Iconic Japanese Streetwear Brand BAPE Coming to San Francisco's Union Square

BAPE, known for its collaborations with global brands, will open its first San Francisco store in the former Dior men's space.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Japanese streetwear brand BAPE is opening its first San Francisco store in Union Square, taking over the former Dior men's space on Stockton Street. BAPE, which gained popularity in the mid-2000s thanks to celebrity fans like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, will mark the company's ninth U.S. location and only its second in California. The San Francisco store will transform all three levels of the building.

Why it matters

The arrival of the iconic BAPE brand in Union Square is a sign of the shopping district's rebound after pandemic-era challenges. Along with other high-profile retailers like The RealReal and AT&T returning to the area, BAPE's opening highlights Union Square's continued appeal as a destination for global brands and shoppers.

The details

BAPE, founded in Tokyo's Harajuku district in 1993, has gained a loyal following for its collaborations with brands like Pepsi, Disney, Nintendo, and other streetwear labels. The San Francisco store will mark the company's ninth U.S. location and only its second in California. Planning documents show all three levels of the former Dior men's space will be transformed for the new BAPE store.

  • BAPE is slated to move into the former Dior men's store at 216 Stockton St. in San Francisco's Union Square.
  • The San Francisco store does not yet have an announced opening date.

The players

BAPE

A Japanese streetwear brand founded in Tokyo's Harajuku district in 1993, known for its collaborations with global brands and popularity among celebrities like Kanye West and Pharrell Williams.

Kazuko Morgan

The executive vice chairman and broker for Cushman & Wakefield, who expressed excitement about BAPE's arrival in San Francisco.

Marisa Rodriguez

The CEO of the Union Square Alliance, who said the district is seeing remarkable momentum with the return of retailers like BAPE, The RealReal, and AT&T.

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What they’re saying

“BAPE has been in the market for years and it is so exciting that they are finally coming to San Francisco.”

— Kazuko Morgan, Executive Vice Chairman and Broker, Cushman & Wakefield

“Along with AT&T returning to the District, and The RealReal opening their flagship store this month, it's clear that the remarkable momentum in Union Square is just heating up.”

— Marisa Rodriguez, CEO, Union Square Alliance

What’s next

The San Francisco BAPE store does not yet have an announced opening date, but its arrival is expected to further boost the momentum in Union Square as the shopping district continues its post-pandemic rebound.

The takeaway

The opening of the iconic BAPE brand in San Francisco's Union Square underscores the district's enduring appeal as a destination for global retailers and shoppers, even as the city's retail landscape has evolved in recent years.