A beloved Starbucks in San Francisco, dubbed 'the clubhouse' by locals, is set to close its doors next month, prompting concern and a community rally. The closure highlights the ongoing challenges facing downtown San Francisco, while also emphasizing the importance of these gathering spaces for residents. Despite the closure, there are positive signs for the city's real estate market, with recent data showing a decrease in vacancy rates.
Almost five years after the start of the pandemic, downtown San Francisco still bears the scars of its impact, with numerous empty storefronts standing as reminders of the challenging times. One such vacant space is about to be created with the imminent closure of a beloved Starbucks , affectionately known as 'the clubhouse' by local residents. This closure, scheduled for February 9th, has sparked concern among the community who rely on the cafe as a central gathering point.
For Madeleine Trembley, a decade-long patron of the Starbucks located beneath her apartment at The Gateway, the news is particularly disheartening. Her daily ritual of enjoying a decaf cappuccino with soy milk, often accompanied by friends and fellow residents, is about to come to an end. 'We have no other place really to meet. And for instance, when I'm looking for board members and we want to interview them, we always meet here. It's the rally point, basically,' she lamented. The Starbucks at 99 Jackson Street has long served as a community hub, providing a welcoming space for neighbors to connect over coffee and conversation. James Seff, who resides across the street, echoed Trembley's sentiment, stating, 'We typically sit out here, have coffee and talk to whoever we're with. And it's really very pleasant. And it would be a shock to this neighborhood if we lose it.'In response to the impending closure, Seff and his neighbors organized a rally at their local Starbucks on Thursday afternoon, voicing their opposition and hoping to persuade management to reconsider. A Starbucks spokesperson issued a statement to CBS News Bay Area, explaining that the closure is part of their standard business practice to evaluate store performance and maintain a healthy portfolio. They emphasized that all Starbucks partners working at the store were offered the opportunity to transfer to nearby locations. The spokesperson also highlighted Starbucks' commitment to the San Francisco community through its Neighborhood Grants program, which provides small grants to local grassroots organizations. They pointed out that this year alone, $56,000 was awarded across 25 community organizations in San Francisco. However, residents remain unconvinced, arguing that closing a beloved community gathering spot contradicts Starbucks' stated values. Jay Folberg, another resident, expressed his disappointment, stating, 'It's probably bad for Starbucks. We can't second-guess their business plan but they do talk about the community center and wanting to become like an old neighborhood pub. And they're not walking the talk.' Despite the closure, there are signs of hope for San Francisco's real estate market. Recent economic data released by Cushman & Wakefield reveal a positive trend in vacancy rates since 2019. Robert Sammons, regional director of research for Cushman & Wakefield, stated, 'This is certainly the best quarter we had since the pandemic began in San Francisco. We had positive net absorption, which means we had positive absorption of office space in San Francisco. So, more move-ins than move-outs. Always good news for the office market for sure.' Sammons attributed the improvement to the return of office workers, particularly in the tech sector, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence. He observed that communities like Third Street Corridor, the Presidio, and Mission Bay have experienced the lowest vacancy rates, while neighborhoods like SOMA, Mid-Market, and Potrero Hill continue to struggle. Back on Jackson Street, the fate of the vacant Starbucks remains uncertain. While the closure casts a shadow over the community, residents remain hopeful that a new business will fill the void and continue to serve as a vibrant hub for their neighborhood
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