Starbucks announces San Francisco store closures amid string of exits from Golden City

Coffee store chain Starbucks has announced it plans to close seven stores in San Francisco, becoming the latest firm to exit the Golden City's downtown amid an uptick in crime.

The company informed employees at the locations of the closures on Tuesday, CBS reported. The closures are slated to take effect on Oct. 22. All but one of the soon-to-be shuttered locations are in the city's downtown area.

The company did not cite specific reasons for closing the locations but told the city's district managers that the decision was "part of ensuring a healthy store portfolio."

Starbucks' store closures come amid a string of exits by major chains in the area, which have been in part, motivated by a dramatic surge in crime and homelessness in San Francisco.

Law and order in the Golden City has deteriorated to the extent that Bay Area residents now must contend with maritime piracy as bandits use stolen boats to conduct robberies on the water.

In August of this year, the owner of the iconic luxury department store Gump's made headlines with an op-ed suggesting the store may close in the face of mounting crime.

Other retailers, such as Nordstrom, Whole Foods, Safeway, Old Navy, CVS, Office Depot, and Crate & Barrel have already made the leap and shuttered San Francisco locations.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.