Downtown San Francisco to Regain Uniqlo After 2021 Closure

Uniqlo is plotting a return to San Francisco four years after closing its Union Square flagship.

The Japanese clothing brand is looking to plant a flag two blocks from its old three-story location at 111 Powell Street, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The retailer is in talks with city officials about opening a store at 801 Market Street.

Tokyo-based Uniqlo underwent a series of store closures in the wake of the pandemic, locking its doors for good at its San Francisco flagship in 2021. Other clothing giants like Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s fled the city and shut down their flagship locations.

The timing for Uniqlo’s return feels right, company officials said. The company is getting close to confirming a location and considers San Francisco an important market, said Tomo Yasuda, Uniqlo’s North America real estate director.

Yasuda and other Uniqlo bigwigs met with Mayor Daniel Lurie and his staff this summer. Uniqlo reportedly was looking to discuss how the company could “partner with the city to rejuvenate the city and have a successful opening.” Uniqlo also sought to discuss “commitments to making the downtown better” and how to “help to speed up our permitting process.”

While the location of the new Uniqlo outpost hasn’t been confirmed, a representative for investment firm Pontegadea said earlier this year that it was “working on a lease with Uniqlo for Pac Place.” The Pacific Place building, at 801 Market Street, is owned by Pontegadea and was formerly occupied by Old Navy before it closed in 2023.

Uniqlo’s comeback in San Francisco would mark a major step in the company’s post-pandemic growth, though it wouldn’t be the only store location in the Bay Area. The Stonestown Galleria mall has had a Uniqlo location since 2013. An Emeryville location also opened that same year.

— Chris Malone Méndez