Six-Story Apartment and Retail Building Rising on The Alameda

Yet another residential project is coming to The Alameda, a district that is really blooming over the last few years. I think the Whole Foods which opened a year ago was just the inflection point the area needed.

This latest project will rise six stories and has a charming aesthetic that will go with the neighborhood. Included in the building are 168 apartments (some of which are "affordable housing") and a respectable 22,000 SQFT of commercial and office space. There could be up to four retail pads fronting The Alameda. Oh, and that Whole Foods I mentioned is right next door.

There will be a total of  273 parking spaces underground split between residents and guest parking for the commercial units. The developer will also pay $2 million to help fund a future expansion of Del Monte Park.

Ground-breaking has already taken place and the construction is expected to be completed in early 2018.

Source: The Merc, On The Alameda

BART is Bringing Retail to Stations

Several modular retail kiosks are coming to the Bay Area's 44 BART stations. This should add extra convenience to BART's 400,000 daily users. There will even be a companion app to the retail pods that would allow passengers to run errands such as dropping off and picking up laundry as part of their trip. These types of services could go a long way in helping people get out of their cars and utilize public transit more.

Perhaps instead of using kiosks, retail can be fully baked into the design for the upcoming BART Silicon Valley Phase 2 extension--especially since the bulk of those stations will be located in the Downtown San Jose area.

The retail kiosks are already operating in Downtown San Francisco and will reach five more stations by the end of the year. Square footage is going to vary from 600 SQFT at Union City to 2,172 SQFT at Castro Valley. I imagine that San Jose's Berryessa station will likely be towards the larger end of the retail spectrum given the station's size and location.

Source: SVBJ

Bass Pro Shops Opens San Jose Store

There are very few retailers out there with fans that are willing to drive 50+ miles and plan their whole day around a store visit. Bass Pro Shops is on that short list. They officially opened their San Jose store on Almaden Expressway a couple weeks ago, which is the only one in the Bay Area and the fourth in all of California. About 10,000 people came for the grand opening.

The San Jose store is larger than an average Costco at 145,000 SQFT. It features a huge array of camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and general outdoor gear. If that wasn't enough, it has its own 12-lane underwater-themed bowling alley, a seafood restaurant, a full bar, an indoor archery range, and a 15,000 gallon aquarium worthy of a zoo. The store employs over 200 people.

Bass Pro Shops is located at 5160 Cherry Avenue and is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm and Sunday from 10am to 8pm.

Source: SVBJ

Kit and Ace Opening First Silicon Valley Location in San Jose

Santana Row is getting yet another premier tenant this month. Kit and Ace is a contemporary luxury apparel store that prides itself on "technical luxury," a combination of premium fibers with comfort and functionality. High-end clothing tends to be dry-clean only or fades/falls apart after a few washes. Kit and Ace specifically designs their clothing to be easy to maintain and last a long time--perhaps due to the fact that the line's proprietors are closely related to the founder of Lululemon. Even their cashmere apparel is machine washable.

I also like how there is an element of technology and innovation in their clothing line. Features includes smart ventilation, articulated knees on pants, hidden pockets, sewn inseams, and special materials that minimize wrinkles. It seems like an appropriate clothing store for Silicon Valley.

Hyper-local elements are also incorporated in each store. The San Jose location will have light fixtures and custom furnishings created by a San Jose designer.

Kit and Ace only has two other locations in California: Los Angeles and San Francisco. Their Santana Row store will be the first in Silicon Valley when it opens this Thursday, September 24th. To learn more about the company and see their clothing lines, head over here.

Shannon and JJ Wilson (wife and son of Chip Wilson, Lululemon founder)

Santana Row Proposes More Growth Than Expected

The original plan for Santana Row is nearly complete. However, before Federal Realty (Santana Row's owners) move their focus across the street, they are asking for a few items not in the original scope of the project. Here are the main asks:

• 510,000 SQFT of new office space [Josh: I'm sure the city will do everything possible to make this happen]
• 55,651 SQFT of new retail
• A five-level parking structure
• A new Santana Row entrance on Tisch Way.
• Permanent closure of Santana Row Road to traffic from Olin Avenue to Olsen Drive, creating a new pedestrian zone [Josh: this area is already shut down on weekends]
• Additional Screen for the CineArts movie theater
• Six new rooms at Hotel Valencia

It doesn't seem like any of these items are unreasonable and the main concerns will be around traffic. We'll see if the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line can help alleviate some of those issues along with the possibility of building some spectacular pedestrian bridges between Santana Row and Valley Fair (see conceptual drawings below).

Sources: The Merc, San Jose Development Forum

Spring Cleaning Sale at The DH Co.

Our friends at the DH Co. are having a spring cleaning sale through Monday where you can save 40% off locally made shirts, tees, and hoodies. All you have to do is visit  http://www.thedhco.com and put in the discount code: SPRING40. Please support our local retailers!

