Levain Bakery to Open First Northern California Spot at Santana Row

Cookie fans in San Jose will gain a new option when Levain Bakery opens its first Northern California location at Santana Row in summer 2027. The New York City-based chain, known for its signature 6-ounce cookies along with breads, pastries, and other baked goods, operates 20 locations overall, including four in Southern California at Los Angeles, Newport Beach, Beverly Hills, and Venice.

The bakery will take part of the former Chico’s storefront on Olin Avenue. Chico’s closed that store in September; it had been the retailer’s only San Jose location, though stores remain open in Los Gatos and Los Altos. Levain plans to partner with a local charity and donate its opening-day proceeds, following a company tradition. More details on the store should surface closer to the opening date.

Santana Row already hosts about 30 food and beverage tenants. The addition comes as the Federal Realty development has brought in other national retailers, including a recent Reformation opening and an expected Hoka store this fall. The mixed-use project includes more than 50 stores plus offices, housing, a hotel, and restaurants. Earlier this year, several dining tenants closed after operator Vine Hospitality shut down, including LB Steak, Left Bank, and Meso Modern Mediterranean.

The arrival adds a destination bakery to the lineup of shops and eateries along Santana Row. Residents who have ordered Levain cookies online or visited the Southern California locations can look forward to a local counter once doors open next summer.

Source: SVBJ

Taimseed Clinic to Open in Long-Vacant Downtown San Jose Storefront

Residents and workers near San Pedro Square will gain a new option for routine medical care when Taimseed opens its first South Bay location on December 20. The clinic is taking the 2,117-square-foot ground-floor space at 28 N. Almaden Avenue inside the Modera San Pedro Square apartments. The site had remained empty for years after Carbon Health closed its urgent care clinic there, well before the company shuttered other San Jose locations in February.

Taimseed plans to offer primary and preventive care along with sleep, menopause, and fertility services. The layout already includes a lobby, patient rooms, a conference room, a break room, and a lab, according to Bobby Facchino, the broker who represented the landlord. Facchino noted that the location sits one street over from the busier San Pedro Square corridor of restaurants and bars, which limited foot traffic and made leasing more difficult. Financial incentives ultimately helped draw the clinic operator to the space.

“It's a good balance,” Facchino said. “There's already a lot of places to eat and do stuff, so I think to have this as well adds to it.” An adjacent storefront in the same building has stayed vacant since construction finished. The new clinic sits a short walk from San Pedro Square Market and the broader dining scene that has grown along that stretch of Downtown San Jose.

The arrival adds a health service to a mixed-use building that already houses apartments above street-level retail. Opening just before the holidays gives nearby residents a local option for check-ups and specialized visits without traveling farther into the city or suburbs. Details on exact services and hours should appear on the operator’s site as the December date approaches.

Source: SVBJ

Dollar Tree Joins the Next Wave at The Plant

Dollar Tree is combining three storefronts at The Plant, the 650,000-square-foot power center at Monterey Road and Curtner Avenue, into a new shop at 2151 Monterey. Suites 40, 60, and 80 add up to about 9,772 square feet on the leasing flyer. Suite 40 used to be Payless. No opening date has been posted. A Customer Service Associate listing already uses that Monterey Highway address, which is usually a sign the build-out is underway. Dollar Tree opened more than 100 stores in the first quarter of 2026 and still plans about 400 new locations this year even while closing 75 others.

The Plant has been filling holes since Arc Capital Partners and Milan Capital Management bought the center for $95 million in August 2024. Vacancy had been high under the previous owner. Target and Home Depot still sit as shadow anchors; Realty Income paid $73 million for the Home Depot pad in late 2024 without changing the store. Best Buy, Ross, Ulta, PetSmart, and a string of restaurants never left.

Vallarta Supermarkets is slated to take the old Toys R Us box, close to 60,000 square feet, with a November target. That would be Vallarta’s first Bay Area store and would put a full cocina next to the big-box row. Chikin Drip, the San Jose hot-chicken outfit, already opened a second kitchen at 81 Curtner inside the same property. Sixteen dining spots and ten national anchors are the pitch the landlords have been using.

The full directory and hours are available at https://www.plantsanjose.com.

