By Clarence Cromwell
A pair of longtime Los Gatos businesses--Paul's Jewelers and Vida European Fashion--are disappearing for a while, as Sue's and Joey's apparel shops expand.
Both Paul's and Vida have occupied their respective storefronts more than 12 years, since the retail center at Elm Street and N. Santa Cruz Avenue opened.
The businesses received notice the last Saturday in January that the owners of Sue's and Joey's--currently shoehorned into one shop next to Vida--would expand into the other two shops' spaces.
Vida's last day of business was March 29.
Vida Owner Carleen Weady said she might rent a space at Old Town, after the renovation is finished in about a year. Until then, she will wait.
Joey's owner, Joe Zahriya, plans to enlarge his store, currently adjacent to Sue's, by moving into Vida's space next door. The shops will still be connected via interior archways.
Paul's Jewelers will remain open until sometime in May. Owner Werner Baracker said he's searching for a new store space in the Los Gatos area to sell his custom-made jewelry. Werner said he needs to stay in the area to remain close to his customers. In the meantime, he said, he'll continue his part-time job managing a local music group. Baracker said he's been in Los Gatos 14 years and has conducted business in the San Jose area since 1954.
When Paul's Jewelers closes its doors, Susan Linville, owner of Sue's, plans to launch a children's clothing store there. She plans to name the new shop Eric's, in honor of her son.
This article appeared in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times, April 16, 1997.
©1997 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.