Downtown San Francisco’s New Ikea Retailer, Market Road Mall, and Meals Corridor Is Delayed Once more
Anyone heartened by news that both an 87,000-square-foot Ikea store and food hall are set to open in San Francisco’s mid-market area should probably lower their expectations, as the San Francisco Business Times reports that the project is delayed again. When the store last reported the schedule for the Livat mall and food hall on Market Street, it looked like at least key tenant Ikea would open by spring, but the mega furniture retailer says the schedule has been pushed back became .
Although no new opening date was given, an Ikea spokesman for the store said they “remain committed to opening” and are “pushing forward vigorously with construction”. Other tenants are rumored to be considering leasing the new mall, including coworking company Industrious and an adult mini-golf course owned by pro golfer Rory McIlroy. Last year, developers said they expect the mall to open in late 2023.
Whether you find this news encouraging or not, it comes against a backdrop of troubles in downtown San Francisco, as several major retailers announce they are pulling out of their flagship locations. Stores like Nordstrom, Anthropologie, H&M, Gap and others have all announced plans to leave downtown in recent months, creating a “doom loop” over San Francisco’s business and shopping districts. It’s a storyline Mayor London Breed is fighting against, and on Tuesday, May 16, she announced a $6 million plan to redevelop three blocks of Powell Street around the cable car turnaround and Union Square at.
Oakland Popeyes is closing after allegations of violence and labor violations
Complaints with Cal/OSHA and the California Labor Commissioner’s office led to the sudden closure of a Popeyes at 7007 International Boulevard in Oakland, as the fast-food chain announced it would investigate allegations of child labor violations and violence at the restaurant. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the complaints describe an unsafe work environment where employees were assaulted by customers and undertrained security guards pepper-sprayed both offending customers and employees.
The two 17-year-old employees who filed the complaints say they worked longer hours than the law allowed, while being forced to forgo breaks and being subjected to sexual harassment at work. Meanwhile, another employee as young as 13 was allegedly allowed to work six days a week at that location, including on school days until midnight, in another violation of the state’s labor laws. “We will not condone any violation of labor laws and if any of these allegations are proven true,” Popeyes said in a statement to the newspaper, “we will take action against that franchisee.”
Indulge in a sweet sugar rush with a tasting menu that focuses on desserts
Those with a sweet tooth will be thrilled to hear that pop-up Bellaria Dessert Studio is opening a cafe with a five-course dessert tasting menu as well as a la carte sweets, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Pastry chef and owner Luis Villavelazquez is helming the show and told the paper he wants to create “a new, dynamic and evolving dessert culture in San Francisco.” The new store at 442 Hyde Street will open in the second week of June.
Favorite place for vegan desserts that stays closed on Sunday
Also in the dessert news is that the Berkeley location of Cinnaholic, the chain known for its vegan cinnamon rolls, is closing permanently on Sunday, May 21. With the store’s lease ending this month, owner Nicole Nuss wrote in an Instagram post, “It’s about time I moved on,” having run the business since 2014.
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