SF Fisherman's Wharf businesses voice concerns as Madame Tussauds wax museum closes

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- You'll no longer find a wax museum in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Madame Tussauds San Francisco has closed and businesses nearby say they are struggling.

Fisherman's Wharf did look spectacular Thursday night but it's not all happy times. Madame Tussauds San Francisco, a well-known wax museum recently closed, ending a 60-year history of wax museums in the Wharf.

And while there may be questions about modern day excitement over something like wax figures -

"Would you ever go to a wax museum?" asked ABC7 News reporter J.R. Stone to a tourist.

"Probably not, probably not," responded one man.

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"I think once you go to one, you don't necessarily need to go to another one," said Laura Hoober.

Young people still love them.

"I've only been to one years ago, but I would totally go again," said Zoey Hoober.

"I've been when I was younger and I think people still go - I think they're fun and really cool, all the details and stuff," said Libby Hoober.

Which makes you wonder - if Madame Tussauds couldn't survive, how are others doing? McDonald's, which is on the same block, closed last year.

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Nearby Fisherman's Grotto and Tarantino's remain closed.

To get an idea of how business is in the wharf, ABC7 News Reporter J.R. Stone talked with more than half a dozen business owners, managers, and employees at numerous store locations.

At the chocolate store, the employees told him business has been stagnant. An employee who has worked in the wharf for many years told him that people are closely watching how much money they spend. Something echoed by everyone he spoke with.

The manager of a wharf chicken restaurant says people are coming in, they just aren't spending a lot of money. For instance, the manager said a family of four will often come in and order one individual meal for everyone. The 30-year owner of a tourist shop told him that business has been slow and often times, he has problems even opening the gate to his store because he says there are often homeless people sleeping outside. Another store manager said she did better in COVID than she is doing now, saying that the drug problem is still a major issue.

So while the beauty of the wharf is clearly unrivaled, those here will be the first to tell you that they are saddened but not surprised by Madame Tussauds closure.