RIP Franchises of our youths

[Drunk Monk]

Fillmore Safeway to close due to safety concerns after push to keep store open
by: Phil Mayer
Posted: Dec 10, 2024 / 06:12 PM PST

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — An embattled Safeway in San Francisco will close nearly a year after city leaders successfully pushed to keep it open. Safeway told KRON4 on Tuesday that its location in the Fillmore neighborhood will close due to issues with safety and theft.
Safeway had originally planned to close the store at 1335 Webster St. in early 2024, but city leaders such as Mayor London Breed and Supervisor Dean Preston convinced the grocery chain to keep the 40-year-old store open. Eleven months later, the store announced its last day will be on or around Feb. 7.
“We are proud of our 40-year history serving the Fillmore district and are thankful to the residents, customers, and community partners who have supported us over the years,” Safeway said in a statement.
Safeway said it kept the store open to “provide a greater transition period for the community.” After the initial plans to close were announced in January, local residents worried that it would create a food desert.
However, Safeway will move forward with the closure “due to ongoing concerns about associate and customer safety, as well as persistent issues with theft.”
There were several instances of crime at or near the store. Several weeks ago, San Francisco police shot and killed a dog at the store parking lot after attacks on a smaller dog and a pedestrian. The store also closed its self-checkout stations due to shoplifting.
Store employees will be reassigned to one of the other 15 Safeway locations in San Francisco. Safeway workers are available to help transfer pharmacy customers to a location of their choice.
“We are actively working on a transition plan to ensure a smooth and secure closure of the store, while allowing for continued access and traffic flow to neighboring businesses,” Safeway said.
Safeway is working with Align Real Estate to replace the store with a project that plans to include housing and commercial space.
However, Sup. Preston said in a statement Tuesday that he believes the best option to provide a grocery store and affordable housing is for the City of San Francisco to buy the site.

I know this Safeway. I often pass it on the way to the Fillmore or Japantown. Definitely a sketchy 'hood.