San Francisco’s Union Square welcomed a new tenant Thursday: Nintendo.
The video game giant opened Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO – its second U.S. store – at 331 Powell St.
“I’m looking forward to just seeing everybody come. I’m hoping people come with more cosplay like costumes,” said Michelle Javier, a Nintendo fan who attended the grand opening.
The company said the location will allow customers to experience the world of Nintendo along with its products and characters.
Along with shopping, there is also in-store gaming on what is probably the biggest game screens in the city.
The San Francisco location will be a little different than its New York sibling.
“We’re excited with Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO because we’re going to be bringing unique goods into the store that have only been seen in Japan,” said Devon Pritchard with Nintendo America.
The opening of the Nintendo store in San Francisco also represents what is kind of a consolidation of other retailers as well around Union Square.
Just steps away from Thursday’s long line of eager Nintendo customers is a vacant storefront at Post and Powell streets where clothing company Zara will move into.
And on nearby Geary Boulevard, clothing retailer John Varvatos will move in after it closes its outlet in the San Francisco Centre mall.
But the shopping district still has a way to go for a full rebound.
Saks Fifth Avenue just closed and there is still plenty of retail space on Powell Street available for lease.
As shopping habits continue to change, the hope is spots like the Nintendo store will be a special reason for shoppers to come to Union Square.
Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO is expecting large crowds for its first week, so it is requiring customers to make a reservation to get inside.
