San Francisco seeks shutdown of Tenderloin convenience store allegedly selling meth, cannabis

Officials in San Francisco have sued the owners of a convenience store in the city's Tenderloin, saying the establishment sold methamphetamine and cannabis, along with illegal tobacco products.

On Wednesday, City Attorney David Chiu filed a lawsuit against the Corner Store on 401 Eddy Street. Chiu's office is seeking to shut down the store for one year in addition to damages.

"The Corner Store didn't just promote drug activity – it became the drug dealer," Chiu said in a statement Thursday. "Families and minors rely on convenience stores, and we will not tolerate a store that that sells drugs. We are asking the Court to protect the community, shut this store down immediately, and level the playing field for law-abiding small businesses."

Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, who represents the neighborhood, said, "For too long, a small number of bad actors have exploited the Tenderloin's most vulnerable residents while evading real consequences. When a corner store turns into a hub for drug activity, it undermines the safety and dignity of the entire neighborhood."

According to Chiu, between Mar. 2023 and Nov. 2025 police officers were called at least 12 times for reports of theft, vandalism, physical altercations and arrests in and around the business.

Following complaints by the community, Chiu said an undercover operation in Apr. 2024 by the city's Department of Public Health (DPH) found an illegal flavored tobacco vape. After additional complaints, San Francisco police, DPH and the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration conducted an inspection last November.

During the inspection, investigators said they found 48.1 grams of methamphetamine, nearly five pounds of cannabis and illegal tobacco products. A "ghost gun," digital scales, small plastic baggies and hundreds of glass pipes used to smoke methamphetamine and crack cocaine were also found at the store.

"Its continued operation is a nuisance that threatens the health and safety of the neighborhood and the well-being of those who live and work in the area, as well as the general public," the lawsuit said.  

A CBS News Bay Area photographer stopped by the Corner Store on Thursday afternoon and found the doors locked.

According to Chiu's office, one of the owners of the Corner Store is an owner of the SF Discount Market, also located in the Tenderloin. In Oct. 2024, Chiu sued the SF Discount Market for allegedly operating as an illegal gambling den, hosting a fencing operation and fueling drug activity.

The court ordered the SF Discount Market to close while the lawsuit is ongoing.