San Francisco businesses shocked, worried by Macy’s planned closure

Kelsi Thorud reports on reactions to the announcement that Macy's will be closing.
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[@didymosprasinos]

No ones is "shocked" everytime a store closes in San Francisco anymore.

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the country. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? Your logic is flawed

[@MRD-ik8hv]

You're not a local that's why. It's been there for a long ass time and it's one of the biggest stores in downtown. Yes, that Macy's is important to the city's history. @@Ovprksdnw

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@Ovprksdnw lol. but SF has been having a lot of store closings lately. It's not a good trend in SF.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@Ovprksdnw a lot of shoplifting, smash and grabs, crime, drug users nearby. would you want to be there?

[@crinklecut3790]

When a city encourages lawlessness, it should come as no surprise that it doesn’t get to have nice things.

[@kennethtran4706]

they do it on purpose

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the country. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? Your logic is flawed

[@kennethtran4706]

@@Ovprksdnw nice assumptions with no research

[@Ovprksdnw]

@@kennethtran4706 Which "assumptions"? Macy's IS closing 150 stores throughout the entire country, it's a FACT. If Macy's closed only 1 store in San Francisco, then yes you could blame the city. But when a business is forced to close 150 stores, you blame the business

[@kennethtran4706]

@dnw learn before assuming. Stealing merchandise worth $950 or less is just a misdemeanor in California, which means that law enforcement probably won't bother to investigate, and if they do, prosecutors will let it go. No rules = theft = no business can stay in buisness.

[@omarinostroza8821]

No ones mentioned the shoplifting problem in San Francisco. I’m sure this is the main reason why it’s closing

[@patrickmccarthy6798]

That's what we told friends in San Diego when Target pulled out of a planned store in the East Village. They countered with, people are buying online so Target decided they didn't need another brick and mortar store. I don't really have an answer but I need to get back to Amazon and finish my order.

[@AVClarke]

No it's not. That is a lie that corporations tell you. The cost of employees and maintenance of brick and mortar stores compared to the cheaper online costs are the REAL reason why they're closing stores.

[@user-xr1xs1zy2z]

​@@AVClarkesmash and Grabs don't help.

[@nicholas1987ucsb]

Yep, it's a form of gaslighting. They won't even mention the reasons why.

[@milascave2]

@@patrickmccarthy6798 Amazon products suck, though.

[@jonnieinbangkok]

"Come back stronger and better..." Yeah keep telling yourself that John 😂 😂 😂

[@BajatheChickenMan]

lol what a fool.

[@Jnthncrrll]

OH YOU SHUT UP, JONNIE THE TRUMPSTER FREAK AND THAT IS SO NOT FUNNY!!!!!

[@lateblossom]

Toxic Positivity.

[@MichaelChengSanJose]

That Macy’s store survived the damn Great Depression and it only took London Breed a few years to kill it. Very sad.

[@safeandeffectivelol]

Don't forget to thank the mentally ill voters who elected Newsom and Breed

[@Rascal77s]

The voters of SF will continue to deny to themselves that they are the problem no matter how many businesses pack up and leave.

[@encinobalboa]

Productive businesses and people are leaving S.F. so there are fewer voters who are willing to change sides. This is the doom loop.

[@AndrewKehres11]

Sue or they might change your vote.

[@user-xr1xs1zy2z]

Cognitive Dissonance

[@Awesome_Aasim]

Macy's is just doing what they are doing to increase their bottom line, to be quite blunt. The reasons for chain stores moving out of the city are a lot more boring than "crime": It is more convenient for suburbanites who rely on these stores to go to their local mall than to go into the city. Unless if something is actively done to reduce suburban sprawl and revitalize city and town centers, this death spiral is going to continue nationwide. This is not the only Macy's slated for closure either.

[@brentfisher6484]

Well put. Sad in so many ways.

[@jasonsmith1143]

i was more shocked when the $900 shoplifting law became effective. so here are the wonderful results. dont forget the free needles that the city handed out

[@mrcpaddler]

News outlets need to stop blaming online shopping and the pandemic for these business closures. There are safe areas to shop, and the stores are remaining open there. Many areas are flourishing.