Valley Fair May Be Getting Upscale Movie Theater and Ultra-Premium Home Store

More details of Valley Fair's expansion and renovation are leaking out. Apparently Old Navy and Sports Authority are not high-end enough. The mall is planning to tear down both of these buildings along with a Chase Bank and build a new 86,000 SQFT addition with a ShowPlace ICON movie theater and Pirch home store. The Chase Bank will be rebuilt as a two-story freestanding building along Stevens Creek.

ShowPlace ICON is a high-end movie theater with a lounge that features a fancy menu and cocktails. Inside the screening rooms you'll find premium seating for those 21 and over, complete with over-sized loveseats. Tickets will likely be in the $20 range. There are only two ICON movie theaters in the US.

Pirch is an ultra-upscale home store where you can walk out with an oven that costs more than a fully-loaded Tesla. Upon entering the store they will give you complementary blackberry limeade and a spa robe so that you can test out their shower heads in the store itself. If Pirch gets built, it will be the first in all of Northern California.

For more details, hit the source link below.

Source: SVBJ

Bonobos Guideshop Santana Row Now Open

The first Bonobos Guideshop in Silicon Valley is now open at Santana Row. Bonobos is a menswear e-retailer that is know for personalized/tailored fits and great customer service. While you try on the clothes in the store, you can have everything shipped to your home for free. Check out the description below of how the process works. Sounds like the perfect business model for Silicon Valley!

About the Bonobos Guideshop:

The Bonobos Guideshop brings Bonobos’ personalized and comprehensive shopping experience to life with a physical e-commerce store. The brick-and-mortar Guideshop offers men the opportunity to look, feel and try on current collections from Bonobos before purchasing, guided throughout the process by a skilled Bonobos Guide.

Once fit for style and size, customers can make a purchase at Bonobos.com while at the Guideshop, through help from a Guide, or later at home. Sizing + order information is saved to an online customer profile for easy access later, and product arrives (with free shipping + returns!) 1-5 days after the order is placed.

How the Guideshop Works:

• Make an appointment for a one-on-one fitting with a Bonobos Guide at www.bonobos.com/guideshop; walk-in appointments are also welcome
• Once you’re fit, check out at Bonobos.com either during your Guideshop appointment, with the help of a Guide, or place your order at home later
• Shipping is free and items are delivered to your doorstep in 2-5 days
• Bonobos offers easy returns (free return shipping) and guarantees 100% customer satisfaction

Needle to the Groove Downtown

Did you know Downtown San Jose has a record store? Needle to the Grove opened last summer on Santa Clara Street between 9th and 10th, and carries over 10,000 LPs! If you are a music love, collector, DJ, or just want to support a local store, head over there and check them out. You can also follow the store's Facebook page over here.

UByAN Baby & Kid's Thrift Store Closing

After 17 years in business, a thrift shop for kids on Bascom is closing down since their building is about to be torn down. Below is the note that we received from UByAN. Best of luck to to them and hopefully they will find a new home elsewhere in San Jose.

UByAN - New & Used Baby and Kids' Stuff is closing it's doors this week after 17 years of providing the San Jose community
with gently used & recycled baby and kids' clothing, furniture and equipment.

UByAN wants to thank the San Jose and surrounding communities for their patronage all these years.

A very sincere and heartfelt thank you.
Lilian Flores
UByAN - New & Used Baby and Kids' Stuff
www.ubyan.com

San Jose Pop-Up Project Map

Shop local this Holiday Season! There are 23 great shops in Downtown San Jose this holiday season, nine of which are pop-ups. Visit them all using the handy map below!

Holiday SJMade @ San Pedro Square Market This Weekend!

If you want to shop local this holiday season, you have to check out the special Holiday version of SJMADE at the San Pedro Square Market this weekend. You will be able to find all sorts of goodies from San Jose labels, brands, entrepreneurs, and artists. The event will run from 11am-6am both Saturday and Sunday.

Holiday SJMADE is back!!!

December 13th-14th, 2014
11am-6pm
Saturday-Sunday

San Pedro Square Market
87 N. San Pedro Street,
Downtown San Jose

Yes we know, it's been a couple of years since the last Holiday SJMADE but it's back and better than ever!

Are you on the hunt for those unique, fun, one-of-a-kind gifts?  Whether it's for your Mom, your BFF, or your cousin's best friend's brother's great aunt who you've never met, you'll find the most awesome gifts for everyone!

So pack your holiday spirit in your reusable bag and get to the Holiday SJMADE on December 13th & 14th from 11am to 6pm at San Pedro Square Market.

Attending SJMADE is the best way to shop local this holiday season!
San Jose Made (SJMADE) is a vendor fair for local San Jose makers, labels, brands, small businesses, and artists showcasing and selling current projects and goods.

