San Franciscans say 'goodbye' to SF Centre as it permanently shuts its doors

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The doors are locked, closed signs up, and emotions are running high Friday evening outside San Francisco Centre. After nearly 40 years, this once bustling mall is permanently closing.

"It's just sad to see a part of the history of the city just ending a chapter. I met so many friends here, a lot of memories working here part-time in college, and just being able to come here with my mom for a special occasion," said San Francisco native, Theresa Benitez.

"It's sad to see such a great place," said Sade Kellogg, also a native San Franciscan. "We used to come out here and hang out with our friends. The food court had all the greatest food. Go down there and just, you know, hang out. It was just a great place to be- had memories."

"It's really sad honestly this mall used to be so alive and prosperous and it's been in such a decline for a long time," said San Francisco resident, Ron Coetzee.

The closure comes after years of slowing business, and just months ago, the mall was sold at a foreclosure auction, and the new owners ended the remaining tenant leases.

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This was a very iconic shopping mall for many years. And it's like a lot of things in San Francisco. Things have been changing," said San Francisco resident Gregory Murray.

As for when we could learn more about what's next for the mall, Mayor Daniel Lurie told us he's looking forward to seeing the ideas that come forward in the next few months.

"I think what's exciting in this moment is that we now have some clarity on what comes next, and that is that the market is going to dictate who comes in there," said Lurie.

Meanwhile, a social media post calling for an impromptu celebration at the mall on Sunday is catching on.

"I just told people to show up, please be respectful. Just show up, play music," said Antwan Shelbua, who posted the request. "Who's to say that we can't just kind of have fun and just have our last memory somewhere where a lot of people have met a lot of people and some very good memories."

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