PetSmart is closing its lone San Francisco store, a move officials say reflects a broader shift in how customers shop for pet care. The City Center location on Geary Boulevard is slated to shut its doors on July 19, a development confirmed after a SFGate report cited by Fox Business. The company informed SFGate that it remains “committed to serving pet parents throughout San Francisco,” noting that customers will still have access to nearby PetSmart locations, including the Daly City store, along with online shopping and delivery options.
PetSmart also told the outlet that it plans to expand fulfillment capabilities at the Daly City location to better serve the surrounding community. The closure will affect San Francisco employees who will be offered resources to assist in the transition and information about opportunities at nearby PetSmart locations, according to SFGate.
The San Francisco location previously offered services such as dog and cat boarding and grooming, though those services are not currently available at the site; pet training and adoption services remained listed on the company’s site. The company cited “a number of factors” in its comment to SFGate, saying that the rise of online shopping, autoship options, and same-day delivery has changed how customers access pet-care services, prompting the retailer to adapt its store footprint.
PetSmart’s parent company was acquired by BC Partners in 2015 for $8.7 billion, and BC Partners remains the majority shareholder, with Apollo investing in the chain in 2023. The company also acquired Chewy in a deal completed in 2017, though Chewy was spun off in 2023. San Francisco’s broader retail environment has faced headwinds in recent years, with other closures such as Walgreens stores and several brands leaving the downtown center.
Fox Business has contacted PetSmart for additional comment. The closure will leave San Francisco without a PetSmart store, even as the city’s pet owners gain continued access to online shopping and nearby locations.
