The North Face, an iconic athletic apparel and adventure gear company, announced they would be closing their San Francisco store at the end of March. The store located at 180 Post Street, in the heart of Union Square, will close on March 31, but other Bay Area locations will remain open. The North Face opened its Union Square location in San Francisco in November 2010.
The closure hits close to home for many San Franciscans, as the iconic brand began in San Francisco. The North Face, a staple of San Francisco’s daily fashion, is virtually omnipresent in the city. Founded by Doug Tompkins and Susie Tompkins Buell in 1966, The North Face began as a small store dedicated to climbing and backpacking. The company’s first store was opened in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, and it quickly became known for its quality products. The original store has even been part of San Francisco’s iconic cultural moments, like hosting The Grateful Dead for a performance.
A company spokesperson told CBS News Bay Area that “The North Face was born in San Francisco, and we have cherished the time spent here, building roots, and creating lasting memories.”
The North Face has a long history of outfitting people for extreme experiences along with the average person looking to enjoy nature. The company is also known for its various sustainability initiatives, including utilizing circular design and using responsibly sourced materials.
The closure comes shortly after Macy’s announced its iconic Union Square location would be closing along with 15o other locations. Macy’s confirmed to Mayor London Breed that the Union Square store was not in the first 50 closures and would remain open through 2024.
This isn’t the first retailer to leave San Francisco’s Downtown. Nordstrom closed in 2023, along with other stores in the downtown area’s mall. Last week, San Francisco Centre (previously Westfield Center) announced its renaming to Emporium Center, referencing the shopping mall’s history.
By Dana Flynn and Catherin Huynh