And Then There Was One: BCBG Is Shuttering Another SF Store

Image via BCBG

In January, I began speculating about what would happen to San Francisco's two remaining BCBG stores in light of the company's decision to scale down its retail operations. At the time, I spoke with a staffer at the massive BCBG located on Powell in Union Square, and she assured me that the store wouldn't be going anywhere.

That has changed.

The window at BCBG on Powell Street in Union Square.

The Powell BCBG is now in clearance mode, with tell-tale red, black, and yellow "Everything On Sale!" signs looming garishly behind the spring window displays. (Merchandise is only marked down by 20–40 percent, so the racks remain full.) A sales associate at the doomed store told me Tuesday that there's not a firm end date for the location, but the team anticipates being there for another 6–8 weeks.

Meanwhile, in Westfield Centre, it's business as usual. When I stopped by the mall outpost, team members confirmed that their store will remain open. It makes sense: the mall location is smaller, the rent and utilities are probably cheaper, and the store requires fewer staffers.

Though Bloomingdales, Macy's, and Nordstrom all carry BCBG apparel, none of the department stores has the accessories selection that the stand-alone stores stock. For now, at least, you still can shop for BCBG's excellent clutches, jewelry, and shoes at Westfield.