

[@a.m.6847]

The politicians who we continue to support are simply implementing the policies of the citizens of san francisco

[@silentmajority8365]

DNCdiversity ruined it

[@RK-fx4sv]

No one will admit, it’s crap city leaders and policies that’s causing the exodus of business.

[@iworkout6912]

Sheeeee, not suppose to talk about that. You got to 'right think and don't say the things your saying.'

[@KK-pm7ud]

People know it. They just allow these people who benefit from it to keep it going. Vote them all out and bring in hardliners who will prosecute criminals and put them in prison away from people who want to make the city better.

[@clubmogambo3214]

Actually everyone admits it, just that no one gives a shit. They'll continue their downward spiral and do so with goose stepping pride.

[@San_Francisco_Downtown_Watcher]

Crime happens, robbery, mob and rob. Shoppers don't feel safe is the reason. Daddy and mama are not stupid enough to bring kids to a dangerous zone where filled with drug addicted and homeless, and don't want to have black kids stalking with you after shopping. My aunt was mobbed by 4-5 black kids with baseball bat at 7pm. She didn't call police because she said this is useless. You know how bad the situation.

[@michaelwells7348]

where on 3rd st

[@sandlotkrew8778]

So she got mobbed by black kids & nothing happened ?!... What was the point of this story ?!... Just to be low key racist ?!

[@TG-hf1gx]

😱Omg

[@NikkiRowCoxx]

Yes, Progressive politics gets you this! 😂

[@mrcpaddler]

It's true, so people aren't reporting crimes. There's no point.

[@tycchock1]

Imagine Christmas 2025 in Union Square with no Christmas tree and a 400,000 square foot building totally dark. Congratulations Mayor Breed great job!

[@fatpat4382]

It’s called “full of opportunities” per our mayor. 😂

[@donlee.4308]

@@fatpat4382add “reimagining the union square” 😂😂

[@WeylandLabs]

Imagine consumerism 24/7 controlling how you think, what to buy, where to buy, how to buy. A Christmas tree at in a public shopping mall doesn't make Christmas special your friends and family do. Your priorities seem distorted if you think spending Christmas in a shopping mall is a good thing.

[@80sCheesyFan]

@@WeylandLabswell, maybe that Christmas tree was iconic to some people in city and brought them a sense of joy every year. I rather see that than a gloomy dark abandon huge building in the middle of a decaying city where zombies roam the streets. But keep defending the way the city heading. It’s getting worse and worse by the day. lol

[@encinobalboa]

They will turn it into micro-homes so the druggies have a comfortable place to use stuff with city provided paraphernalia. That's social justice for yah.

[@michael028]

It's an opportunity when a major store closes? Well, it won't be turned into a hotel, because hotels are empty and people are moving out. So NO, it's a disaster, not an opportunity.

[@michaelwells7348]

AI is moving in watch the news about Nvidia stock...

[@skytron22]

@@michaelwells7348 lmfao what? AI isn’t a physical product, nor is it sold in stores.

[@michaelwells7348]

No kidding Dum as ~ Creative people like working in Open Unique spaces ~ like an apple campus. they are already Utilizing empty vintage store fronts in Hayes Vally ~ Which used to be Brick and Mortar retail ..@@skytron22

[@SeattlePioneer]

Wont bums and vandals just break in to the store after it's closed and start living there? It seems that the bums and vandals have already been the rulers of San Francisco's streets for years.

[@silentmajority8365]

@@michaelwells7348 AI posting on youtube along with Feds and local cops

[@ncabcabin]

It’s the mayor of San Francisco and Gavin newsome fault

[@chrisconsorte7893]

The French laundry connection! 🤪🤪🤪

[@gregj831]

This is the fault of MAGA White Supremacists and Donald Trump!

[@seadweller386]

Getting a new mayor won’t help. You need to replace all the clowns on the board, and on the police commission. They never take any heat for their hair-brain policies.

[@rogerc23]

There isn’t a single non democrat in all of SF city council. The issue is pretty clear.

[@silentmajority8365]

a lot of residents need to be in jail or deported too

[@rogerodle8750]

Clowns to the left of me... Plenty of clowns in Sacramento as well.

[@ll4680]

GET WOKE GO BROKE! 😂

[@silentmajority8365]

Be diverse it all gets worse

[@AKAAAK]

Mayor Breed tryin' to give excuses for her piss poor leadership😂

[@agarber1932]

We live in Canada and used to love travelling to San Francisco. No more. The drugs, filth and crime are enough to deter anyone from travelling to San Francisco. The city is dying. So sad.

[@riavidena6626]

So sad... Wake up...