[@porsche187]

Thanks mayor breed for fostering such a “positive business climate”

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the country. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? Your logic is flawed

[@petermattei8510]

Not that The Breeder would even know how to read a balance sheet....

[@Ovprksdnw]

@@petermattei8510 You're vulgar, Peter. It's one thing to disagree with someone and quite another to rudely degrade them. You're so small 🤮

[@Ovprksdnw]

@@petermattei8510 Not that you Peter even know how NOT to be vulgar 🤮

[@Ovprksdnw]

@@petermattei8510 Do you degrade EVERYONE you disagree with?

[@kurtdobson]

They legalized crime, what did they expect?

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the COUNTRY. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? Your logic is flawed

[@travisfields157]

​@Ovprksdnw Because of this store's size and tenure. It's not like moving out of the mall. This one has a significance.

[@maxheadman59]

@@OvprksdnwDo you work for the governor of California?

[@Ovprksdnw]

@@maxheadman59 Nope, but I analyze data for a living. Most people hear seem to lack this skill, which I called out

[@maxheadman59]

@@OvprksdnwI'm sure you're quite good at cooking the books. Newsom and Flynn are indebted to your kind of service.

[@nicholas1987ucsb]

Congrats, London Breed! You destroyed the city.

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the COUNTRY. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? Your logic is flawed

[@karnubawax]

The Mayor doesn't have that much power in SF. The Board of Supes call the shots, and they make Breed look like Giuliani. The SFPD is useless. The DA's office basically duplicates what the public defenders' office does. The judges are completely out of touch. And the voters vote for it again and again. They got what they wanted.

[@safeandeffectivelol]

congrats to the voters

[@Jaycee3]

We’re watching the fall of one of the most iconic cities in the world.

[@Ovprksdnw]

By your logic, other 149 locations nationwide where Macy's is closing its stores are all dump too

[@jake1110]

@@Ovprksdnw Since 2019, 47% of businesses in Union Square have closed. Not just Macy's.

[@seantrentham9979]

It already fell LOL

[@nofurtherwest3474]

@@Ovprksdnw who are you, london breed's assistant? why are so many stores closing in SF? Didn't Westfield, owner of the big mall there, give the entire mall back to the bank?

[@BajatheChickenMan]

Deny reality and vote blue no matter who! - The San Francisco motto.

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the country. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? Your logic is flawed. I live in SF and the city is BOOMING. But you sound like someone living in the middle of nowhere and parroting MAGA's talking points (indeed a chicken-brained man). Maybe you should come here and see for yourself our $3M houses and AI-driven job market

[@aeromtb2468]

union square used to be the place to go just like the city.

[@HellaBay23]

John is in denial until he is affected.

[@clubmogambo3214]

The SF Macy's is the flagship for the entire western half of the country and is smaller only than the original in Manhattan. Only a shitbag city like San Francisco could cause this iconic store to close.

[@swedesam]

Unfortunately, the good old days are behind us and the future doesn't look bright.

[@Manifesting_Secret_Sketchbook]

Get out while u can, question is where is the safest place on earth to live with family AWAY from USA China Russia conflict?

[@Nogoingback424]

No please stay there. When they leave they bring their stupid policies with them and spread their misery.

[@erikh9991]

Life was constantly improving until the recession of 2008. Everything has stagnated and started aging. The only thing new the kids will invest in are Iphones and updates.

[@KB-ke3fi]

It was before Biden got inserted.

[@largol33t12]

Oh, NOW they're worried? Remember that huge mall called Westfield San Francisco?? It was almost 4 stories tall and it closed its doors a few years ago... I can't imagine how many jobs were lost that time.

