Articles and News

San Francisco, CA--In a heartfelt appeal, John Chachas, owner of the 166-year-old luxury department store Gump's San Francisco, warns that this might be the iconic store's final year of operation. Chachas has openly addressed Governor Newsom, Mayor London Breed and the city's Board of Supervisors through an open letter, urging them to tackle the deteriorating conditions of the city's downtown.

[Image courtesy of Google Street View]

Gump's, a landmark that emerged from the California gold rush era in 1861, is located just a block away from the city's Union Square. The store, specializing in luxury furnishings and jewelry, was taken over by Chachas after its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in 2018.

According to a CNN Business report, Chachas' letter sheds light on the adverse effects of the pandemic policies, including the rise in homelessness, open drug use, and public harassment, which have made San Francisco an inhospitable environment for its residents and visitors.

Despite its rich history, Gump’s isn't the sole retail casualty. The downtown Union Square vicinity has witnessed an exodus of more than 39 retailers since 2020, including big names like Whole Foods, Anthropologie, and Nordstrom. Westfield, the shopping mall operator, and Park Hotels and Resorts, owner of prominent hotels, have also flagged their intentions to depart, signaling a broader trend of businesses reassessing their commitments to the city.

Data from the San Francisco Police Department and a survey from the University of California underscore the city's challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for solutions.

Learn more in the entire CNN Business report.