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Local natural foods co-op Rainbow Grocery celebrates 50 years in business

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A 45-year-old San Francisco man has been charged with repeatedly vandalizing Waymo autonomous vehicles in the city's SoMa neighborhood, resulting in extensive property damage and raising concerns about public safety. Meanwhile, the employee-owned Rainbow Grocery Cooperative in San Francisco's SoMa district is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend with a community celebration.

Why it matters

Waymo has faced some resident backlash and instances of vandalism as one of the most visible self-driving taxi companies operating in San Francisco. In a neighborhood marked by high retail turnover, Rainbow Grocery has remained a community institution by embracing values-based and hard-to-find products.

The details

In three separate incidents since July, police said Walker Reed Quinn has been damaging Waymo vehicles by removing and swinging his belt, placing a cone on the dome and sensors of the car, damaging the tires and driver's side mirror, and stomping on the windshield. Meanwhile, Rainbow Grocery has stayed in business and built up a local following through pandemic-era buying shifts and customer displacement by focusing on homeopathic, organic, and environmentally conscious products.

  • On July 4, Quinn allegedly dove onto the hood of a Waymo vehicle and covered sensors.
  • On July 29, Quinn allegedly damaged a Waymo's tires and driver's side mirror.
  • On August 11, Quinn allegedly stomped on a windshield while someone was inside.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Walker Reed Quinn

A 45-year-old San Francisco resident who has a history of vandalism and was out on bail for prior cases related to Waymo vehicles.

Rainbow Grocery Cooperative

A local food natural foods grocery store, organized as an employee-owned co-op and born out of a 1970s grassroots natural food movement calling for access to nutritious and organic food.

Gordon Edgar

A 31-year employee who oversees Rainbow's cheese counter.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas. In an era of private equity-owned supermarkets, San Francisco's largest independent natural food store remains worker-owned and committed to organic food—proving mission-driven retail can survive and community values can endure.