One of the last remaining eateries in San Francisco's once-iconic downtown shopping centre has announced it will shut its doors next month, marking another bleak milestone in the mall's dramatic decline.
The Final Straw for a Fading Icon
Shake Shack has confirmed that its outlet inside the San Francisco Centre will cease operations on 14 December. A company spokesperson told the Daily Mail that the closure is a direct result of the property's recent sale, with the new owner requiring all tenants to vacate the premises.
The spokesperson stated, "We will unfortunately close our Shack at San Francisco Centre on December 14 because the property was sold to a new owner who is requiring all tenants to vacate." They emphasised that the company is focused on supporting its 26 team members, offering them all the chance to transfer to other Shake Shack locations in the Bay Area. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, most employees have accepted this offer. Those who decline will receive 41 days of back pay and benefits.
A Catastrophic Fall from Grace
The mall's fate was sealed in November when JP Morgan Chase purchased it at auction for just $133 million. This staggering sum represents a mere fraction of the centre's original $1.2 billion valuation, underscoring the severity of its downfall.
Opened in 1988, the seven-storey San Francisco Centre was for decades a bustling community hub and a major tourist draw. It became so famous that it inspired a local colloquialism: "meet me under the dome." However, the pandemic accelerated a decline from which it has never recovered. The exodus of major anchor stores in 2023, namely flagship Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's locations, signalled the beginning of the end.
Locals have watched the decay with dismay. San Francisco native Paula Reinda told CBS, "It was bustling. It was so busy you couldn't even walk. So, seeing it like this is just unbelievable." The mall's previous owners, who defaulted on loan payments and were forced to sell, blamed "unsafe conditions" and a "lack of enforcement against rampant criminal activity" in the downtown area for the collapse in footfall and tenancy.
A Glimmer of Hope Amidst the Emptiness
The statistics paint a dire picture. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the mall now leases only 9% of its available storefronts. Following Shake Shack's departure, the only food option left will be a Panda Express. A handful of other retailers, including H&M, Foot Locker, Aritzia, and Ray Ban, remain alongside services like Amazon lockers and eyebrow bars.
Mayor Daniel Lurie has addressed the situation, telling the Daily Mail his administration is working to revitalise downtown. "Since day one of our administration, we've been creating the conditions to bring businesses back downtown," he said, framing the mall's sale as "a critical step towards an exciting new chapter." He emphasised the need for "safe, clean streets" to reenergise the area.
The plight of the San Francisco Centre is not an isolated case. According to a report by Capitol One, an average of 40 shopping malls closed annually across the United States between 2017 and 2022. Studies project that by 2028, only about 900 will remain nationwide, highlighting a profound shift in retail and urban landscapes.