[@ronaldmcdonald3965]

Still plenty of Activists and politicians who think everything is fine in SF okie, dokie Just keep what you're doing And they will wonder what happened when the end game comes

[@elipalacios5003]

I love seeing it. The downfall of San Francisco! lol

[@ronaldmcdonald3965]

@@elipalacios5003 The Activists paint their fairly tale solutions with beautiful words. A create more nonsense to describe the outcomes of their failed policies. It is pretty wild to listen to them. And if you disagree the start name calling, insults, shaming language.

[@shrim1481]

​@@elipalacios5003how are you enjoying flyover land? Going to church and Walmart on a loop for the rest of your life?

[@jonnieinbangkok]

The voters of San Fiasco have been voting for all the Democrat Party woke nonsense for decades so I assume they're perfectly happy with what Urine Square and the rest of the city has become.

[@middleguy1776]

​@@shrim1481could you possibly be more ignorant? Just curious

[@RobustArid379]

Mayor is in denial about her failure to do anything about this situation

[@davepenniman2847]

Breed says the city & stores are doing great

[@russelltate1394]

The powers that be will want to turn want to turn Macy's into a homeless shelter. R.I.P. San Francisco, the end of an era and a Once Incredible City.

[@celestialblue7229]

It really was such a fun city to visit, I will miss it.

[@russelltate1394]

@@celestialblue7229 I as well, I lived in Marin County for 20 years

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the COUNTRY. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? Your logic is flawed

[@russelltate1394]

@@Ovprksdnw STFU, you're obviously clueless

[@safeandeffectivelol]

Homeless illegal immigrants from Congo and Haiti

[@middleguy1776]

If this shocks anyone they live under a rock

[@Sandalphon444]

John is just sad he won’t have foot traffic

[@utrich31]

Macy's location is an iconic location and still closed down. What makes the Grill owner think he can survive with nobody around? SF and California in general are more worried about illegal migrants and DEI initiatives instead of keeping businesses around.

[@TomSmith-ls5rn]

SF and the rest of California live in constant denial.

[@Ivan.A.Churlyuski]

And the rest? You know California is the largest Republican state in the nation right? More Trump 2020 voters than Texas. There’s large areas of the state run completely different than San Francisco and Los Angeles.

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the country. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? By your logic, the entire country is in denial

[@safeandeffectivelol]

@@Ovprksdnw denial lol

[@politicsuncensored5617]

Cal. keep raising taxes and leaving your southern border wide open. Soon a lot more businesses will be closing and maybe your state can be adopted by Mexico~! Shalom

[@rw4022]

The entire shopping area is closed which is something that has never happened. This guy is crazy if he thinks his business is going to survive.

[@uniqueauction]

Good Bye- Macy's. Another bites the dust. Welcome to SF...

[@gridley]

Unlike cities similar to Detroit, SF has better built-in qualities. Better weather, better scenery, better demographics---more affluent residents than Motown. But because the Bay Area's politics are so dogmatic (SF's in particular), SF might just as well be Baltimore, St Louis or Cleveland.

[@Divedown_25]

How can business owners be shocked? The shop is underperforming and for sure, retail theft in that shop is a most probably one reason but the major reason is that the US population love of online shopping.

[@dilvishpa5776]

Prior to its slide into decrepitude, my wife and I used to visit SF almost annually (we live in Pennsylvania). The town was crowded with tourists, so the shoppers were mainly tourists. Online shopping doesn’t impact tourist shopping behavior. The city killed its tourism industry by creating a situation that makes tourists feel unsafe and disgusted. Tourists have options. I haven’t visited in years, and have lost interest even if they turn things around.

[@itweety21]

London re election is over lol. Save your money London just step aside.

[@coachfive9656]

The Bay Area looks like a third world dump ! Thanks Gavin Newsom and London breed

[@manonamission2000]

third world... is it surprising tho?

[@user-xr1xs1zy2z]

Courtesy of City and State Sheep Voters.

[@MichaelChengSanJose]

Uh, did you even watch the segment? It was about Union Square in SF, not the Bay Area which is doing just fine.

[@Zorn76]

Bs^

[@elvismirapocasangre2630]

Wake up buddy ​@MichaelChengSanJose

[@Not_So_Weird_in_Austin]

Duh, Union Square is no longer safe and you can't blame Trump....