Source: SVBJ

Sprouts Claims the Old Orchard Supply on Cottle, Opening Early 2028

Sprouts Farmers Market signed a lease for the empty Orchard Supply Hardware box at 5651 Cottle Road. The grocer told the Business Journal it expects to open in early 2028. A public hearing on the remodel is set for September 15. Dollinger Properties bought the 4.3-acre site for $7.3 million in 2025 after the hardware store went dark in 2018.

The work would add about 5,568 square feet to the old building, tear out 1,200 square feet of mezzanine, recut the floor into four tenant spaces, and redo the parking circulation. One of those spaces is slated for a preschool or daycare. Sprouts would not name the operator. Earlier city files had floated a Goddard preschool and a fitness tenant; those plans appear to have shifted toward grocery plus child care.

This would be Sprouts’ sixth store inside San Jose city limits and one of more than twenty in the Bay Area. The lot sits inside Orchard Town and Country, the outdoor center that already holds Baskin-Robbins, Greek Spot, and Castillo’s Mexican Restaurant. Safeway and Target sit close enough that another grocer has to earn the trip. T&T just opened at Westgate. Gus’s is aiming at the old Whole Foods in Los Gatos for 2027. South San Jose is getting the same grocery scramble as the west side.

Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal

A Family Grocer and a New Gym Fill Cornerstone in Los Gatos

South and West San Jose shoppers will soon have two new reasons to pull into Cornerstone Shopping Center. Family-owned Gus’s Community Market signed on for the 18,125-square-foot space Whole Foods left behind at 15980 Los Gatos Blvd., with an opening targeted for April or May 2027. Club Studio Fitness is slated to open this September in the former Rite Aid at 15920 Los Gatos Blvd.

Gus’s will be the first store the Vardakastanis family has opened outside San Francisco, where five markets already serve neighborhoods from the Haight to Mission Bay. The Los Gatos shop will carry produce, full-service meat and seafood, sushi, specialty groceries, beer and wine, plus extras the SF stores do not yet have: house-baked breads, customizable prepared-food bowls, and a café with an indoor-outdoor patio. Landlord Cilker put about $2.5 million into the two spaces and now reports the center at full occupancy, with neighbors that include Hanna’s Noodle Bar, SkinSpirit and Shepherd & Sims.

The grocery map along that stretch keeps shifting. Whole Foods moved into a larger building a short drive away. Nob Hill Foods, a fixture less than a mile from Cornerstone, plans to close in June 2027 after its parent company declined to renew the lease. Lunardi’s remains nearby. Cilker’s team picked Gus’s for a smaller, service-heavy model rather than another big-box format, betting that shoppers from Almaden, Cambrian and Willow Glen will notice the difference in the aisle and at the counter.

Club Studio brings boutique classes, a full gym floor and wellness amenities under one membership. The Orange County-based chain signed a 10-year lease; Gus’s signed 15 years with options. Together the two leases turn a pair of empty boxes into a grocery-and-workout stop that sits a quick hop from southern San Jose neighborhoods.

Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal

DSW Prepares Second San Jose Store at Almaden Plaza

Footwear retailer DSW will open a second location in San Jose at Almaden Plaza. The new store will occupy roughly 14,400 square feet previously held by a furniture retailer at the 5353 Almaden Expressway shopping center.

Almaden Plaza already anchors a mix of large tenants including T.J. Maxx, Sports Basement, and Hobby Lobby. Recent additions include TleafGreen Burmese Kitchen, with a Benihana restaurant also on the way. The center sits near residential neighborhoods and other retail destinations such as Oakridge Mall and Almaden Ranch Marketplace.

DSW currently operates one San Jose store on Stevens Creek Boulevard, more than six miles from the planned Almaden Plaza site. The chain, owned by Designer Brands, runs more than 500 stores nationwide and has signaled additional openings this year.

Silicon Valley retail vacancy has tightened over the past year, falling from 5.3 percent to 4.9 percent. Limited new construction has helped strengthen leasing demand, particularly in the San Jose-Campbell-Los Gatos area.

Source: Silicon Valley Business Journal

Hoka Brings Its First Bay Area Store to Santana Row

Hoka plans to open its first Bay Area storefront at Santana Row this fall, filling the roughly 850-square-foot space previously occupied by Arc’teryx. The outdoor apparel brand relocated to a larger location at Westfield Valley Fair, creating the opening for the popular performance footwear company. Marketing materials already posted at the site confirm a fall debut.

