9 SF stores are 'fronts' for illegal activity, city attorney says

"Nine San Francisco stores have been shut down or are in the process of being evicted after an initiative by the city attorney's office to crack down on illegal activity. Among the nine Tenderloin stores are "gambling and drug dens that fronted as convenience stores," city attorney David Chiu said in a press release. "These convenience stores were magnets for drug activity, and, in some cases, the stores were selling illegal drugs themselves," Chiu said."

"The San Francisco Police Department served search warrants at the businesses, allegedly uncovering stolen goods, drugs and slot machines. At US Smoke Shop, the city attorney's office said they found $17,000 in cash, five gambling machines and two pistol magazines. EZ Dollar Discount Store was selling stolen merchandise from Trader Joe's, Harbor Freight, Safeway, CVS and more, the press release said. The store allegedly had six gambling machines, a payment ledger and prizes like solar charges, Bluetooth speakers and Visa gift cards."

"The nine impacted stores are: IG Mini Mart at 512 Ellis StreetFullmoon Gift & More Inc. at 258 Taylor StreetSing Sing Café at 309 Hyde StreetTenderloin Market and Deli at 200 Leavenworth StreetUS Smoke Shop at 415 Ellis StreetFamily Corner Discounts at 401 Ellis StreetEd's Market at 153 Turk StreetEZ Dollar Discount Store at 335 Jones StreetSF Discount Market at 238 Leavenworth Street"

Nine stores in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood have been shut down or face eviction after a city attorney initiative targeting illegal activity. The nighttime safety ordinance passed in July 2024 bars certain Tenderloin retailers from operating between midnight and 5 a.m., and some of the businesses were operating during those hours. The San Francisco Police Department served search warrants at multiple stores and allegedly uncovered stolen merchandise, drugs, gambling machines, cash and weapons-related items. Specific seizures included $17,000 in cash, multiple gambling machines, pistol magazines, stolen goods from major retailers, and almost 51 grams of methamphetamine with hundreds of glass pipes. Evictions and shutdowns are proceeding under the ordinance and related enforcement actions.

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