[@r.s.4672]

The mayor also called it "an opportunity" when Westfield left the mall. She said maybe the mall could be turned into a soccer stadium or something. What?? This is getting ridiculous! Macy's leaving Union Square? When is the exodus going to stop?

[@AKAAAK]

Never? Is my guess, until the voters stop putting these useless officials in office 😅

[@fatpat4382]

It will stop when downtown is completely empty.

[@donlee.4308]

until that “opportunity and reimagine” city officials voted out in the office , SF will continue to fall down.

[@80sCheesyFan]

That mayor is bought and paid for. You honestly think she cares about the city and its people. She was also bragging about how AI companies were the future companies to occupy the empty office spaces in San Francisco, as if that was a good idea. Lol This mayor is 100% responsible for running this city to the ground. Other politicians prior ran it the ground (newsome, pelosi) but she literally killed it quickly. From communist style covid lock downs to killing small to large retail businesses. And soft on crime bullshit that still continues. And letting the homeless and open drug use continue to grow onto the streets where literally no one wants to live or visit the city anymore. Good jobs Democrats 👍🏻

[@johnnguyen4152]

Those will be 5 stars hotels for homeless in SF.

[@th1s1kat]

Oh damn, losing Macy’s in SF is HUGE.

[@jasonsmith1143]

Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to charter the course.

[@TG-hf1gx]

!!!AMEN!

[@markgideon23]

the mayor calling these closures "opportunities"???? wtf she's effin' delusional

[@Rubberbandman04]

YEP SHE IS F-ing delusional 😂😂😂😂 3:28

[@hankhanson2534]

Frisco is dying.... brought to you by Gavin Newsom.

[@gc1172]

Shoplifting being legal means no stores.

[@mikeifyouplease]

Let's reimagine Union Square as a high-end skid-row.

[@Rubberbandman04]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 SKID ROW 4:27

[@ronaldmcdonald3965]

The Activists and Politicians don't care Some Activists are happy. Some openly hate businesses and think it is ok to shoplift Macy's in Oakridge, Valley Fair, and Stanford Malls are doing fine. Ok, the Activists are getting what they want. Remember when Walgreen's closed And the Activists demand the business provide all sorts of services for the Banko Brown?

[@JRTC88]

Everything went down hill staring with Newsome,Farrell and now Breed.

[@RajDeelish]

All you need to know is Mayor Breed keeps deliriously saying things are fine. No, it hasn't been fine and guess who's been mayor the entire time the city has been spiraling out of control?

[@johnnguyen4152]

Yes. She is still be FINE. Because she still get the same pay, no matter what happen.

[@Divedown_25]

Can you believe that the failed leadership in SF and California have consequences. if you cannot keep an area safe and let them thugs take over with no repercussion for their actions this is what happens. Mayor London Breed will scream foul for any problem that she perceives to be "not her fault" Macy's took a business decision because their SF store is underperforming, but maybe this Mayor should have a thought of why this flagship is failing, why are not people going to downtown SF and shopping? Opportunity she says, it's like a Shakespeare play where the fools have taken over the asylum.

[@mrcpaddler]

Let's not forget the pressing issue of renaming SF high schools, and removing statues. Perhaps the Macy's build can be converted into a western Presidential library honoring Carter, Clinton, Obama, and Biden. Almost forgot Linden Johnson.

[@SeattlePioneer]

> Before your time, I expect? Otherwise you would have known he was LYNDON! But that DOES sound like an opportunity to create a roster of "Presidents who ruined America." Would that include Jimmy Carter though? I see you left him out!

[@TG-hf1gx]

This is what happens when you stick your head in the sand.😑

[@johnnguyen4152]

Opportunity to convert those into 5 stars hotels for Homeless. Well said Breed. 😂

[@PritpalSingh-ys6ol]

What's gonna happen to the Cheesecake Factory on the top floor? Glad I was able to experience eating there back in the late 90's and early millenium.

[@MNP67]

Last Republican Mayor of SF. 1964.... only 1 party to blame for this disaster.

[@clintonreisig]

💯

[@theHAL9000]

"opportunity"? A once beautiful, unique, and prosperous city in accelerated decline doesn't strike me as much of an opportunity.

[@aeromtb2468]

what is the mayor smoking

[@samuelross9884]

I guess Macy's didn't like being robbed. Selfish of them, right?

[@Ryarios]

That’s 150 UNDERPERFORMING stores. Why are these stores underperforming? Where are the 150 stores located?

[@paulsuprono7225]

Rather tragic, California criminal code states that a crime has not occured until more than $1,000 in items are stolen ! 😬 🇺🇸 💀 👎

[@ivandragomiloff2356]

Why are politicians complaining? Their ideology brought this about! Why are people in the Bay Area shocked and complaining? They voted those same politicians, and espoused the same ideologies, that led to this closure!

