Two More Local Shopping Destinations Prepare to Close Their Doors

Photo via Pia

In San Francisco, rent increases are usually to blame for store closures. But two beloved institutions in the city are preparing to shutter this winter, and the landlords—for once—are not the problem.

In Jackson Square, two-year-old designer boutique Pia the Store announced via Instagram that it will be closing on January 19. Store staffers told the Chronicle that business was actually growing, but owner Pia Øien Cohler was ready to move on from the retail scene. (Cohler, a former corporate attorney, is going to work for the Innocence Project.)

Pia is clearing out an assortment of merchandise from Delpozo, Alexander Wang, Acne Studios, and more, up to 70 percent off online and 80 percent off in store. Stop by 414 Jackson Street for all the deals.

Across town in the Mission, Mission Thrift is preparing to cease operations after 20 years in business. Owner Werner Werwie, who runs the store under his Retro City Fashion parent company, knows the rent struggles of running a business in San Francisco all too well: Werwie closed two of his stores, Clothes Contact and La Rosa Vintage, after staggering rent hikes made the locations untenable.

Werwie told Mission Local that changing demographics and increased crime are killing Mission Thrift. “What used to be my customer base is not in San Francisco anymore,” he said. “They’ve all moved to Oakland or Oklahoma,” he said. Further aggravating the situation, Werwie has struggled to find staffers, even though he’s offering above minimum-wage, and shoplifters and troublemakers have had a demoralizing effect on his employees.

Mission Thrift has ceased regular operations, and will now only be open on Saturdays while Werwie clears out his remaining inventory. Everything left is half-off. Scoop up all the steals—but please don’t actually steal—at 2330 Mission Street.