The arrival aligns with broader shifts toward active lifestyles at the mixed-use center. A 60,000-square-foot Life Time fitness club is also preparing to open in the former Best Buy space. Reformation, the Los Angeles-based women’s clothing brand, is preparing a more than 2,000-square-foot store next to Sezane for a fall opening as well. Johnny Doughnuts celebrated the launch of its fifth location at the Row in late June, while the upscale cocktail bar Flora is expected later this year in the former Rosie McCann’s space.

Santana Row has experienced some turnover on the dining side. Vine Hospitality’s portfolio-wide closures eliminated LB Steak, Left Bank and Meso Modern Mediterranean, removing more than 175 jobs from the center. Those vacancies form part of the ongoing evolution that has also brought in new retail and fitness options.

Source: SVBJ

Valley Fair Adds New Dining Energy and Fashion Options

Westfield Valley Fair has continued reshaping its mix of tenants with several notable arrivals and expansions that give shoppers and diners more reasons to linger. Asia Live, a sprawling 15,000-square-foot pan-Asian food emporium from the team behind San Francisco’s China Live, opened in June with seating for 350 guests and open kitchen stations featuring dishes drawn from Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indian and other regional traditions. Heytea has already joined the lineup, and Chagee Modern Tea House is scheduled to arrive later this year.

Cider, a global women’s clothing and accessories brand that built its following online, plans to open its first Northern California store at the mall later this summer. The concept targets younger shoppers and fits the center’s evolving customer base. At the same time, outdoor apparel specialist Arc’teryx is relocating from neighboring Santana Row into a larger 1,700-square-foot space inside Valley Fair, while Starbucks has traded its previous location for a bigger footprint one floor above.

Mall operators have focused on complementary experiences that encourage longer visits. Entertainment options such as Alamo Drafthouse, The Great Big Game Show and Sandbox VR already contribute to dwell times that frequently exceed two and a half hours for a majority of guests. Growing demand for takeout and delivery has also prompted dedicated pickup parking and features like drive-thru windows at select restaurants. These adjustments reflect confidence in the center’s strong local following even as smaller spaces remain popular with many retailers.

The combination of expanded dining, fashion and entertainment positions Valley Fair as a more complete destination for South Bay residents who already treat the center as a regular stop. With Asia Live now fully operating and additional concepts on the way, the property continues to refine what a modern regional mall can offer.

Source: SVBJ

Dick’s Sporting Goods Plans Large House of Sport on Blossom Hill Road

Dick’s Sporting Goods will open a nearly 99,000-square-foot House of Sport store at 920 Blossom Hill Road in San Jose, on the rebuilt site of a former Home Depot destroyed by fire in 2022. The large-format location is expected to arrive in 2027 near Westfield Oakridge.

House of Sport stores go beyond traditional retail with interactive features such as climbing walls, golf simulators, and batting cages. The company has already filed permits for exterior remodeling and tenant improvements at the property. Brokers from Econic and others handled the lease.

The new store will replace Dick’s existing roughly 40,000-square-foot location at nearby Sunrise Plaza, where the retailer has operated for decades. The Blossom Hill corridor continues to draw national brands thanks to surrounding shopping centers, residential density, and convenient access. Boot Barn is also preparing an 18,000-square-foot store in the same area.

The arrival of this expanded format gives south San Jose shoppers a more experiential place to buy sporting goods and try activities on site while reinforcing the commercial strength of the Blossom Hill corridor.

Source: SVBJ

Boot Barn Heads to Blossom Hill Road Near Oakridge

Western-wear retailer Boot Barn will bring its first San Jose location to 932 Blossom Hill Road, the former Wagly Veterinary Hospital site. The 18,277-square-foot store is expected to open in 2027 and will sit close to Westfield Oakridge.

The Irvine-based chain specializes in boots, clothing, and accessories for work and everyday western style. Its nearest current stores stand in San Martin and Livermore, so the new site fills a clear gap for local shoppers. Brokers from Econic and CBRE handled the lease, noting the corridor’s strong mix of established shopping centers, nearby homes, and easy access.

