Robert GrahamAnother retailer is fleeing Union Square in downtown San Francisco — this time, a century-old haberdashery known for its hats, which is leaving what was once one of the most desirable retail locations in America.
The departure of Goorin Bros. from its Union Square location is the latest sign that pandemic lockdowns, the shift to work-from-home in the tech industry; soaring crime in the city; and persistent homelessness are having a devastating effect on the city’s downtown.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Thursday:
Goorin Bros. boutique at 111 Geary Street went dark on June 23 amid the city’s struggles to lure back tourists and office workers. San Francisco is also steadily losing cafes and restaurants, and nearly a third of its offices sit empty.
“It’s never an easy decision but it was time,” a company representative wrote in a statement. “There are a number of reasons I’m sure but really it was our smallest location and there’s just been a shift in business plan/direction over the last few years. We have a large store in North Beach still.”
