Large supermarkets in San Francisco are being replaced with higher-end specialty grocers, and some say it's a bad thing for many customers.
"Although Cala is making money, the profit margin for a large supermarket isn't large. Food costs are up, vendors are charging more to deliver products. Wages and insurance costs are rising."
"But more than that, supermarket sites are some of the last large real estate lots in the city. Eager developers are making such generous offers that store owners would be crazy to turn them down. No wonder supermarkets are an endangered species in the city."
"Increasingly, they are being replaced by specialized markets, places like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and the new Fresh and Easy markets from the United Kingdom. Boosters say those stores are no more expensive than the old neighborhood supermarket, but everyday shoppers would disagree."
"Many chains - such as Albertson's, Kroger's and others - have already abandoned the city, said Amy Cohen, director of neighborhood business development for the Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development."
"'We have seen in San Francisco the impact of a shift in the grocery industry,' Cohen said. 'Many of the traditional full-service supermarkets are now focusing solely on suburban, large footprint stores with acres of parking and have pulled back their presence in San Francisco.'"
FULL STORY: Supermarkets an endangered species in S.F.
How Smaller Supermarkets Could Transform American Communities
Bigger is not always better.
Experiencing the City in the Supermarket
Grocery stores are more than just places to buy food. They’re the universal gateway to city life and culture.
Considering the Street Level in San Francisco's New Urban District
In examining the question of whether a new high rise development in San Francisco achieves success at street level, John King picks up an age-old, but always relevant, debate.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service