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Safeway store in San Francisco's historically Black Fillmore District is set to close due to ongoing concerns about theft, public safety, and associate and customer well-being. The Pleasanton-based grocery chain had initially planned to shut the store in March but extended its operations to provide a transition period for the community. However, the store's closure will now take place sooner than expected.

    The decision comes after the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed the Neighborhood Grocery Protection Act, which requires supermarkets to give six months' notice before closing and meet with city officials to explore alternatives. The law was enacted in response to Safeway's plans to close its Fillmore store last year.

    Safeway has agreed to sell the 3.7-acre property to local developer Align Real Estate for an undisclosed price, which plans a mixed-use development of 1,000 homes. However, it is unclear whether the sale has been finalized. The closest Safeway store is over a mile away in the Castro District.

    Supervisor Dean Preston, who represents the Fillmore District, has urged Mayor London Breed to use eminent domain to take control of the property and redevelop it into affordable housing with a grocery store. Preston believes that closing the store without a replacement would be "cruel" and is pushing for the city to negotiate acquiring the site.