By Evan Ward
Safeway’s Webster Street store in the Fillmore District is shutting down by Feb. 7, marking the end of a 40-year presence.
Despite community outcry, the grocery chain cited ongoing safety concerns and theft as reasons for the closure. Employees are set to be reassigned to other San Francisco locations.
Originally scheduled to close last March, Safeway delayed the move by 11 months, offering what it called a transition period for the neighborhood. The property is now under contract to Align Real Estate, which plans to develop mixed-use housing and retail space on the site.
The closure leaves the Fillmore and Japantown communities without a full-service grocery store, a loss that city officials warn will impact food access and quality of life. Supervisor Dean Preston has pushed for the city to seize the property through eminent domain, aiming to secure affordable housing and a replacement grocery store.
A report from the city’s Human Rights Committee highlights the critical role the store played in serving these neighborhoods. Meanwhile, a community protest and boycott are set to kick off Dec. 23, led by Rev. Erris Edgerly of the Fillmore United Alliance.