[@stevenwilliambaylessparks3730]

Hello migrant housing

[@HuongBui-cy5rg]

Please vote all of them out if you want this city to survive.

[@slimjim8736]

Oh no not Macys it’s been there since I was a little kid this hurts what is going with San Fransisco!

[@Brian-sh4sm]

I’m voting for a straight, White, Male Republican for Mayor, enough of this BS 😊!

[@MrVarsityphysics]

Republican is enough. Straight and white was debunked by Brandon.

[@dcarr-kr7hk]

Good for Macy's! Why should they take great losses in a place that just doesn't care??

[@niosanfrancisco]

Oh LONDON, !

[@annakalaveras4127]

They're forcing us to shop online I love to shop in the stores where I can touch the item and look at it and then make a decision if I want to buy it or not

[@MarkJensen-se8nn]

*A new combined jail facility and shelter?* Regards-

[@MarcusFirst]

Democracy sometimes equal to no-accountability.

[@cvrart]

Really?!?!? San Francisco is the greatest city in the world?!?! I lived there for over two decades. There's lots to like, but is it the greatest city in the world?!!? Greater than New York? Greater than Paris? Greater than London? Greater than Venice?!?!? etc. etc. Not at all convinced. I sure hope SF can figure its sh* out and get back on its feet again.

[@a.m.6847]

Maybe san francisco should buy the macys store and the Westfield mall and house the homeless.

[@coronabuster3611]

I would never go to San Francisco today, I see nothing good about it on the news. Don't get me wrong, I think it's beautiful and interesting but the government has turned it into a cesspool. I don't understand voters who want crime, want people living on the streets, who think tax-payers deserve nothing. Macy's isn't the only one leaving, what business would stay when during interviews the owners and staff say that calling the police is useless and crime is rampant. I love how the mayor said it's an opportunity. It's not just her, it's everywhere, politicians telling bold, ridiculous lies.

[@masterstacker2833]

Leave while you still can.

[@utkbyuca89]

RIP SF 🪦🪦🪦☠️☠️🪦🪦

[@encinobalboa]

Doom loop. Good luck pulling out of the spiral.

[@granthartford]

To Wilson Walker and KPIX - well done! Great journalism

[@clintonreisig]

San Fran used to be the most beautiful city in the USA. Now: 💩

[@Kevin-wj4ed]

No law and order this is what you get!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@M13x13M]

Ha,ha . Opportunity? It was one of the only stores left. And SF and California have just passed more anti business ,anti landlord anti car laws. Looks like the laws are working. Have not seen any high heeled shoppers on the new and unused bike lanes yet.

[@chuck_in_socal]

I’m glad I got to experience San Francisco before it turned into a shit hole.

[@fobbitguy]

Plan? Hire cops, arrest and prosecute criminals. What else do you need to do

[@tuomasholo]

There are so many “opportunities” in downtown now, we’ll be offering the vacant spaces to homeless and illegals.

[@rogerodle8750]

Mayor London (please don't) Breed views the loss of Macy's west coast flagship store "as an opportunity". Like losing your home. Like losing an eye. Like losing your life savings. Opportunities all.

[@rogerforsberg3910]

When the Mayoress gave this assessment was she drunk or intoxicated? I fear that her judgment shows that she's either (a) in denial, or (b) she simply doesn't understand that failing businesses are toxic, & not positive indicators of economic health.

[@kelleyfisher6932]

Haven’t watched yet. I bet not one admits the problem or gives real solution.

[@samdoe5087]

New faces will not make any difference unless there are new attitudes. New faces with new promises will not make any difference unless they keep their promises. New York got new faces with big promises that none of them were kept. And just when we thought Chicago could not get any worse, new faces with big promises and it has turned into a third world city.

[@Jim-ni9ek]

What's the problem? This is exactly what they voted for.

[@primeholyassasin20]

Im shocked, always admired that store whenever I visited the Bay Area. Sign of the times. Every time I got off bart on a trip I usually stopped by once.

[@jeffrosati2570]

I'd be online looking to reserve a U-haul if I lived in SF.

[@rr5837]

If this closes union square is not gonna be the same. They rather be sell online than worry about looting.

[@morbottrooper4896]

The city leaders, SFPD, and mayor all made themselves look really bad as well when it came to the APEC event involving world leaders last year, all of the city management suddenly got their shit together and suddenly cleaned up downtown and moved the homeless somewhere but once the event ended of course it went back to how it was before

[@lloydc3742]

One party. No alternative opinions. Driving the bus right over the cliff. Then blame somebody else. Macy's leaving. Don't blame looters, blame internet purchasing. This downhill spiral was decades in the making. And they have a bag full of excuses.

