Locals look to Ikea to spruce up seedy stretch of Market Street in S.F.

SAN FRANCISCO — Netherlands-based dwelling furnishing powerhouse Ikea is scheduled to open on Market Road between fifth and sixth streets in San Francisco in 2023 and locals hope it would breathe new life into the struggling mid-Market neighborhood. 

Ikea hasn’t introduced a selected date however has mentioned it ought to open someday within the fall.

Ikea will anchor a multi-story shopping center at 945 Market Road. At round 87,000 sq. toes, it is going to be smaller than a typical Ikea outlet. For instance, it is a few third the scale of the Ikea in Emeryville, at 274,000 sq. toes.

“Though it is perhaps a smaller one, hey, that is nonetheless a drawer I can purchase, it is nonetheless shelving that I can purchase,” mentioned space resident Adrian Tofoya.

Tofoya lives on sixth Road. He mentioned that, except for the comfort, the event could assist push away road crime.

“To have the ability to have just a bit extra cleaner streets, as a substitute of some individuals drug-dealing on the facet,” Tofoya mentioned.

Neighbors say there’s quite a lot of open drug use and drug-dealing on sixth Road and that extends out to Market Road.

Restaurant proprietor Tulsi Adhikari mentioned medicine and homelessness are main issues within the space. His restaurant, Diya, is positioned  throughout the road from the brand new Ikea.

“Make it clear, give it extra safety so individuals come extra,” Adhikari suggested.

Though Ikea has its personal meals courtroom, Adhikari identified his meals could be very completely different. He mentioned it is a win-win scenario since it’s going to carry extra foot site visitors to this a part of Market Road.

“We have now Indian cusine and Nepalese meals. Folks like our meals and we’ve excellent evaluations,” Adhikari mentioned.

“Ikea coming to the mid-Market space of San Francisco exhibits us that enormous retail is betting on the restoration of San Francisco in a serious means,” mentioned Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Sq. Alliance. She thinks extra companies will observe swimsuit.

“We could not be happier. We’re actually seeing some optimistic indicators that trade, enterprise and persons are actually coming again to downtown,” Rodriguez mentioned.

The Jonathan Carver Moore fashionable artwork gallery will open quickly on Market Road throughout from Ikea. There are nonetheless a number of vacant storefronts on the block however neighbors mentioned that is progress.

“I believe it is going to be actually, actually superior to see it finalized, to have the ability to carry up all people’s — let’s simply say — spirits,” Tofoya mentioned.

The favored furnishings retailer already has two areas open within the Bay Space in Emeryville and East Palo Alto.

Ikea additionally has been working to open a retailer in Dublin but it surely has not given a projected date.