Whole Foods' Safety Concerns and Closure in San Francisco's Downtown

San Francisco Fire Department data shows that emergency responders were called to the Downtown Whole Foods at least once a week on average during the first six months it was open, with calls ranging from overdoses to psychiatric episodes and other disturbances. The store, which opened in March 2022, abruptly closed this week citing employee safety concerns. Customers reported witnessing looting and theft, while a former supervisor cited public safety concerns and a lack of employee parking as reasons for the closure. The area surrounding the store has been a hotspot for the city's behavioral health crisis, and the closure is a major blow to some residents who rely on the store for groceries.