[@ratfinkie62]

We can blame Dump for everything else.

[@hopemanley4358]

Good for Macy's, hurray for all businesses that say, "Enough".

[@MarkJohnson-dx6tk]

Saw another story that attributed the closure to shoplifting losses, per Macy's.

[@PiggyFuktoy]

That Macy's looks nothing like the one I worked a block from some 40 years ago but still extremely sad to think of more of my memories slipping away

[@karnubawax]

I lived in SF for 25 years, and for most of that time I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. Today I wouldn't spit on it from a moving car. The people living here are in total denial.

[@m3drivr]

I think some context here is also needed. Macy’s has been struggling for the last 5 years (just look at their stock price). Its is shocking and sad but not too entirely unexpected. Their business struggles, coupled with probably the increased theft in their stores, resulted in the decision. BUT, SF does have an image and crime problem; I personally haven’t visited the city in the last 5 years… b/c I’ve haven’t had a need and I don’t want to deal with a broken car window. The homeless issue was getting worse in 2016-2018, but it has expanded since then. All this, I place the feet of the Governor, State Legislature and Mayor. No excuses here, you’ve had a lot time to address this. No wonder crime increased.

[@peterbedford2610]

Yes, Macys is bombing everywhere. And many cities are experiencing a down town decline. SF is just having the worst of it with 35% commercial vacancy and poor city management.

[@davidpulido2942]

Why would anyone be shocked when a major retailer closes in California.

[@devonforsure260]

Businesses: we dont want to be here anymore Major cities: why????

[@brentfisher6484]

For the record: Macy's purchased the department store O'Connor/Moffat and reopened as Macy's around 1947 as Macy'c California.

[@RandomDude19868]

Good move Macys. There are literally 10,000 better cities to do business in.

[@jt-fv6ez]

You get what you voted for😆😆😆

[@celestialblue7229]

The votes are also rigged so even if they wanted anything to change, it won't unless they make it extremely difficult to cheat.

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the country. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? Your logic is flawed. I live in SF and the city is BOOMING. But you sound like someone living in the middle of nowhere and parroting MAGA's talking points. Maybe you should come here and see for yourself our $3M houses and AI-driven job market

[@dtsh4451]

@@OvprksdnwMacy San Francisco is considered the iconic of San Francisco shopping experience and you just equate its value to any of the other 149 stores. What does that say? Keep coping as long as it makes you feel good🤡

[@tarokame1530]

What about we all go back our countries?

[@petermattei8510]

WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW??? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!

[@RK-xv1si]

Shoplifting is the main reason they don’t want to admit that, if you steal items worth $900 and work out without prosecuted what do you think. I feel for all businesses in San Francisco. Please Walgreens and target close down your stores please!

[@Ovprksdnw]

150 Macy's stores are closing throughout the COUNTRY. Why single out San Francisco and not other cities? Your logic is flawed

[@RK-xv1si]

@@Ovprksdnw all stores are closing coz of theft we watch news all the times . San Francisco is worse than other cities!

[@WR-NC-ASPL]

​@@Ovprksdnw.. so, are you telling that stealing below $900 should not be a crime?

[@Ovprksdnw]

@@WR-NC-ASPL I'm telling you that this has NOTHING to do with Macy's closing 150 stores across the country, with one of them being in San Francisco. You're talking about apples and oranges

[@Great-Documentaries]

I'm only shocked that an overpriced 1980s-style department store like Macy's didn't go out of business at the turn of the Century. But I see the Russian bots are here leaving divisive comments about SF itself. As if these types of stores haven't been closing in EVERY red state as well.

[@helpyourcattodrive]

We live in a third world country. Bye, america. It’s been nice.

[@shrim1481]

Don't let the door hit you on your way out

[@ty5967]

San Francisco is doing fine. No loss that Macy's is leaving. The mayor is doing a fine job along with the best governor CA has ever had.

[@jake1110]

You must be on anti-depressants or something to actually believe this.

