A San Francisco business that has served the community for 35 years is to close its doors for the final time later this week after enduring shoplifting on a daily basis alongside a spate of break-ins.
The owners of Bayside Market, situated in the city's South Beach area, say the constant thefts alongside a lack of action by local law enforcement has made the situation 'unbearable' and shutting up shop is now the only option.
Co-owner David Pesusic has said costs and crime were the driving factors behind the decision to close. He lays the blame squarely at inaction by local politicians.
'Our family business is going down the tubes because the idiots in City Hall can't protect us,' he told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Bayside Market, situated in the city's South Beach area, say the constant thefts alongside a lack of action by local law enforcement means the place will close this week after 35 years
In a letter to customers posted to the door Courtesy David Pesusic expanded on his comments and explained his reasons for closing down after more than three decades in business
In a letter to loyal customers posted to the door, David Pesusic expanded on his comments and explained his reasons for closing down after more than three decades in business.
'All city hall cares about is the homelessand the fentanyl crisis, not the everyday law-abiding citizens trying to make a living,' Pesusic wrote in a latter taped to Bayside Market's front door.
Pesusic said that city officials were doing nothing to stop open drug use nearby nor helping to prevent daily thefts from the store.
'To that effect, having to deal with shoplifters every day and multiple break-ins has just become unbearable, especially when law enforcement doesn't arrest and city hall doesn't prosecute,' he wrote.
'We've had numerous incidents with shoplifters,' Pesusic told SFGate. 'We've called the police, and they don't show. How do you stay in business when there's no one to show up and help? It's absolutely frustrating.'
An increase in the electric bill to $8,000 a month, together with a dip in sales with the store's lease coming to an end, were all factors in the store's coming closure.
City officials appear to be doing little to stop open drug use nearby nor helping to prevent daily thefts from the store
The co-owner of Bayside Market says he feels there is complete indifference about the incidents of theft by local police and no longer calls to report crimes because no one shows up
A map reveals the major businesses which have left, or have announced they are leaving, San Francisco in recent months. Retailers like Whole Foods, Anthropologie, Old Navy, AmazonGo, Saks Off Fifth and now American Eagle are among those taking part in the mass exodus
ButPesusic cites the constant incidents of shoplifting as one of the main reasons for calling it quits.
'There are too many cons, so we decided to close the store. It's sad, because we've been there for 35 years,' Pesusic said.'We shouldn't be in this situation, but we can't survive.'
Three weeks ago staff attempted to prevent an individual who was about to make off with several items when they suddenly became violent towards workers.
The man took off his belt and began swinging the metal buckle portion of the strap over his head. Out of concern for customers Pesusic called 911 for assistance but nobody showed up.
Manager at the store Ricardo Quintero agrees there have been more crime related incidents in the last few years including two break-ins at the store within the last two years.
He feels there is complete indifference about the incidents from local police and no longer calls to report crimes.
'We were looking and hoping for changes, but it doesn't seem like there are changes on the horizon,' Quintero said.
The desolate reality of San Francisco's hollowed out city center was laid bare earlier this year by footage showing every store in an entire retail block shuttered and empty.
The prime real estate was once home to outlets including Uniqlo, H&M, Rasputin Records, and Lush, but all have disappeared in a city center plagued by crime, drugs, and homelessness.
San Francisco is reeling from soaring crime, an emptying downtown, and residents moving away to safer, cheaper areas
The tech worker from Austin was left stunned by his visit to the Bay Area, which is in the grip of a drugs crisis. Pictured: Homeless people using drugs in the city in 2022
Crime in the city actually went down in the first quarter of 2024 with decreases in every major crime category trackedincluding homicide, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, arson, larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft.
But part of the reason may be due to the fact fewer people are bothering to report it.
'We don't even call 911 anymore because they don't respond,' Pesusic said to the Chronicle. 'This isn't fun, playing security-slash-police officer, trying to hold on to my inventory.
'These guys think our store is a pantry where they can take whatever they want. We've been spit at, we've had knives pulled on us, we've been called names,' Pesusic said.
Some of the 12 workers at the store will move to a second location while the rest will be laid off.
Matt Dorsey, who sits on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors says he understands whyPesusic is pulling down the shutters.
'I don't blame anybody who is giving up and it breaks my heart to see it,' Dorsey said to the Chronicle. 'I feel like I need to apologize on behalf of my city.'
Dorsey has said that it is drug use combined with an ineffective drug policy that has whipped up the perfect storm.
Lax bail reform policies see anyone caught stealing or facingdrug possession charges simply released back onto the street, sometimes later that same day. It gives little disincentive to prevent repeat offender from carrying out their crimes.
'It's not helping small businesses, like Bayside Market, which are facing rampant drug-driven theft and violence, and least of all, it's not helping anyone with a substance use disorder,'Dorsey said. 'I think we have to take more coercive interventions.'
The Mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, has said the time for compassion is over when it comes to dealing with the city's homeless crisis which has left streets caked in excrement
Earlier this summer, the fed up Mayor of San Francisco has said the time for compassion is over as she announced plans to tackle the city's homeless crisis which has left locals fearing for their safety.
Mayor London Breed revealed the city is set to take a 'very aggressive' approach to remove encampments from the streets which have blighted the City by the Bay for the past four years.
Certain parts of the city, including the troubled Tenderloin district have become known for theirsqualor and misery, becoming so bad that local businesses unable to recruit staff and residents have felt forced to flee.
The crime-ridden downtown area has seen the closure of many shops and restaurants since its drastic downfall, despite Breed attempting to hype statistics claiming offenses went down in 2023.
In October 2023, it was reported that seven Starbucks stores were planning to close as the city continues to deal with crime, drug use, and homelessness.
At the end of August 2023, video was released showing San Francisco's newly shut-down flagship Nordstrom store that was almost barren after nearly three decades in business.
Homeless people congregate downtown, pushing their possessions in shopping carts or sitting on duffle bags, awaiting city services such as referrals for shelter, food or clothing, or mental health and substance abuse treatment.
