The market for antiques continues to be healthy

By Don Callahan

Antique Shops ... Some empty shops in Los Gatos do not stay empty for very long. Last month we talked about Roger and Mary Mills vacating their shop at 6 University Ave. As of July 1, and after 9 years at their Main Street location, Del Martinez and her son, Gabriel, have moved Del's Antiques to the 6 University Ave. location.

Martinez said, "It was hard to move, but this is a wonderful location and we have more room. Between San Francisco and Los Gatos, I have been in this business for 28 years, and my son has been my partner for the last 10. We had to leave San Francisco after the earthquake because our tourists were afraid to come into the city for fear of another one." Martinez continues, "I have lived in Los Gatos for 25 years and this seemed like the logical place to reopen my store. I am so glad I was forced to make the move."

Del's specializes in 18th- and 19th-century country French furniture, handpainted Limoges, Haviland, RS Prussiaware and sterling-silver serving pieces.

The good news ... The Yokohama Bistro Sushi Bar will open at the beginning of August, at 336A N. Santa Cruz Ave., the previous home of Hug-a-Berry. Owner Young K. Kim is moving his business from Capitola to Los Gatos because "I live locally and many of my customers would come over the hill. This way I have brought my business to my customers. After 2 1/2 years in Capitola, I hope to find that 336A N. Santa Cruz Ave., will be my home forever."

The bad news ... That rent problem again. Curious Book Store is moving to Seattle, Wash. The store opened at the old Bank of America Building at the northeast corner of Main Street and N. Santa Cruz Avenue some 22 years ago and then moved five years ago, to its present location at 23 E. Main St.

Bovay Burkhart bought the business this last March. In our interview he said, "I knew that the lease would be up in a few months, but, I had no idea that the rent increase would be twice the current amount."

Burkhart is new to the used book business, but the attraction was natural. "I'm a treasure hunter. I like to find treasure items and this business gives you that satisfaction." Burkhart says business has been good, but not good enough to take care of the rent increase. "A 27-year-old business should not be forced out of town because of increases in rent. Allowing the national firms to move into town, with their ability to pay higher rents, is just squeezing out the small shop owners," Burkhart says. "They ought to call 'Old Town' New Town. The only businesses that will be left will be the national companies and restaurants. Los Gatos will be without its only used book store."

On the Boulevard ... Look for Cellular One to open in the near future at the Blossom Hill Pavilion at the corner of Los Gatos Boulevard and Blossom Hill Road. When Starbucks Coffee moved down a couple of doors, real estate agent Dave Taxin, of Meacham/Oppenheimer Inc., went to work. He secured a low impact parking retail store for the shopping center that also houses Hollywood Videos, Super Crown Books and Jamba Juice.

Not a Garage ... Twenty-one years ago, Judy Wade opened Backdoor Boutique on her back porch at the corner of 4th Street and Winchester Boulevard right behind the Valley Fair Shopping Center. Although she had a master's degree in systems engineering, she wanted to be a homebody mom to her children and operating the Boutique gave her that opportunity. Wade has had her shop at 100 N. Santa Cruz Ave. for the last six years and has decided to retire. All clothing, jewelry and accessories are on sale. A final word from Wade, "Please put this quote in your column for me. I know there are a number of small local retailers feeling the pressure of higher rents, but I want to tell you that my landlord, Gary Cucconi, is an absolute wonderful landlord. He has stuck to his lease agreement with me, except at those times when he did not raise the rent when our agreement stated he should. If he could not get in touch with a repair person when needed, he would come to the store and fix the problem himself. I just want the town to know that there are reasonable landlords out there. Gary, thank you."

On the move ... Everett Lakoduk, has moved his Kitchen Studio Los Gatos from 290 N. Santa Cruz Ave. to 214 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Lakoduk designs and sells kitchen cabinets and is the distributor for premanufactured granite counter tops. With years of experience in the construction/cabinetry business, Lakoduk specializes in high-end, high-quality work and good business ownership. "Accordingly," he says, "I make my profit when I buy my materials, not when I sell my product. By watching my costs I do not need to pass inflated material costs on to my customers." Having lived in Monterey for years, he and his friends would often comment, "Let's go to Los Gatos and get some summer." So when it came time to open his shop in 1998, he says, "This had to be the place." Sharing space with his Studio will be Rebecca's Well Design & Remodeling firm. More on Rebecca Dunn Rivera, owner, next month.

Another move ... Wolfe Camera has vacated its spot at the corner of Los Gatos-Saratoga Road and N. Santa Cruz Ave. All the equipment and film supplies have been moved to their other location at 730 Blossom Hill Road in the Kings Court Shopping Center.

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Got a business tip for Don Callahan's monthly column? Contact him by fax at 408.354.3917, or email at decallahan@home.com.

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