Silicon Valley retail vacancy recently tightened to 4.9 percent, reflecting solid demand and limited new construction. Boot Barn continues expanding nationally with plans for 70 additional stores this fiscal year as it works toward a long-term total of 1,200 locations.

Source: SVBJ

Sakura Market Brings Japanese Vibes to Downtown San Jose

Downtown San Jose gained a distinctive new retail option when Sakura Market held its soft opening on June 24 at the corner of South First Street and Paseo de San Antonio. The 5,000-square-foot store occupies the former Muji space and draws inspiration from Japan’s popular konbini convenience stores.

Shoppers can find groceries, beverages, grab-and-go items, a mini-mart selection, sake and beer bar, sushi buffet, instant ramen bar, matcha tea shop, and a wide range of Japanese snacks alongside everyday essentials. Owned by Osaka Marketplace, the location serves as a smaller version of their larger concepts and is adapted to best serve local residents (like neighboring SJSU students).

The opening helps address a noticeable gap in grocery options within Downtown San Jose. The area has lacked convenient food retail since a small-format Safeway closed in 2019. This will particularly benefit residents near San Jose State University’s Spartan Village and visitors staying at the Signia by Hilton hotel, but I'd expect it to draw people from all over the area.

One really unique feature is the instant ramen bar where you choose all of your toppings, pay, and then quickly cook your ramen at the bar. The self-serve sushi bar also looks like a winner for anyone wanting to grab a quick meal.

Sakura Market is actively hiring for positions including cashiers, customer service, stockers, cleaning staff, bartenders, and sushi preparers, with pay ranging from $18.45 to $21 per hour for part-time and full-time roles. The unique mix of food, drink, and experience-oriented retail stands to draw both locals and tourists seeking something different from standard mall offerings.

This addition strengthens the vibrant mix of shops and eateries that make Downtown San Jose an increasingly appealing destination to live and explore.

Source: SiliconValley.com

Vallarta Supermarkets to Open Larger Store at The Plant Shopping Center in San Jose

San Jose will soon welcome a new grocery destination as Vallarta Supermarkets prepares to open in the former Toys "R" Us space at The Plant shopping center. The nearly 60,000 square foot location will exceed the chain's usual store size and will bring approximately 150 new jobs to the area with its mid to late November opening. The center already draws crowds for Target, Home Depot, and Ulta Beauty, and this addition will turn the hub into an even stronger one-stop destination for household needs.

The family-owned chain began as a Mexican meat market back in 1985 and has directed its growth northward from a Southern California foundation in recent years. Officials signed the lease for the San Jose site about a year ago after evaluating options. They have pointed to the central position, straightforward access, and ample parking as factors that made the location stand out, particularly with other major retailers already on site to form a full shopping stop.

Company leadership has built the brand around quality, cleanliness, and service that reflect what they would choose for their own families and communities. The additional space in this store will support a wider array of fresh items while preserving those core standards throughout. Leaders have also shared hopes of opening further stores in San Jose, noting the city offers the scale and vitality to sustain more than one Vallarta location.

This development will deliver expanded grocery options along with new employment opportunities in a thriving section of the city. Shoppers seeking quality fresh goods and reliable service will gain a convenient new choice within a well-established retail environment. The opening reflects San Jose's ongoing ability to draw in regional businesses that see value in investing here and serving local residents.

Source: SVBJ

Downtown San Jose Retail Updates at The Grad and Centerra

The Grad just lost a tenant (Ding Tea) but picked up two new ones: Delah Coffee and Naz's Halal. Delah Coffee is a poular chain of Yemeni and Middle Easter cafes. They are known for culturally rich beverages and cozy interiors. Some of their specialty drinks include spiced Adeni Chai and Harazi Coffee along pastries like baklava and Turkish delights.

Naz's Halal is a rapidly growing fast-casual chain serving NYC-style halal platter and gyros. They're known for generous portions at affordable prices (perfect for The Grad).

On the other side of Downtown San Jose, Centerra finally has a new tenant next to Dr. Ink. Palmetto Superfoods is opening their newest location in that primo spot across the street from the San Pedro Square Market. They are a California-based chain featuring customizable Brazilian açaí bowls and superfood smoothies.

