San Francisco, CA
American Eagle sues Westfield for letting iconic San Francisco mall ‘deteriorate into disarray,’ allowing crime to run rampant
American Eagle, one of the largest remaining tenants in San Francisco’s massive Westfield Mall, is suing the shopping center’s owners for letting it “deteriorate into disarray” and allowing crime to run rampant.
The popular clothing company, which operates a large retail space inside the mall, accused Westfield of neglecting its security and management responsibilities required through its lease, according to the lawsuit, obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle.
American Eagle claims that between May 2020 and May 2023, the store was the scene of more than 100 “significant security incidents” — including customers flashing guns and verbally assaulting its employees.
As a result, the staff were left “to suffer and respond to gun violence, physical assaults, burglaries, and robberies,” American Eagle says.
In June, Westfield and co-owner Brookfield Properties said they would default on its $558 million loan for the complex and blamed the Golden City’s government for surging crime that slashed sales and foot traffic, The Chronicle reported.
However, American Eagle believes Westfield is also at fault.
“Westfield cannot walk away from the harm that it has caused without consequence,” said the lawsuit filed Monday in San Francisco Superior Court. “It must be held accountable for the damages caused by its failures and broken promises.”
Westfield said earlier this year that foot traffic in the mall decreased to 5.6 million visits last year — down significantly from 9.7 million in 201 and, a 43% drop at a time when its US Flagship portfolio saw a 98% recovery.
Sales declined to $298 million in December 2022 from $455 million in 2019, the company said.
Westfield management has declined to comment because the company has not yet been served the lawsuit, according to The Chronicle.
American Eagle is demanding “all actual and compensatory monetary damages” for breach of contract regarding mall security and maintenance outlined in the lease, which runs through 2028.
The suit comes as a number of major businesses in San Francisco have shuttered their doors, including Nordstrom in San Francisco Centre and a number of other stores at the mall.
San Francisco, CA
Washington Freedom win Major League Cricket title over San Francisco in Grand Prairie
In just the second season of Major League Cricket, the Washington Freedom took home their first title on Sunday in Grand Prairie.
The Freedom, led by Steve Smith’s 88 runs on 52 balls, defeated the San Francisco Unicorns at Grand Prairie Stadium. Smith was named the MVP of the championship final for his performance.
Photos: 2024 Major League Cricket final in Grand Prairie
The San Francisco Unicorns beat the Texas Super Kings on Friday in Grand Prairie for a spot in the final, but ultimately came up short.
There are six founding teams in Major League Cricket and the season runs through the summer months.
Find more sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
The San Francisco Marathon, half-marathon, and three other associated running events continue to be a magnet for serious runners from all over the Bay, the West, and the world.
While the San Francisco Giants fight to stay alive in the playoff race, a rookie has carried the team with an incredible stretch.
San Francisco shortstop Tyler Fitzgerald has been hitting the ball out of the park at a crazy rate, hitting eight home runs in his last eight games. The last Giants player to do that was none other than legendary slugger Barry Bonds back in 2004, per MLB’s Sarah Langs.
Over his last 10 games, Fitzgerald is slashing an absurd .429/.512/1.229 line. San Francisco is now 52-55 on the season and back under five games out from a Wild Card berth.
He’s come out of nowhere this season to fill a huge need in the infield. He had been a utility man, but has been given the reins at shortstop over the past week.
The 26-year-old made his MLB debut last campaign in a short stint. He slashed .219/.265/.469 with two home runs and five RBI in 10 games.
He wasn’t a power hitter in college, but has flashed some serious power in the minor leagues since being drafted. Still, no one could have expected him to have the stretch that he has had.
The position of shortstop has been an interesting journey for the Giants this year. If Fitzgerald can finish the season out for them, it would be a huge problem fixed.
Nick Ahmed played a majority of games at that spot for San Francisco and struggled mightily while healthy. He slashed just a .232/.278/.303 line over 52 games this season. Obviously not performing up to the level that the team wanted, he was DFA’d at the start of July.
Ahmed recently signed a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and when 3-for-7 with a home run in a revenge series against the Giants. That home run tied the same amount that he hit during his San Francisco tenure.
Brett Wisely, Casey Schmitt and Marco Luciano have also played a few games for the Giants at shortstop.
Wisely serves as a bit of a warning to not get too attached to the surging infielder. He got off to a fast start, but has gone ice cold at the plate. In the month of July, he’s slashing just .203/.242/.288.
Fitzgerald doesn’t have to continue playing at a Bonds-esque level to be an improvement over what they’ve had for a large chunk of the season, though San Francisco certainly wouldn’t complain if he did.
Red Devils of San Diego: 'We can't wait!'
Milwaukee's Chef Ashley Turner to be featured on Food Network's 'BBQ Brawl'
‘We’ll Move’: Atlanta Falcons Assistant GM Talks Kirk Cousins Tampering Penalty
A violent weekend in Minneapolis, and more headlines
A disaster turns 79. USS Indianapolis sinking leads to world’s worst shark attack
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
'So-called expert bureaucrats': Fishermen rip Sen Warren's new plan to 'silence' them
More right wing with fewer women – a new Parliament compendium
Kevin Durant powered the U.S. men’s basketball team in Olympic opener against Serbia
GOP Senate candidate in PA tours natural gas plant as VP Harris pivots from anti-fracking comments
Trapped in Myanmar’s cyber-scam mills
-
World1 week agoFreshers' week in Strasbourg for new EU lawmakers
-
News6 days agoHow the Trump Rally Gunman Had an Edge Over the Countersnipers
-
Politics1 week agoBalance of Power: Trump singles out Nevada at RNC as he looks to flip state he lost twice
-
Politics1 week agoReporter's Notebook: 'Do not stop filming'
-
World1 week ago‘Torn up bodies’: Israel intensifies bombing campaign in Gaza
-
Politics1 week agoManchin considers re-registering as Democrat to run for president
-
Politics6 days agoTop five moments from Secret Service director's hours-long grilling after Trump assassination attempt
-
News1 week agoTrump says he had ‘a very good phone call’ with Zelensky, discussed Russia-Ukraine war | CNN Politics