[@karnubawax]

HAHAHAHAHA! That was the best laugh I've had all day!

[@maytwu5044]

retail theft and no arrest and more will close

[@Victor-it6bv]

Protestors should guilt Macy's into losing more money by staying.

[@craiglee3253]

For years Macy's has been struggling and there have been hints of need for reductions for a long time. If the people there are shocked, then they must be either mentally challenged or living in a bubble.

[@Mr.PhatsVarietyVibesShow]

I'm heart broken I have been shopping at this location since the 70's for all my leisure suits ,but now since they closing shop where will I go now? so heart broken...

[@migzz7976]

People pause for a little longer and then go right back to shopping online.

[@harmonk8012]

I haven't been to that Macy's or downtown in decades even though I live in the city. It's unsafe and anti automobiles. I pack up my family and go to Stonestown, Serramonte, or to the malls in the south bay.

[@chefarm9798]

I'm sure Gavin Newsom and London breed are very very pleased with this.. the demise of San Francisco continues.. San Francisco residents clearly ❤️ love this.. why else would they keep voting these people in 😊

[@te1ephraq]

City could buy the store and make an ongoing alphabet convention! You heard they need "artists" to revive the city spirit!

[@tomaguchi3650]

Simple problem is Californian bots will still vote for Adam Schiff and Gavin Newsome.

[@hoangluong6602]

Steal. Shoplifter, very bad in California.

[@ganeshmanyam98]

People should also check on MACY's stock performance and its earnings before commenting with political bias.

[@dilvishpa5776]

My wife and I used to visit SF regularly. We loved the city. Now, you would need to pay us a large sum of money to even think about visiting, so I guess we will not be visiting again.

[@richal4596]

Shoplifting and car break-ins. After replacing multiple car windows, customers steer clear.

[@pamelawing5747]

Union Square makes my cry. I lived in Marin and went into The City often. Shopping days with my mom and friends. I wore a suit, gloves, heels, sometimes a hat. There were elevator operators, there was all the stores that gentleman talked about, and then lunch in China Town. We never left without a stop at Blums for a hot fudge sunday and get a few slices of their Swiss Chocolate rolls. Just off the square was Britex Fabrics, 11 floors of fabric. I was sewing in those days. Britex exists but it's a shadow of what it was. There was a theatrical fabric store around the corner and that's where I would go for the sparkle, sequins, buttons, trims. Do NOT forget Blums and Sloans Furniture. My husband and I would go into The City on a Saturday and spend the day in Gumps and Sloans, fantasizing about what we would buy when we finally got our house. Christmas? Just magic.

[@jeffrosati2570]

Why should any non demented person be shocked? SF residents and businesses did it to themselves. The owner of Johns is like the captain of the Titanic!

[@ninobrown90]

the animals losing views in the windows is the worst :( screw the store save the animals

[@DK412724]

This is the Utopia everyone has been voting for. People forget equity doesn't necessarily mean prosperity. Equity can exist in many forms, even poverty and destitution.

[@ivandragomiloff2356]

Why are people upset? Isn’t this what they wanted, and what they voted for?

[@Penske_Logistics_Roseburg-Ore]

I remember coming from Roseburg, Oregon to visit San Francisco with my family and all of my siblings 5 sisters and we had a blast there in Union Square. San Francisco seem very nice a much cleaner back then in the early 1980s and some bums, but nothing like it is today. Today's San Francisco scares me and my much younger children who are toddlers. They see the zombies all out there bent over on most of the streets and so much garbage all over the place. So sad that the City of San Francisco has degraded itself.

[@safeandeffectivelol]

The zombies there claim SF has never been safer and cleaner because that's what their masters tell them.

[@RacecarSpelledBackwards71]

Build Back Better in action.

[@edwinsim7206]

Hmm... to those deniers who claims that Macy's is closing plenty pf stores and has nothing to do with San Francisco. When you close your flagship store, that is saying something. You can close many more stores but your flagship store is a statement. It's a harbinger of things to come in SF looking at the exodus. Look at all the tourists who on their first day to visit the (once) iconic city and have their car broken into or belongings stolen, you think they will ever consider coming back of recommend friends to come visit? Thought so.