Source: Robertee from Skyscraper City

Sephora Adds Convenient Beauty Stop Near Downtown San Jose

Sephora announced plans for a new store at 519 Coleman Avenue inside the San Jose Market Center. Construction has progressed steadily, and the doors will open on June 5, placing premium cosmetics and beauty products roughly a mile north of Downtown San Jose.

This location marks the brand’s sixteenth in Silicon Valley and the first within five miles of Downtown San Jose. The nearest existing Sephora sits at Westfield Valley Fair, which straddles the San Jose and Santa Clara border, so residents on the north side will enjoy shorter drives and easier access for their favorite brands and new discoveries.

The San Jose Market Center already draws steady traffic with anchors such as Target, Marshalls, Michaels, and PetSmart. New dining additions including Supreme Crab, a Cajun seafood buffet, and Slice House by Tony Gemignani will give visitors even more reasons to linger before or after browsing the beauty aisles.

Sephora entered the U.S. market in 1998 and now operates more than 1,800 stores nationwide. California holds the largest share, representing about 13 percent of the company’s domestic footprint. The expansion aligns with San Jose’s retail strength, which a recent Marcus & Millichap report described as the least volatile Bay Area market and a beacon of stability compared with higher vacancy trends elsewhere in the region.

Source: SVBJ

Sakura Market Brings Japanese Flavors and Convenience to Downtown San Jose

Downtown San Jose residents and San Jose State University students will soon gain a vibrant new destination for groceries and Japanese specialties. Sakura Market has started preparing its space along The Paseo de San Antonio between South Market Street and South First Street, right next to the Spartan Village housing tower. The former Muji location which closed in 2020 will transform into a multifaceted spot that blends everyday shopping with dining experiences.

Osaka Marketplace, the operator behind locations in Fremont and Foster City, envisions more than a standard mini-mart. The store will include a curated sushi buffet, an interactive instant ramen station, a Japanese sake and beer bar, and a dedicated matcha tea shop. These elements create a lively hub where people can grab fresh ingredients, enjoy a quick meal, or relax with a drink.

The addition fills a noticeable gap in downtown grocery options that has existed since a small-format Safeway closed on South Second Street in 2019. While Whole Foods Market and Grocery Outlet sit on the edges of the area, Sakura Market places convenient access directly in the heart of the action. Local real estate professionals have pointed out that retail additions like this strengthen the city and deliver a smart mix of grocery, restaurant, and retail offerings.

Hiring signs already appear at the site as the team seeks cashiers, stockers, sushi preparers, bartenders, and other roles with wages from $18.45 to $21 an hour. The project reflects a broader trend of Asian-themed stores expanding across the Bay Area, bringing fresh energy and practical choices to neighborhoods that value both convenience and cultural flavors.

Source: The Mercury News

Crewners Barber Shop Finds New Life in Willow Glen

Willow Glen welcomed a refreshed Crewners Barber Shop when it opened its new doors at 1393 Lincoln Avenue on February 17. Owner Dan Dixon designed the 790-square-foot space with room to grow, beginning with two chairs and preparing to expand to four while adding barbers and services such as hair washing.

Customers have responded with enthusiasm. The shop now serves a younger demographic that includes families and remote tech workers who prefer a more relaxed, pampering experience over rushed appointments. You can even enjoy a locally-made craft energy drink called Bad Mermaid during your appointment (the company has the same ownership as Crewners).

Crewners carries a resilient San Jose story. Founded in 2011 as the first tenant in San Pedro Square, the business later operated in several Downtown San Jose locations and Japantown before reopening in Willow Glen as a full brick-and-mortar shop once again.

This new chapter strengthens Willow Glen’s reputation as a place where independent local businesses can thrive and build lasting connections with the community. San Jose residents who stop by will discover exactly the kind of neighborhood spot that keeps the city feeling personal and full of character.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose Welcomes Rowan’s First California Studio to Santana Row

San Jose has welcomed Rowan to Santana Row and in doing so has secured a fresh destination that redefines ear piercing for everyone from first-timers to seasoned enthusiasts. This modern studio arrives with clinical training at its core, delivering procedures performed exclusively by licensed nurses who follow strict operational standards developed over years of nationwide growth. The result stands as a milestone experience rather than a rushed errand, complete with hypoallergenic earrings selected to minimize any discomfort long after the appointment ends.

