San Francisco businesses inside the Metreon seeing decline in sales due to APEC Summit restrictions
SAN FRANCISCO — Businesses inside the Metreon in San Francisco knew the APEC Summit and its security protocols would create issues, and with the summit underway, those worries are now being realized.
Manuel Ramirez, the owner of Bonchon, has been leading the charge of advocating for businesses inside of the Metreon.
"People were saying that it will be just three days. That the perimeter fence is going to go up (Nov. 14) and it actually went up on Thursday, Nov. 10 — So, it's not just three days," said Ramirez.
He said he and some businesses decided to stay open, while others have closed.
"People are just trying to avoid congestion, they are trying to avoid the delays in their schedule," Ramirez said.
On Monday evening, foot traffic was light inside the Metreon. There were empty table and chairs - hardly what eateries in the food court wanted.
One promotional sign reads: "APEC is going to be epic."
"I feel so disappointed," said Sammie Wen, owner of Bimi Poke.
Wen has owned Bimi Poke for the last 5 years. On Monday, she said sales are down 80%. Food deliver drivers are struggling to pick up orders, and she told some workers not to come in this week.
"At least we have more people to come and see a movie. But today is super, super quiet," she added.
Many businesses in the security zone believe the fencing, security protocols and traffic headaches are keeping people away.
KPIX spoke with Scott Rowitz the executive director of the Yerba Buena community benefit district, which is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the neighborhood in downtown, about these concerns.
"All the businesses know we are with them. The city and we are working with them to really find solutions, and some small solutions have been put in place," Rowitz said.
Ramirez said it's not enough.
"We're down by 40% in sales, average daily sales, compared to two weeks ago and even compared year over year 2022," said Ramirez. "We got an email from the from the companies from the third-party platforms saying that they are suspending operations to this area on their own."
On the other side of the food court is Buckhorn. Lesli Zuniga has been a cashier at Buckhorn and said business has already been slow.
"It's just been like the people working inside like police officers and some people from the convention but not really a lot of people," said Zuniga.
The businesses here are still hoping for the best, but Ramirez said, if things don't improve and he is unable to make payroll, he will have to close.
Some businesses are remaining hopeful things will pick up midweek. Still, Wen doesn't know if there is a sustainable future given the already tough economic year. She said she also often witnesses shoplifters from nearby Target on the run, and deals with homeless problems.
"Actually I don't see any hope here. I don't see any future here if the city don't do anything," she said.
She did say since the perimeter was set up, the streets around the Metreon are noticeably cleaner.
"Since APEC, last week, there's less homeless here, that's the only thing that's good," she said.
The business owners told KPIX that only time will tell if APEC is going to have a negative or positive impact on them.
Betty Yu contributed to this report.
