Union Square Alliance Addresses Macy's Closure Plans

SAN FRANCISCO — The Macy's flagship store at Union Square in San Francisco is closing as part of the department store chain's plans to close about 150 stores nationwide.

Macy's on Tuesday announced the plans to close about 150 "underproductive" locations by 2026, including about 50 by the end of this fiscal year.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement that she was informed that Macy's is looking to sell the property, but that the Union Square store will not be part of the first wave of closures.

"The process to undergo the sale of their building to a new owner with their own vision for this site will take time, and Macy's will stay open for the foreseeable future and people will remain employed at the store," Breed said.

"As someone who grew up in San Francisco, Macy's has always meant a lot to the people of this city. It's where families came to shop for the holidays. It's where many people from my community got their first jobs, or even held jobs for decades. It's hard to think of Macy's not being part of our city anymore," the mayor said.

"The city will continue to work closely with Macy's and any potential new owner to ensure this iconic location continues to serve San Francisco for decades to come. I'm also continuing to talk to leaders in retail, business, and real estate about how we can continue to focus on the long-term success of this site and others," she said.

Union Square Alliance Responds

The Union Square Alliance, a collective of business owners in the neighborhood's 27-block radius, issued a statement about the planned closure.

"Macy's at Union Square is not closing their store until a buyer can be found for their building. Macy's will remain open and could still be open for years to come. In all likelihood, there will be a holiday shopping season and Macy's great tree in 2024," said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance.

"Having said that, the situation is fluid and there is no getting around the fact that this announcement hurts. For generations, Macy's has been synonymous with Union Square. I believe that we should work toward a solution that allows Macy's to keep this iconic store open. However, if that does not come to pass, our expectation is that a new owner for this iconic site will come forward to continue a fresh and vibrant vision at this critical location," Rodriguez said.

The planned closure is the latest hit to the retail industry in San Francisco. Last June, Westfield announced plans to give up its mall along Market Street that at 1.2 million square feet is the largest shopping center in the city.

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