Residents who value precision will notice the difference immediately. Rowan maintains an adverse reaction rate below one percent through its dedicated clinical protocol, a stark improvement over typical industry figures. That consistency has fueled expansion to more than one hundred studios across the country, and Santana Row now serves as the gateway for California. Families marking birthdays, teens choosing their first lobes, or anyone refreshing an existing look can step in knowing safety and style receive equal attention in a space designed for comfort from the moment of arrival.

Santana Row already draws crowds for its mix of dining, retail, lifestyle and entertainment attractions, so this just adds another option to the list. Rowan’s intentional design blends medical expertise with welcoming aesthetics, turning what could feel clinical into something celebratory and approachable.

2nd Street USA Brings Japanese Resale Fashion to San Jose

The grand opening of 2nd Street USA takes place at the Strawberry Park Shopping Center on January 30. This marks the brand's first location in Silicon Valley, expanding its presence in California where it already operates 11 stores. Known for its thoughtful approach to fashion resale, 2nd Street offers a curated selection of luxury, vintage, and everyday pieces that emphasize quality and longevity.

The store at 603 Saratoga Ave occupies around 3,450 square feet and joins neighbors like Mitsuwa supermarket and Daiso Japan, creating a natural draw for customers interested in Japanese brands and culture. The company chose this spot after careful scouting, recognizing the South Bay's potential and the synergy with nearby tenants that attract similar shoppers. This opening reflects 2nd Street's steady growth since its U.S. debut in Los Angeles in 2018, now bringing its model to our community.

At the heart of 2nd Street is a commitment to sustainability through its buying program, where customers can bring in used clothing and accessories for cash or store credit. Staff aim to make offers on nearly everything, supporting a circular system that keeps textiles in use longer. Items that don't sell in stores often go to local charities via the Hand2Hand program, reducing waste while giving shoppers an easy way to refresh their wardrobes responsibly. 10 to 15 local jobs will also be created with the new location.

Source: SVBJ

New Retail Sparks in Downtown San Jose at 188 West St. James

There are some promising developments at the housing towers on 188 West St. James Street. These buildings have long featured empty ground-floor commercial spaces totaling around 32,000 square feet, but now brokers are actively seeking tenants to bring them to life. The location stands out for its proximity to San Pedro Square, a hub that draws steady foot traffic from locals and visitors alike. This setup positions the spaces perfectly to serve both residents above and the surrounding community.

Among the ideas gaining traction is a small grocery store modeled after a bodega, the kind of independently owned spot that offers everyday essentials with a personal touch. Such a store could fill much of the 20,000 square feet directly under the housing units, providing quick access to fresh goods without leaving the neighborhood. Other possibilities include a cheese, wine, and delicatessen establishment, which would cater to those seeking specialty items for gatherings or daily treats. The market potential here feels substantial, especially as Downtown grows with more people calling it home.

A two-story building next door along North San Pedro Street opens up even more options, like a restaurant to complement the nearby dining scene or a beauty salon and nail shop for self-care services. While challenges exist, such as the need for significant improvements to make the spaces ready, the overall vibe points toward positive change. These additions could enhance the walkable, community-focused feel that makes Downtown San Jose special, drawing more activity and fostering connections among neighbors.

Source: The Mercury News

Club Studio Fitness Gym Enhances El Paseo de Saratoga in San Jose

Fitness International recently secured a lease for about 30,000 square feet at El Paseo de Saratoga, paving the way for a new Club Studio Fitness gym in the shopping center. Located at 910 to 1000 El Paseo de Saratoga, next to the AMC Saratoga 14 theater, this addition fills a space previously occupied by short-term fitness tenants that have since closed. The move aligns with the company's expansion under its LA Fitness and City Sports Club brands, offering San Jose residents modern workout facilities in a convenient spot at the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Lawrence Expressway.

Sand Hill Property Company oversees the ongoing redevelopment of the mixed-use neighborhood, which includes plans for new housing alongside retail growth. In the past three years, the center has welcomed 16 new merchants, with 10 more on the horizon, including anchors like Whole Foods Market.

Source: The Mercury News