‘It’s a bit of shock,’ Shopper says after five stores leave ghost California mall in a month – leaving it 75% empty - TalkLPnews Skip to content

‘It’s a bit of shock,’ Shopper says after five stores leave ghost California mall in a month – leaving it 75% empty

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SHOPPERS shared their surprise following a visit to a nearly desolate mall that used to be one of the country’s busiest.

Most stores in the San Francisco Centre mall have shut their doors in the past few years supposedly due to several factors, including rising crime rates.

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The San Francisco Centre mall has faced a crisis as more and more of its stores shut downCredit: Getty
Two shoppers described their shock when they visited the mall

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Two shoppers described their shock when they visited the mallCredit: Getty

The downtown shopping area has faced a slew of closures with the mall currently at a 25% occupancy rate.

A mother and daughter, on a shopping trip to the mall, shared their negative thoughts on the situation, according to the MailOnline.

Tara Button explained how the mall had drastically changed since her last visit in 2019.

“Five years ago, this place was thriving,” she said.

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“It’s a bit of a shock, it’s very sad.”

The pair also complained about the area surrounding the mall which they said they had to walk through.

“We were scared which bothers me,” Button added.

The mall has been plagued with store closures as five retailers left the premises in January alone, The U.S. Sun previously reported.

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These stores include J. Crew, Adidas, Lucky Brand, Aldo, and Madewell.

This mall’s 25% occupancy rate is staggeringly low compared to the 93% average across the US.

The San Francisco Centre also faced a major shake-up last summer when its former operators, Westfield and Brookfield Properties, handed back the retail space to its lender.

“For more than 20 years, Westfield has proudly and successfully operated San Francisco Centre, investing significantly over that time in the vitality of the property,” the company said at the time.

Westfield also described “challenging operating conditions in downtown San Francisco” leading to a decline in sales and footfall. 

Wade Rose, the president of the business advocacy group Advance SF, told ABC News that several dynamics were to blame for the challenges the mall has faced.

Rose added that crime made up “part of the narrative. It isn’t the full narrative.”

Five stores have closed already in January including Aldo and Madewell

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Five stores have closed already in January including Aldo and MadewellCredit: Getty
The mall has a 25% store occupancy rate while the US average sits a 93%

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The mall has a 25% store occupancy rate while the US average sits a 93%Credit: Getty

https://www.the-sun.com/news/10220195/westfield-shock-shopper-san-francisco-california-mall/