Coco Republic is latest retailer to exit downtown San Francisco

A luxury furniture brand from Australia is closing its U.S. flagship in San Francisco less than six months after it opened.

Citing an “increasingly challenging environment” in the city’s downtown area, Coco Republic said it will close its 53,000-sq.-ft. location, which formerly housed Crate & Barrel, in Union Square.  

In shuttering the store, Coco Republic joins other retailers such as Nordstrom and Anthropologie that are exiting — or have already left — downtown San Francisco amid safety concerns and falling foot traffic as remote work has removed office workers from the scene. 

“Downtown San Francisco has been struggling with well-documented issues, which have significantly exacerbated challenges that started with the coronavirus pandemic,” the company stated. “Due to a significant decrease in foot traffic and customers, retailers have been finding it difficult to operate in the area. Despite taking numerous precautions in and around their San Francisco store to protect customers and employees, Coco Republic has concluded that it is impossible to continue to keep the location open.

Anthony Spon-Smith, the founder and creative director, Coco Republic, which operates three other locations in California, noted that the company invested “extraordinary time and capital” in its Union Square location.

"Less than six months from opening, we could not be more disappointed to be shuttering this flagship location in our sister city, but ultimately, the safety and well-being of our customers and employees is our highest priority,” he added.

Coco Republic said it will continue delivering to retail customers and trade designers around the world. The brand’s store is the cornerstone of the 100,000-sq-ft. HD Buttercup Design Center in Culver City, Calif., and a newly remodeled Coco Republic store in Orange County, Calif., will be opening later this month.

In addition, Coco Republic online presence in the U.S. will expand in May with the launch of a new e-commerce platform.

"In the immediate term, we will continue to service San Francisco residents online and provide full-service commercial sales support," said Skye Westcott, U.S. president, Coco Republic. "We love the Bay Area and hope to be back if conditions improve in the years ahead."