Local

Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack to close last San Francisco locations

Amanda Bartlett, SFGATE
May 2, 2023
Updated: May 2, 2023 1:49 p.m.



Nordstrom at Westfield San Francisco Centre is seen on May 2, 2023. The store is slated to close later this year.
Fiona Lee/SFGATE

Nordstrom is the latest retailer to depart downtown San Francisco, announcing plans to close both of its stores in the coming months, a spokesperson for the company told SFGATE Tuesday morning. ... The 40,000-square-foot Nordstrom Rack on 901 Market St. is set to shutter July 1, while the 312,000-square-foot Nordstrom at Westfield San Francisco Centre, one of the mall’s flagship stores, will follow suit and close for good by the end of August, the spokesperson said.

“Decisions like this are never easy, and this one has been especially difficult,” read a statement from Chief Stores Officer Jamie Nordstrom. “We’ve spent more than 35 years serving customers in downtown San Francisco, building relationships with them and investing in the local community. But as many of you know, the dynamics of the downtown San Francisco market have changed dramatically over the past several years, impacting customer foot traffic to our stores and our ability to operate successfully.”

The company did not immediately reply to SFGATE’s request for more information about why the stores are closing. A spokesperson for Westfield told SFGATE the closure of Nordstrom “underscores the deteriorating situation in downtown San Francisco.”

"A growing number of retailers and businesses are leaving the area due to the unsafe conditions for customers, retailers, and employees, coupled with the fact that these significant issues are preventing an economic recovery of the area," the statement from Westfield and its owner, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, continued. "URW has actively engaged with City leaders for many years to express our serious concerns, which are shared by our customers and retailers. We have urged the City to find solutions to the key issues and lack of enforcement against rampant criminal activity. The current environment is not sustainable for the community, or businesses, and we are hopeful the City will implement the changes that are so urgently needed."



Nordstrom at Westfield San Francisco Centre is seen on May 2, 2023. The store is slated to close later this year.
Fiona Lee/SFGATE

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Written By
Amanda Bartlett
Amanda Bartlett is a senior reporter for SFGATE covering culture, Bay Area history, science and breaking news. Prior to joining the newsroom in 2019, she worked for the Roxie Theater, Noise Pop and Frameline Film Festival. She lives in San Francisco with her rabbit, Cheeto. Send her an email at amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com.