Citation Homes Bought Toys R Us Site For Mixed-use Project

Santa Clara-based Citation Homes recently purchased a parcel at 751 S. Winchester Boulevard in San Jose. The only thing on the lot today is a Toys R Us, which will eventually be razed to make way for a mixed-use project that is still in the early planning stages. There aren't many details, but one of the things we know for sure is that the new project will contain both retail and housing.

However, don't expect shovels in the ground anytime soon. Toys R Us has a lease that runs at least until early 2016 and could likely be extended even further. For more info, hit the source link below.

Source: SVBJ

Moving Petals Blooms in the South Bay

Food trucks started the mobile vendor crazy, and lately more and more retail-oriented businesses have been getting into the action as well. A San Jose-based flower shop is the newest vendor to go mobile.

Moving Petals is the South Bay’s first flower market on wheels. They offer custom handcrafted bouquets right out of the truck, offering both convenience and quality. Their goal is be be at the forefront of the mobile movement and strive to become a recognized pillar in the community.

I think it's a great idea and hopefully we'll see them around at the many major events in San Jose each year. The Moving Petals truck is already scheduled to be at Oktoberfest at San Pedro Square on October 11th, the Willow Glen Beer Walk on October 25th, and the Halloween Parade in Willow Glen on October 31st.

To find out more, head on over to the Moving Petals website. To locate the truck, follow them on Facebook or Twitter.

San Pedro Square Market Planning Expansion!

Since launching in October 2011, the San Pedro Square Market has become a pivotal success that is changing perceptions of Downtown San Jose and serving as a catalyst for development. It is one of the biggest wins Downtown has ever had. Now, the SPSM is planning their first major expansion and has already acquired a 13,045 SQFT parcel across the street for this purpose.

Today, this lot consists of a small house being used as an office for History San Jose and a surface parking lot. Eventually this will likely become a two-story building with retail on the ground floor residential or office on the top floor. The retail piece could easily be 40% of the square footage the Market has today and either support multiple vendors or larger, more traditional restaurants and shops. The icing on the cake is that they will incorporate some sort of public space next to the Fallen House, much like they did with the Peralta Adobe in the middle of the Market.

My personal wishlist item for the expansion would be an underground Speakeasy bar similar to Singlebarrel. How cool would that be?

Other retail will be coming as well. Centerra will have 8,000 SQFT on the ground floor of its tower right across the street from the Market and KT Properties is going to build two high-rise towers with the same amount of retail as exists today at the Market. This means within 4-5 years we may have triple the amount of restaurants and shops we have today in the San Pedro Square Market area. I can't wait to see how this shapes up!

Source: SVBJ

Indian Motorcycle Opening Up Shop in San Jose

A new Indian Motorcycle dealership clocking in at 8,988 SQFT is schedule to open at 460 Meridian Avenue this summer in a space that used to host a Diddams party supply warehouse. The location will carry both new and used Indian and Victory brand bikes, parts, apparel, and will also have a service shop.

When it opens, it will be the only Indian Motorcycle franchise in San Jose and one of two in the Bay Area. The grand opening weekend is schedule for June 28-29 and they will be celebrating with food, music, prizes, and test-rides.

Source: SVBJ

On The Cusp Pop-up Shop @ Black & Brown

Shona Sanzgiri is a writer/editor from San Jose that has been commuting between New York and here for the last six months. He's trying to bring some elements from New York over here in a variety of projects. His latest one is a pop-up shop at Black & Brown on the Alameda  featuring the work of clothing designers, artists, photographers, and writers from both NYC and SJ.

Some of the items will include limited prints, photographs, clothing, accessories, and random curios & tchotchkes from places like Bombay's Thieves Bazaar, a photo-book by Diane Keaton, a napkin Harmony Korine once drew on, etc.

The pop-up shop will be open for two weeks starting March 22nd. The opening reception will run from 5pm to 8pm tomorrow and feature food & refreshments by Dena Cooks (Tunisian Table, America's Test Kitchen). For more info you can check out the On The Cusp website.

Westgate Expansion Has Broken Ground

Federal Realty (which also owns Santana Row) recently wrapped up a $15 million renovation at Westgate Center. Those upgrades were focused around improving existing space. However, they have just broken ground on another renovation project that will result in a new 14,400 SQFT retail building at the corner of Saratoga and West Campbell Avenue. This is where the RetroDome used to sit.

The new structure will have a Corner Bakery Cafe, Veggie Grill, Vitamin Shoppe, and Verizon Wireless. There is also room for a fifth tenant in the building. The Corner Bakery Cafe will be the first in San Jose. The only other Santa Clara County location is in Palo Alto. As for Veggie Grill, this is one of the hottest vegetarian restaurants on the West Coast. This will be their second Northern California location and the only other one is at Santana Row. I'm a complete carnivore and even I love this restaurant.

