Union Square Retail Changes

Virgin is closing but....
Diesel will be opening on Market St
Bulgari is taking over the old Gucci space
Paul Smith is opening their first SF store!

Some big changes coming to Union Square. Most are not surprised that the Virgin Megastore is closing next month, after 14 years at the corner of Market and Stockton. The one in Vancouver closed a long time ago. A loser in the new digital music world, I will be sad to see this media megastore close. I have fond memories of browsing their huge DVD selection (though rarely buying there after the internet stores became so much cheaper) and previewing new CD's. Is the retail media store concept totally dead?? It sure looks like it. A more troubling issue is WHO will rent this huge space in this economy? My dream: Japan's MUJI store, which already has retail stores in NYC.

On the bright side, it looks like there will be new stores for luxury retailer Bulgari in the old Gucci space; Diesel, which will be opening right across from Apple, and putting into question whether their current store on 101 Post will stay open; and British icon Sir Paul Smith will be opening their first SF store at 46 Geary St, only a block from John Varvatos. I think this will be only the fourth Paul Smith stand alone shop in the US (2 in NYC and one in LA), signifying Union Square as a must have location for top designers.