The struggling San Francisco Centre mall in downtown San Francisco will be rebranded as the "Emporium Centre San Francisco," paying homage to its previous life as the Emporium department store. The mall's new owners plan to roll out new signage, logos, and an updated website and social media channels in the coming weeks. The property is currently occupied mainly by Bloomingdale's, and the new operators have a strategy to revive the mall, including working with existing retailers and restaurants, bringing in new tenants, improving security, and collaborating with the city and local groups on neighborhood improvements. Ideas for the mall's revival include adding medical, education, or tech tenants, fitness and recreation opportunities, and arts and cultural events. The rebranding is part of an effort to diversify and add life to the Union Square and Yerba Buena districts.
Meanwhile, Japantown in San Francisco remains an underrated neighborhood that offers a variety of things to do, eat, and see. It is one of only five designated Japantowns remaining in the United States. Despite many Japantowns being lost during the World War II era, San Francisco's Japantown has persevered. The neighborhood is home to the Japan Center Mall and Peace Plaza, which are must-visit spots. Some highlights of the area include Kinokuniya, Nippon-Ya, and Daiso. Other attractions in Japantown include the Japanese Cultural Center of Northern California, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, Kabuki Springs, and Kabuki Sundance Cinemas. Japantown is also known for its shops, such as Ichiban Kan and Paper Tree. When it comes to dining, Compton's Coffee House, Fermentation Lab, and Bansang are recommended. The neighborhood is also home to several notable hotels, including Hotel Enso and Hotel Kabuki. [67805d07] [1343c74d] [5c0d36c9] [bc97d3f5]