A family-owned San Francisco Bay Area eatery has announced it’s closing due to overwhelming challenges facilitated by the city’s Covid lockdown policies, its lack of shoplifting enforcement, and the city’s general lack of concern over the safety and welfare of law-abiding business owners.
Last week, Bayside Market co-owner David Pesusic posted a message informing customers that the 35-year-old grocery/deli’s days were numbered.
“After long consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close Bayside Market after 35 years in business,” the notice stated.
“Just like many other businesses in San Francisco, business hasn’t been the same since COVID,” the message said, going on to list “escalating rent, insurance, labor costs, utilities, healthcare, and the emptiness of the city due to the remote work” as reasons the company’s shutting down.
“All city hall cares about is the homeless and the fentanyl crisis, not the everyday law-abiding citizens trying to make a living,” the store’s message continued.
“To that effect, having to deal with shoplifters every day and multiple break-ins has just become unbearable, especially when law enforcement doesn’t arrest and city hall doesn’t prosecute.”
Speaking to San Francisco Gate, Pesusic expressed frustration police wouldn’t respond to shoplifting calls.
“We’ve had numerous incidents with shoplifters,” he said. “We’ve called the police, and they don’t show…How do you stay in business when there’s no one to show up and help? It’s absolutely frustrating.”
“Our family business is going down the tubes because the idiots in City Hall can’t protect us,” the distraught business owner added in comments to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Pesusic described to The San Francisco Standard how homeless people inhabiting a nearby shelter “think Bayside Market is a pantry for them,” saying the shelter constantly accepting new arrivals “brings us more crime and more trouble into the store.”
“Every day, it’s like, what nut is going to walk in today?” he continued. “It’s sad. It’s everyone in San Francisco dealing with this.”
According to The Daily Mail, Bayside Market’s electricity bill recently skyrocketed to $8,000 a month, which, combined with low sales, precipitated the store’s closure.
“There are too many cons, so we decided to close the store. It’s sad, because we’ve been there for 35 years,” added Pesusic. “We shouldn’t be in this situation, but we can’t survive.”
According to Pesusic, other business owners and residents have commended him for standing up against the city’s spiraling lawlessness.
“Everyone has complimented us and said, ‘Well said,’” Pesusic recounted. “We stated no lies. Life is more important than a dollar, and the city doesn’t get that.”
Bayside Market’s last day will be Friday, Sept. 13.
The store’s tragic closing comes as GOP nominee Donald Trump has highlighted California’s radical policies and descent into lawlessness as problems Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ will carry from her home state of California and impose on the rest of the country.
KAMALA DESTROYED SAN FRANCISCO! pic.twitter.com/0OcP19BECR
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) September 9, 2024
MEET SAN FRANCISCO RADICAL KAMALA HARRIS! https://t.co/MlIKklPSJT pic.twitter.com/lv4nGjNzae
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2024