In a public outcry against the deteriorating conditions in San Francisco, John Chachas, CEO of the historic luxury department store Gump's, has penned an open letter to Governor Newsom, Mayor Breed, and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
The letter, published as a full-page ad in The San Francisco Chronicle, criticizes the city and state leadership for their "destructive" and "failed public policies."
Chachas wrote, "Gump's has been a San Francisco icon for more than 165 years. Today, as we prepare for our 166th holiday season at 250 Post Street, we fear this may be our last because of the profound erosion of this city's current conditions." He further lambasted the city's leadership, stating that San Francisco now suffers from a "tyranny of the minority" where the actions of a few jeopardize the livelihood of many.
The CEO pointed out the devastating impact of COVID policies that encouraged people to abandon their offices, as well as the city's strategies that allowed the homeless to occupy sidewalks, openly distribute and use illegal drugs, harass the public, and defile the city's streets. "Such abject disregard for civilized conduct makes San Francisco unlivable for its residents, unsafe for our employees, and unwelcoming to visitors from around the world," Chachas added.
He implored the city's leaders to take immediate action, including cleaning the city streets, removing homeless encampments, enforcing city and state ordinances, and restoring San Francisco to its rightful place as a shining beacon of urban society. "San Franciscans deserve better than the current condition of our city," he stated.
Chachas also highlighted the need for a shift in public policies, stating, "As San Franciscans, we will continue to support the compassionate efforts of helping those in need. But we believe failed public policies must be abandoned and a renewed focus must be brought to restore the city we all love."
The city's deteriorating safety conditions have led to federal employees being advised to work from home. Several businesses, including Nordstrom, AT&T, Cinemark, Old Navy, Whole Foods, and T-Mobile, have closed their flagship locations. Westfield has even surrendered San Francisco Centre, the city's largest mall, to its lender.
In a previous interview with Fox and Friends in 2021, Chachas had criticized the city's leadership for the rise in "rampant crime."
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