Member-only story
Save the Fillmore Safeway: An Open Letter to Mayor-Elect Daniel Lurie and Supervisor-Elect Bilal Mahmood
Dear Mayor-Elect Daniel Lurie and Supervisor-Elect Bilal Mahmood,
I urge you to prioritize saving the Fillmore Safeway, or secure another affordable grocery store to continue serving the community before Safeway’s announced closure date, February 7, 2025.
San Francisco’s Fillmore neighborhood stands at a crossroads, and the looming closure of the Safeway at Webster and Geary threatens to push it in the wrong direction. As you prepare to take office, ensuring the survival of this essential grocery store that has served the neighborhood for over 40 years should be a top priority — not just for the Fillmore community, but for the city’s commitment to equitable access to basic services.
For Safeway’s owner, Cerberus Capital Management, an NYC-based private equity firm with $60 billion under management, the Fillmore store isn’t even a rounding error. For diverse neighbors in Western Addition and Japantown, the Fillmore Safeway is more than just a store; it’s a lifeline. In addition to reasonably priced fresh food inclusive of many cultures, the Fillmore Safeway provides banking services and a pharmacy. Seniors on fixed incomes, families juggling tight budgets, and individuals without easy access to private transportation…
