The North Face, a well-known outdoor clothing and gear company, is set to close its only store in its hometown of San Francisco. The store, located in the Union Square area, will shut its doors on March 31, leaving behind a city that has been marred by issues such as drugs, homelessness, and crime.
The closure of the 180 Post Street store comes as a surprise to many, given the brand’s deep roots in the city. The company was founded in San Francisco in 1964, making the Union Square location its sole presence in the city.
Hailey Albright, a spokesperson for The North Face, expressed sentiments of nostalgia, stating, ‘The North Face was born in San Francisco, and we have cherished the time spent here, building roots and creating lasting memories.’
Despite the sentimental attachment, the retailer has not provided a clear reason for the closure of its flagship store. This move marks a significant shift for the company, which has a rich history tied to the city.
The North Face’s origins trace back to San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, where the company’s founders, Douglas and Susie Tompkins, established a small mountaineering retail store in 1966. Over the years, the brand expanded and eventually moved to the Berkeley area, where it began designing and manufacturing its own line of technical mountaineering apparel and equipment.
In 2000, the Tompkins sold their stakes to VF Corporation, a retail giant that also owns popular brands such as Vans, Timberland, and JanSport. The closure of the Union Square store signifies a shift in the company’s retail strategy, as it will now maintain only a handful of stores in the Bay Area, including locations in Santa Clara, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, and Palo Alto.
The decision to close the San Francisco store raises questions about the impact of urban challenges on retail businesses. As the city grapples with issues of drugs, homelessness, and crime, major retailers like The North Face are reevaluating their presence in the area. The move underscores the broader implications of urban revitalization and its effects on longstanding businesses deeply rooted in the city.
