The conflict over groceries, cheap clothing, and vacant buildings
So, looks like Ross (as in ‘Dress For Less’, not the exclusive Marin County enclave) is snapping up now-vacant grocery storefronts from Albertsons. 46 stores in six states to be exact, according to the Chronicle. Albertsons has recently closed 37 stores in the Bay Area, including some in San Francisco.
At the same time, according to BeyondChron, Supervisor Sean Elsbernd is proposing legislation that would exempt grocery stores from the typical ‘formula retail’ process that any company with multiple locations must go through in order to operate in San Francisco.
Sounds like this Albertsons to Ross sale is exactly what Elsbernd is trying to prevent.
So I guess the question is, does cheap clothing from a large chain provide the same benefit to a neighborhood as a large, chain grocery store?
Ross already has ten stores in the Bay Area, including four in San Francisco. What are the chances that the ‘Supes will allow even one more store, regardless of where Elsbernd’s legislation ends up?
Ross buying Albertson’s store sites [SFGate]
Ross – Dress for Less [official site]
Supervisors to Consider Special Interest Exemption to Formula Retail Law [BeyondChron]
News on Grocery Stores and Farmer’s Markets [SFHomeBlog]
