Photograph by Dai Sugano
George Newton is manager of the new Patrick James men's clothing store in the Village.
Upscale Patrick James shop now at home in the Village
By Rebecca Ray
Buying a man's shirt and tie in Saratoga Village has become a reality.
Patrick James, a traditional men's clothing and sportswear store, has moved into the location where Bit O' Country antiques and collectibles previously did business at 14527 Big Basin Way. The upscale store, which is 1,600 square feet, sells custom suits, weekend and resort wear.
The store might also start to sell Tommy Bahama women's winter and summer sportswear in the spring, said Patrick James owner Patrick James Mon Pere, the company's namesake.
The Village store will be the 12th Patrick James location in California and the sixth in the Bay Area, Mon Pere said.
"We're excited about being in Saratoga," Mon Pere said. "I think we'll do good business there."
Although the store opened Oct. 21, the grand opening reception took place at the store Nov. 10. According to George Newton, manager and sole employee at the Saratoga store, work on the shop finished earlier than originally planned, so they opened one month early.
The storefront has a new look, with forest green panels flanked by brick, matching brick boxes, a red-shingled roof and gold light fixtures with candle-shaped bulbs. The dark green sign reads "Patrick James Purveyor to Gentlemen" in gold calligraphy.
The dark wood counter, forest green panels with gold trim and antique tables, chairs and mirror inside match the store's exterior. Newton has also laid out ties on a table that overlap each other and surround a display of a jacket, shirt and tie.
New landscaping was planned prior to the grand opening.
"We hope we'll become part of the community here in Saratoga, an asset," he said.
The city gave Patrick James a one-time $20,000 incentive to move into the Village, as part of the city's plan to revitalize business districts by attracting stores that will bring more business to the city. The city's plan also includes renovating the Village and hiring an economic development coordinator.
"We'd like to get to know the other retailers, and we feel we have an obligation and the responsibility, with the assistance we've gotten from the city," said Mon Pere.
Patrick James lost its previous lease in the Pruneyard Shopping Center in Campbell and was looking for a new location in Santa Clara County when the Village location opened up. According to Newton, the location is a good one because of the good customer base from Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Los Gatos and Cupertino.
Some Saratoga merchants have questioned the city's decision to spend such a large sum on a store that they say might not be the right kind of store for the Village. Some have said the incentive is not fair to existing businesses.
However, the city sees the store as a good and needed addition to the downtown area.
City Manager Dave Anderson said the city expects that the money will be paid back to the city within four years through sales tax and business license tax revenues. If money is not paid back through tax revenues, or if the store leaves the location, it must pay the city back.
Mon Pere estimates annual sales for the store to reach $650,000 after a few years, of which the city will receive one percent, or up to $6,500 per year.
According to Newton, Patrick James hopes it will draw other independents, such as jewelers and florists, to the Village.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
