New Government Director Hopes to Change Picture of San Francisco’s Union Sq. – CBS San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) – Union Square in San Francisco is losing another major retailer, with DSW – the Designer Shoe Warehouse – being the newest store in the neighborhood to shut down for good.

“Things I used to know aren’t here anymore,” said Linda Hill, who was visiting from New Jersey.

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“It’s a lot sadder than it was before COVID,” said Judy Keith, a visitor from Texas.

Marisa Rodriguez, the new executive director of the Union Square Alliance – formerly known as the Union Square Business Improvement District – hopes to change that perception.

“It’s always disappointing when a cornerstone of our community has to be closed. As far as I know, they are closing more than just their location here in San Francisco, ”said Rodriguez.

She agrees that there is a problem with the image of Union Square that she attributes primarily to the pandemic and the toll it has taken on tourism and retail. It is Rodriguez’s goal to address the image problem.

“That perception will soon go away,” she said. “Union Square is ready and waiting for visitors. We have so much to offer. “

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The holiday season has already begun with the return of the traditional Christmas tree and ice rink to Union Square.

“It will be lit on November 18th,” she said. “People love the ice rink. In contrast to last year, when everything was closed, it is open. “

She also noted that some companies are moving in while others are moving in.

Omega, the watch store, has just opened in Union Square, one of nine upcoming openings and reopenings, according to Rodriguez.

“These range from restaurants, wine bars, retail stores – we even have a mattress store,” she said. “We are very excited about all of this.”

Perception won’t change overnight. But Rodriguez believes it will continue to move in the right direction when people venture back into the world and relive Union Square.

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“I think you will come here and be amazed at how activated, how beautiful and how clean and safe it is,” she said.