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A BELOVED supermarket is shutting down after nearly 40 years in business due to high levels of crime in the area.
Bayside Market has been a part of the South Beach neighborhood in San Francisco for 35 years, however, it has been subjected to a recent series of break-ins and shoplifting.
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Because of this, the store is closing permanently this week.
David Pesusic, who co-owns Bayside Market, placed a sign outside the store on Tuesday to let shoppers know about the closure on September 13.
Pesusic said that running Bayside Market had become “unbearable” with police and city officials doing nothing to stop rampant drug use around the store or prevent daily theft.
“We’ve had numerous incidents with shoplifters,” he told SFGATE.
He said he’s called the police several times but they “don’t show.”
“How do you stay in business when there’s no one to show up and help? It’s absolutely frustrating.”
Another shopping incident happened at the store about three weeks ago said Pesusic.
The thief became violent after workers tried to stop them from leaving with products, he added.
The individual removed their belt and threatened to hit the workers, swinging the metal buckle over their heads.
Pesusic called the police after becoming concerned for the safety of his customers, but he said nobody showed up.
Pesusic also became frustrated with Brookfield Properties, the landlord who he said showed a lack of support over his concerns regarding security.
Ricardo Quintero, who has worked for the Pesusic family since 2016, said he noticed more crime happening in the area in the past few years.
There were two store break-ins within two years plus several car break-ins along the street where Bayside Market is.
Like Pesusic, he’s grown frustrated with the indifference he’s felt from the police and has stopped calling to report crimes.
“We were looking and hoping for changes, but it doesn’t seem like there are changes on the horizon,” he told the outlet.
Other factors led to the decision to close, said Pesusic such as gas bills that cost upward of $8,000 a month.
Bayside Market closure full statement
Dear Customers,
After long consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close Bayside Market after 35 years in business.
Just like many other businesses in San Francisco, business hasn’t been the same since COVID.
Escalating rent, insurance, labor costs, utilities, healthcare, and the emptiness in the city due to remote work that COVID caused have all made it very difficult to run a family business.
All city hall cares about is the homeless and fentanyl crisis, not the everyday law-abding citizens trying to make a living.
To that effect, having to deal with shoplifters every day and multiple breakins has just become unbearable, especially when law enforcement doesn’t arrest and city hall doesn’t prosecute.
Our last day is September 13.
Thank you for all your years of support and loyalty.
Bayside Market
He added that utility bills have risen, however, the sales at the market have gone down.
With the rising cost of maintaining the store and the market’s lease ending, Pesusic decided that it wasn’t worth renewing his lease.
“There are too many cons, so we decided to close the store,” he said.
“It’s sad, because we’ve been there for 35 years.”
