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*------------December 7, 2000-----------*
*---San Jose News and Gossip Bulletin---*
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**No doubt if the Rose Garden neighborhood had a center, it would be along Naglee Street,
between Dana and Park. Traditionally, this neighborhood has lacked a "there." Antonella's
Restaurant had helped this somewhat (before closing suddenly in July), as has a tiny new
park nearby. But, aside from a 1970's-era strip mall at Park and Naglee, there is no
commerical district. Arguably, some of the residents like it this way. However, slowly it
is becoming trendy to be a pedestrian again, and change is in the air. Palo Alto-based
Classic Communities, a real estate developer specializing in in-fill opportunities, is
poised to tear down the suburban-style shopping center at Naglee and Park. Besides
streetside retail (to include a longtime pharmacy tenant and possibly a brandname
coffeeshop), the development will also feature 30 lofts and townhouses. Construction is
slated to begin in May 2001, to be completed (in two phases) by the middle of 2002. If
all goes well, this could provide the ritzy Rose Garden with a visible center and a more
solid identity. So far, the residents have been very receptive to the project.
**After a few slow months, with city and RDA staff reviewing proposals for designing and
implementing a downtown shopping district, things are speeding along. With such heavy
competition, it is not surprising that firms are slinging glamourous promises of hot
anchor tenants. While this is often unrealistic in an up-and-coming city such as San
Jose, the two-year timeline makes it more feasible. The first store will not likely open
its doors until at least April 2002. Likely picks for the brave pioneers are Virgin
Megastore, Urban Outfitters, and the Gap, all of whom are already eyeing the city center.
**No such frustrating waiting period for neighborhood changes, however. Willow Glen
welcomed Artique (an Asian antique merchant) to the main drag last week. The remaining
vacancy, formerly a Chinese eatery, is about to be filled, rumor has it, by a restaurant
serving Northern Italian cuisine. Meanwhile, in the Glen, Dolce Spazio is looking to jump
ship. Despite a loyal customer base, the rather low-profile Italian ice cream parlor
could not drum up as much interest as their Los Gatos location enjoys. Word has it that
Scottsdale, Arizona-based Coldstone Creamery is scouting this and other Lincoln Avenue
sites, and promises to serve up homemade ice cream concoctions somewhere in the city's
trendiest neighborhood within 6 months.
**The Battle for Starbucks...At least two new Japantown complexes have tried
unsuccessfully to lure Starbucks to the rapidly-growing 'hood, now expanding into a
former warehouse district. Peet's Coffee is looking more likely for one of the upscale
developments (at Taylor and 7th). One thing is for sure, the 60 year-old ethnic village
is on fire. Besides the forthcoming Esplanade luxury condo complex lining Jackson St.
(between 7th and 10th), at least four other developments are on the way. One, in the old
Mariani building, promises loft apartments. Three others, to replace a rather unsightly
trucking company on 7th Street, will consist of luxury condos and apartments. Meanwhile,
rents for 1-bedroom units (approx. 750 square feet) are surpassing $2,000 in Japantown's
existing developments. And, as for Starbucks, one source has the international
chain sneaking into the Ryland Mews commercial space just a few blocks away, in Old
Downtown.
**A few other neighborhood happenings...Alameda Neighborhood: While a series of cafes
just could not make it in the ornate former Bank of America banch adjacent to the Towne
Theater, perhaps an upscale furniture store can. The Be Civilized folks are behind the
venture, called ZouZouHouse...Old Downtown: A Christian coffeehouse/concert venue has
opened in the former Oasis Nightclub spot, but the move is only temporary, as the site is
slated for RDA-backed highrise housing within a year or two...Civic Center: Word has it
that civic center mainstay The Sandwich Board is looking to sell, perhaps to one
successful area business-owner who would like to open a pub in the quaint First and
Jackson site...Downtown: Finally, Walgreens, Hawg's Seafood, and (in two weeks) Tengu
Sushi join the downtown scene. Chinese Gourmet Express opens in the former Pavillion
building (First Street side) in January. Next up: The Opry House Theater (once in New
Almaden) wants to be a part of the downtown revival; the two owners of the San Jose
vaudeville mainstay are seeking performance space in an existing restaurant or possibly a
home of their own, albeit a cozy one.
**Hats off to Ken Hardy of Naglee Park for orchestrating the planting of 100 trees on 7th
Street (South University neighborhood; near HW 280) last month. Naglee Park residents are
quite proud of their neighbor's work with Our City Forest over the past 5 years.
**Quote of the Month: "In fact, Santa Claus lives in Santa Cruz, and he's Jewish." --Joe
Cardinalli, one of the founding members of the San Jose Holiday Parade. Now boasting over
over 100,000 spectactors, the parade is eclipsed in California only by Pasadena's Rose
Bowl Parade (San Jose Mercury News, 12/4/00).
++Once again, San Jose is ready for New Year's Eve, though still on a markedly smaller
scale than other big cities. Post Street 2000 kicks off at 6pm on the 31st, and features
live music and food throughout the historic downtown block. Waves Smokehouse's Joel
Wyrick, never one to sit still, organizes the bash. For more info., visit Waves' home on
the Web at www.waves-smokehouse.com.
++ Visit the San Jose News and Gossip Bulletin web site at
www.angelfire.com/ca4/sanjosengb. The site features past issues, links to EVERYTHING that
screams San Jose, as well as the Bulletin's mission statement.
ATTENTION: Online neighborhood groups, business associations, and city promotions
organizations -- if appropriate, please provide a link to the Bulletin from your own
site.
++ Keep the gossip coming!! I want to emphasize that all sources shall remain completely
anonymous.
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Please send all news or gossip regarding new business openings, redevelopment projects,
celebrity sightings, and other interesting gems concerning San Jose to
todd_95130@yahoo.com.
To be added to the monthly bulletin, please email the above address.
The San Jose News and Gossip Bulletin is a free monthly newsletter intended
to boost city pride, to foster a vital link between city districts, and
to provide information on current and future plans for downtown and the
neighborhoods. Information is gathered from a variety of sources,
including non-profit organizations, neighborhood business
associations, local and national newswires, as well as city government
meetings and documents. All items are written by myself, unless otherwise noted.
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