New pharmacy planned in SF's Bayview District as neighborhood struggles to retain businesses

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Community leaders and residents in San Francisco's Bayview neighborhood say a planned independent pharmacy represents a significant step toward restoring services in an area that has long struggled to attract investment and retain essential businesses.

Residents describe a neighborhood that once thrived. During the 1960s, the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard provided well-paying jobs, Candlestick Park brought visitors to the area, and local businesses flourished.

"Everything was booming, especially when the opening of the swimming pool. We had stores, restaurants. We have nothing now," said Bayview resident Rickey Moore.

Today, many residents say the neighborhood lacks amenities, particularly for its aging population.

According to U.S. Census data cited in the report, 41% of Bayview residents are age 50 or older.

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Concerns about a lack of support from City Hall were voiced during a community town hall last year.

Following those concerns, grants were awarded to support small businesses throughout San Francisco, including nine businesses in the Bayview. One of the most notable projects is a new independent pharmacy planned for the neighborhood. The Bayview currently has no pharmacies. The neighborhood's last Walgreens closed in February 2025 after serving the community for 30 years.

"When Walgreens closed, it killed us," Moore said.

Community advocates say the loss created a major gap in access to prescription medications and other health services.

"For this community, our closest pharmacy is nearly three miles away, and so opening here at this central location on our T line. We also have a Bayview shuttle that could bring seniors directly here. This site will be ample space to fill the gap of the lost Walgreens," said Geoffrea Morris, a consultant for special projects at the Bayview Senior Center.

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Morris also helped create the District 10 Community Market, a free grocery store for low-income families funded by the San Francisco Human Services Agency.

Cathy Davis, director of Bayview Senior Services, said the new pharmacy could succeed where larger chains have retreated.

When asked why more major retailers do not invest in the neighborhood, Davis said, "You just don't have high-income customers who can come in and help you make more profit, so when they look at profits, we're not that profitable. You can make money. We think we will. They're not about serving the community. They're about how much profit margin they can make in other parts of San Francisco, so Bayview always loses out to that."

The pharmacy is expected to open in early 2027 and will be located near three senior housing developments. Larry McClendon of the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development said the site was selected with accessibility in mind.

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"We wanted to make sure that this pharmacy was centrally located where it makes it convenient for them but also for them to socialize," McClendon said.

Community leaders say the project reflects a broader effort by Bayview residents to drive change from within rather than waiting for outside investment.

"If you look at the things we are doing with the pharmacy, if you look at what we had to do to make sure that affordable housing was developed in the community, it started with indigenous community groups coming together to make sure things happen," said San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton.

Supporters say the pharmacy is more than a new business. They view it as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen services and improve quality of life in one of San Francisco's most historic neighborhoods.