The closure of a Whole Foods location just a year after its opening is the latest sign of serious crime and quality of life issues plaguing San Francisco.
The large Whole Foods store in the city closed down after being opened in 2022. It joins a number of other retail locations that closed due to the city’s high crime rate.
The market closed Monday following a number of serious crime and public disruption concerns. This includes the widespread use of drugs near the location. The store changed its bathroom policies last year after a number of drug pipes and syringes were found.
Visitors needed to show a receipt prior to using the bathroom. The store was located next to a safe drug use site. The store also restricted bathroom access because thieves would fill up suitcases with merchandise and bring them into the bathroom.
The bathroom was also tagged with graffiti.
The store also reported the use of its elevator to steal items such as hard liquor and ice cream.
The location had also cut its open hours following a rash of theft and hostile members of the public, some of whom were homeless or drug users.
Whole Foods CLOSES flagship location in San Francisco due to rising crime.
"If we feel we can ensure the safety of our team members in the store, we will evaluate a reopening…" – @WholeFoods
This is the result of far-left policies under Democrat Party leadership. pic.twitter.com/tswuo8CdK7
— Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) April 11, 2023
The city has seen a sharp increase in retail thefts and burglaries, including one case of a grocery store security guard shot.
Residents have reacted to the severe decline in the standard of living in the city. In 2022, residents recalled District Attorney Chesa Boudin.
More than 60% of residents voted to recall the district attorney that oversaw a sharp increase in the city’s crime rate. Boudin eliminated the city’s system of cash bail and significantly reduced criminal prosecutions in the city.
Boudin blamed his loss on donations from corporations and that efforts to prosecute criminals are an “addiction to caging human beings.”
Boudin’s parents were members of the left-wing terrorist organization Weather Underground. Both spent decades in prison stemming from their activities. Boudin’s father served 40 years on murder and robbery charges.
The former district attorney was raised by Bill Ayers, who co-founded the group.
