Safeway announced Tuesday it will close a San Francisco location due to theft. The decision was shared in a letter to Mayor London Breed.
The Fillmore neighborhood store faced "ongoing concerns about associate and customer safety, as well as persistent issues with theft," the letter said. Current employees will be reassigned to other locations, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Safeway joins other businesses, like Walgreens, that have been hit hard by theft in the area. Recently, San Francisco police arrested eight juvenile suspects tied to 23 retail incidents at various Walgreens stores in the Bay Area.
"We remain committed to serving San Francisco at our 15 remaining locations," Safeway said. "Our unionized workforce deserves safe and secure working environments."
Some community members oppose the closure. Rev. Erris Edgerly expressed frustration over the lack of communication with residents.
"It’s obvious the community has been struggling, but to just up and leave without a meeting is upsetting," Edgerly told the Chronicle. "There was no community outreach at all."
He added, "This is going to have a big impact. I hoped they’d come to the table and say, ‘Let’s work it out.’"
Safeway called the decision difficult but necessary. "We appreciate the time and resources invested in trying to help us stay open, but the challenges are too great to overcome," the company stated.
Mayor Breed, who recently lost her re-election bid to Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie, said she was "saddened" by the closure.
San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston also weighed in, saying the city should consider acquiring the site. "This could guarantee a future grocery store and affordable housing," he said.
Safeway and Breed’s office have not yet commented on the matter.