[@karenlenhert7911]

How sad :( we cancelled a trip to San Fransico and New York due to crime, homelessness ect. Wake up liberal politicans people are aware of your crime problem and don't want to be a victim of it

[@karlwiese9462]

You can't blame them it's a s*******

[@Ovprksdnw]

By your logic, other 149 locations nationwide where Macy's is also closing its stores are sh*t too. Funny how you don't mention those other locations though

[@PresidentBob1989]

Go woke go broke

[@operavin]

150 Macy’s stores are closing. The brand is dying.

[@jasontomica8938]

WHO CARES, ITS ALL ONLINE!!!!!

[@ispeedtoo]

I used to work in Silicon Valley and went to the City weekly. Today You could not pay me go there. Sorry but you reap what you sow and the city is weak shadow of what it was and the people that run the city are the reason it is gotten so bad!

[@kennethso6811]

Macy is the JcPenny and Sears of our generation. They are going out of business soon

[@monkmysterio]

i feel so sorry for that city

[@kennethtran4706]

no one is shocked

[@hummersd]

1. Like the Grill guy said, they've seen other retailers come and go, so this isn't new, even if Macy's was there for a hundred years. 2. Although people have fond memories going to that store, you still get to keep that memory. You have to put it in perspective that nothing lasts forever. The store has undoubtedly gone through renovations over the years and isn't the same as it was when you were a kid. Make new memories at other places in the city, as those places likely won't be around or be the same version when you're older.

[@harrisoakley711]

Thanks to your votes.

[@cvcfoundation8413]

Meanwhile 1 hour south of SF, Valley Fair mall in San Jose is killing it, highest revenue mall in America, absorbing customers from all over the Bay Area.

[@judyhu8615]

They are so out of touch, don't know what's going on.

[@user-nz5ej2bi1c]

Stay the course don’t be a racist After reparations everyone will get along Also eat more leafy greens

[@MRD-ik8hv]

reparations for who? get over it losers.

[@lateblossom]

Looks like John has a case of Toxic Positivity.

[@cynthiamadrid1430]

My Aunt, "Hat and gloves today... we are going to the CITY!".

[@casienwhey]

Don't be sad. Be happy you got what you voted for.

[@GregorySloanCLUChFC]

Macy's is rich they don't care about how this affects the homeless shoplifters.

[@macariorosas303]

Thanks to all the maya Tsss

[@ladhkay]

Good. SF ppl will only learn the hardway

[@richard09able]

A 95 year old store closing? Sad 😔

[@JoeOvercoat]

John: “Everything is going to be fine.”

[@wondereagle]

I shop from Amazon. I haven’t been downtown for years.

[@markdc1145]

Y'all voted for this!

[@LeeRCGaS]

online shopping hurt macy sales, but london breed, gavin newsmen and the homeless drug situation, definitely finished it.

[@susanmascitelli6219]

It’s not just Macy’s in SF, there are 150 Macy’s stores that are set to close their storefronts. They just don’t have the customers they once did because their quality isn’t as good as it once was. Between online shopping and other stores offering similar products at a lower price people are going to shop where they get the best deals. Rent and overall expenses for storefronts are huge and since the voters voted on prop 47, that has made a huge difference for the stores that are getting robbed blind and nothing is getting done about it. Voters need to read what they are voting for and not just fill in the bubble on their ballot!

[@timetrialist]

Mayor London Breed living the high life in her mansion why would she care about all this nonsense! 😂

[@donotcare000]

Maybe they should have done something about the stealing at Macy's

[@theHAL9000]

While there are various factors involved in the city's decline the biggest one is probably the residents who in recent decades have voted for foolishness over sound civic management. Case study on how to turn a beautiful prosperous city into a increasingly tacky overpriced sad place.

[@rosedavila3547]

Sf use 2 b the most beautiful city 4 such a long time

[@ebadd3468]

Everything is fine