[@chrisbrimhall1613]

It’s not hard….out of control crime….out of control homelessness……toxic tax burdens…….and they scratch their heads “ Why?”

[@MaxFromSydney1]

What an opportunity! Thank you, Mayor!

[@ellenrittgers990]

SF is way overdue for “ the big one “!

[@TrojanLuver7]

Businesses leaving the city!! Maybe Crime and homelessness, not safe to walk the streets!

[@rewindone]

Bring back parking!!!!!!!

[@danf321]

What an avoidance of the issue. The politicians skirt the issue that shoppers are tired of the violence and the filth and the smash-and-grab thefts. “No problem, it’s an opportunity.” Sheesh 🙄

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Ridiculous all these closings and retail stores locking uo in cases merchandise

[@underthebluetakemein.]

Wow.....Macy's smh

[@ryan5758]

That is genuinely devastating. The San Francisco people will still keep voting for very very far left policies still. They’ll continue going down hill. They legit won’t stop until the entire city is destroyed and they’d still vote the same way and scream about how amazing the city is.

[@markg1689]

The failure is on the voters.

[@JH-ex6mb]

Whole Foods closed the store 1 year after opening it. Changing retail?? NOT

[@Lora-G]

Market Street construction has been going on for years. The bums and addicts have been living on the streets for decades. This is a systematic downturn that needs foundational change. From cleaning up the homeless to tax reform. We need a top down -bottom up redo

[@AquaEternity]

I went in there recently to look for a shirt, and everything they sold was either junk or meant for 50+ year olds.

[@jackey8238]

"opportunity"... to replace YOU! Mayor London Breed!

[@SeattlePioneer]

I understand that San Francisco has a lengthy list of political reqirements of suppliers before the city will buy from them. This excited my interest and I'm applying my political standards in turn to San Francisco. I'm afraid that San Francisco is on my "fail" list ---- places that I will not visit or buy from as a result of this kind of scrutiny. I do want to thank San Francisco for bringing to my attention the need for such scrutiny before traveling to such cities.

[@dejavu9605]

SF and Oakland need a Rudy Giuliani type mayor to save them.

[@ddk21223]

What’s next?

[@neildepoy7329]

Maybe they heard about new regulations and super high electric bills incoming.

[@floxy20]

Whole Foods gone? Well, they say there's always a silver lining.

[@Victor-it6bv]

Maybe it's time to hire a man for the job.

[@MrVarsityphysics]

At one point stupid has to hurt or you don’t learn

[@ernesthofmeister3054]

Look at the fashion outfits on all these people, style, fashion and class have all disappeared from the society as a whole......stores like Macy's are a relic of a bygone era!

[@RanDom-Interloper]

I didn't even know that it was Macy's at Union Square. The last time I was there it was a Nordstrom. No reason to visit San Francisco, it is not coming back, at least a few more decades. They should just tear down these big buildings and turn it into a gigantic tent city for the homeless.

[@brentfisher6484]

Mayor Breed (and her fan club) IS the problem. Why doesnt the Board of Supervisors offer to furlow Macy's property taxes for say 3 years? That would be a huge help to them and it would allow the City to continue to receive Sales Tax revenue from the store's operations. The politicians are NOT business people and have '0' idea of what it takes to make payroll, sell a product, deal creatively with employees, hire/fire employees, etc. etc. Mayor Breed: "This is an opportunity..." What, huh? She and her acolytes are delusional. The continue to 'dance and set up deck chairs on the the sinking Titanic....'

[@danwillb]

It is an opportunity…to show the rest of the country how not to run a city.

[@e.tezani3877]

Retail is dying. If you can shop online with ease, then why go to the store. Sf needs a plan for downtown though

[@monicalugo7073]

He is complaining but is he going to still vote for the same crap?

[@josiekaposie5783]

It is the same in the UK and its all down to online shopping

[@michaelwells7348]

~ Bro.. why the Hell would you want to be the Mayor ?? they wil just Blame U for everything which u inherit ....... You can’t win in the City ~ and tax Revenue is going to be so Depleated~ the Best U could hope for is Going Backwards ...

[@jeffmorton5539]

Criminal, Drug, & Poop Sanctuary City.

[@CMRinehart]

Get out folks while you’re still alive. Get out.

[@billwatkins8227]

Make me an offer to go to SF, and watch me turn it down.

[@lmassimo846]

As long as the SF mayor is in charge nothing will get better.

[@justsayingforafriend7010]

Macy's is only closing stores in Demarcate run Cities....

[@TrojanLuver7]

Mayor...put a great spin on it!

[@morgantkm1]

Solutions, anyone? That might be nice.

[@kennethcarpenterii7636]

Ya, dont vote for communists. These people voted for this. Nancy Pelosi must be proud.