Nordstrom Reopens in San Francisco in Smaller Store

Nordstrom left the city of San Francisco in a huff in 2023, but the clothing giant is gearing up to return to the city in a new format.

On June 5, the Seattle-based retailer received approval from the San Francisco Planning Commission to open a Nordstrom Local store at 1919 Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights, the San Francisco Standard reported. The 1,750-square-foot space has been empty since stationary store Minted closed five years ago in the early days of the pandemic, though was briefly occupied by a temporary retail client last year.

Nordstrom Local locations, unlike its traditional sprawling department stores, are pared-down versions of the Nordstrom experience. The shop won’t offer an inventory to choose from, per se, but it will serve as a place for shoppers to pick up and try on online orders, make returns or get clothing alterations.

The commission moved the proposal along because of the city’s “formula retail” rules that prohibit big chain stores from taking over retail-heavy areas. After Nordstrom closed its flagship downtown location and a Nordstrom Rack in 2023, other big-box stores like Saks and Bloomingdale’s followed suit. The company’s return to San Francisco in a Nordstrom Local form complies with local regulations while providing essential services to shoppers.

“Unfortunately, the retail economy is changing a lot, and it’s changing how we shop these days,” Commissioner Theresa Imperial said at the June 5 planning commission meeting where the proposal was approved. “We as a city need to understand how to adapt to these changes and prepare for that.”

Nordstrom hopes to prevent traffic congestion in the area with minimal delivery truck interference on Fillmore Street. It’s also negotiating with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to offer validated parking passes at local garages to free up street space.

“I want to make sure that we send a message to businesses that San Francisco is welcoming you back,” the commission’s president, Lydia So, said. “We’re welcoming Nordstrom back, and we’re welcoming whoever else wants to come back — or those who never considered coming here because things are hard.”

Mayor Daniel Lurie has been working to cut red tape across the city, including provisions to expedite proposals like those.

In April, he signed legislation making it easier for chain stores to move into a key retail corridor on Van Ness Avenue that has been plagued with closures in recent years. He’s also pledged to eliminate certain permitting rules to allow businesses of all sizes to set up shop in San Francisco.

Supervisor Myrna Melgar is simultaneously drafting legislation allowing chain stores to move into empty storefronts once occupied by chains in a “same-for-same” replacement, the San Francisco Standard reported.

— Chris Malone Méndez