The pink eyesore on De Anza Boulevard won't remain an eyesore for long.
The building that once held Sirens' Cafe, at 10100 N. De Anza Boulevard, will be getting a new occupant in May.
Armadillo Willy's, a Cupertino restaurant since 1983, has leased the building and submitted plans to the Planning Department for interior and exterior improvements. The restaurant at 10235 S. De Anza Boulevard will be relocating to the new site.
"We have a plan in the office from Armadillo Willy's to do some tentative remodeling," said Bob Cowan, director of Community Development. "Every restaurant likes to have its own little signature."
Armadillo Willy's plans to gut the inside of the store. Although plans for the outside have yet to be completed, architects are looking into trellises or some type of an arbor system, said John Berwald, founder of Armadillo Willy's.
By moving to 10100 N. De Anza, Armadillo Willy's will more than double its space. The current location is nearly 1,200 square feet. The new building, close to 5,000 square feet, will provide upstairs storage, office space and seating for 120 people.
"Cupertino is about 60 percent takeout. Our other restaurants are 20 percent takeout," Berwald said. "That tells us there's no room to sit. People are forced to do takeout."
The Cupertino Armadillo Willy's was the first of the chain's eight restaurants. With a seating capacity of 25, it is also the smallest.
"We outgrew it, literally, 16 years ago when it opened," Berwald said. "[A new location] has been long overdue. We're looking forward to spreading out a little bit."
The occupant prior to Armadillo Willy's was Sirens' Cafe, a combination flower shop and pizza parlor, which stayed open for nearly eight months. Sirens closed two years ago, and the building has stood empty since.
Armadillo Willy's has been trying to lease the space for several years now. "We tried to get in before the last place was in there. When Croutons left, the salad place, we tried to get it, but he leased it again. We've been waiting for the person there to go out."
Even though Sirens' Cafe closed, the tenant would not give up rights to the lease, so the building remained vacant, according to David Farley, a representative for the family trust that owns the property.
"That building has been vacant, but there actually has been a lease that's been in effect for quite a while," Farley said. "It was just the previous tenant's choice to vacate it."
Armadillo Willy's submitted its plans on Dec. 23, and once plans are approved, remodeling should be completed in two months. The target opening date is May 1.
Cupertino, California Since 1947