The project should be completed by fall. You can find the full release below.

Westgate Center Has Broken Ground Again

Offering New Retailers in Coveted Corner Spot

Four tenants signed: Corner Bakery Café, The Veggie Grill, Vitamin Shoppe and Verizon Wireless

San Jose, CA (Feb. 25, 2014) – Federal Realty Investment Trust, owners of Westgate Center, recently completed a $15 million major renovation transforming the 52-year-old mall into a one-stop destination offering family-friendly amenities and high quality retailers.

In an effort to continually improve and enhance the experience at Westgate Center, Federal Realty has announced that construction has begun on the center’s retail pad site located on the heavily traveled corner of Saratoga Avenue and West Campbell Avenue.  The ideal corner site will include the addition of four new tenants, including San Jose’s first Corner Bakery Café.

The new 14,400 sq.-foot retail building, in a highly visible spot near a popular shopping area, will also include The Veggie Grill, Vitamin Shoppe and Verizon Wireless, with space for a fifth yet-to-be-named tenant. Construction should to be completed in the fall.

Corner Bakery Café, known for its delectable Cinnamon Crème Coffee Cake and tasty meals, is opening this fall at Westgate Center.

The fast-casual restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers baked goods in a bright, family-friendly atmosphere. Prices range from 99 cents to $9.99 and choices include sandwiches, soups, pastas and breakfast specials. The menu also features kids’ selections, seasonal items, healthy fare and treats such as cookies, cakes and pies. The Westgate Center location will seat about 100 diners inside and 40 diners in an outdoor area. It is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Established in 1991, Corner Bakery Cafe was founded on a philosophy of creating a place for people to relax and gather with family and friends. For more information, go towww.cornerbakerycafe.com.

.

The Veggie Grill, home of the popular “All Hail Kale” salad, serves healthy, light, vegetarian fare as well as gluten-free and soy-free items. Classic American favorites like soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches as well as creative dishes such as burritos, bowls and “Buffalo wings” are made with wholesome, plant-based ingredients.

Named one of L.A.’s “can’t miss” cheap-eats by Los Angeles magazine and best vegetarian/vegan restaurant by the Orange County Register, The Veggie Grill is scheduled to open in the fall.

For more information, go to www.veggiegrill.com.

The Vitamin Shoppe, dedicated to helping people fulfill their health and wellness needs, is a specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products ranging from vitamins and minerals to nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas, homeopathic remedies, and health and beauty aids. The store offers more than 18,000 items from 400-plus brands. The Vitamin Shoppe at Westgate is scheduled to open this fall. For more information, go to www.vitaminshoppe.com.

Verizon Wireless, the largest mobile network operator in the U.S., is opening a retail store at Westgate where customers can shop for wireless services as well as mobile phones and accessories. Verizon will open this fall. For more information, go to www.verizonwireless.com.

About Westgate Center
Westgate Center, located in San Jose, California is a 645,000 square-foot community center offering a one-stop family destination for shopping, dining and entertainment. Westgate Center features over 50 shops and restaurants and is anchored by Target, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Old Navy, Burlington Coat Factory, Nordstrom Rack, Michaels, Any Mountain and Ross. Westgate Center is a property of Federal Realty Investment Trust www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit shopwestgatecenter.com.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, development, and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 20 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.8% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of December 31, 2013, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.5% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 46 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT.

Campaign to Reopen Cine Mexico Theater

The Cine Mexico Theater on Santa Clara Street opened as the Mayfair in 1949 and was once owned by Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak in the 1980s. Stephanie Chang has initiated a gofundme campaign to reopen the neglected landmark as a live music and entertainment venue. She is also proposing to reinstall a projector and show movies again as well as adding a coffeehouse, cafe, and art gallery. Stephanie is looking to raise $19,000 for the project.

For more information, just head over to the gofundme page. Thanks to Alyssa Kies for sending this in!

Wednesday Wishlist: Retail Under Highways

In Houston, one of this issues that is currently holding back developers are the highways that bifurcate the city, especially in their downtown area. Gensler (which is a SF-based firm) suggested building retail underneath Houston highways to better connect city streets divided by highways and spur development. I have seen this concept in action when I visited Tokyo many years ago. Heck, there are even whole shopping malls built underneath streets and highways there.

Building retail underneath highways and major roads could make a lot of sense for Downtown San Jose, especially where Highway 87 crosses Santa Clara Street and San Fernando Street. Eventually we will have major art installations in both of those locations, but having retail there would take it to the next level. North Almaden and 87 (leading to Little Italy) would be another great spot. I'm sure there are several potential retail sites along 280 as well.

What do you guys think?

Source: Anonymous Poster, Houston Business Journal