Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Makeover: New shops anticipated at the Willow Glen Shopping Center are Burger King, Togo's and Starbucks.
Major makeover launched at dilapidated shopping center
After enduring a steady decline in business, things are looking up for Willow Glen Shopping Center
By Chantal Lamers
It's a cloudy, quiet Tuesday morning at the Willow Glen Shopping Center on the corner of Curtner Avenue and Almaden Road. A man dressed in scruffy old jeans and pulling an empty shopping cart comes to a garbage can and looks inside. He passes the can and notices a little black dog running along in front of him. "It sure is a ghost town around here today," he says to the dog. A few dozen cars are scattered around the parking lot and there's nobody else in sight.
It's been pretty quiet around the shopping center for years.
But Joe Kovalik, whose family has owned the shopping center for about eight years, says that's about to change. And if all goes according to plan, a major overhaul of the shopping center will get underway sometime this week.
"We want to change the image," Kovalik says. "We want to make it safe so people don't have to worry about panhandlers."
Nearly three years ago, officials from San Jose's Office of Economic Development ran a survey of about 110 shopping centers around town. Officials choose to help out the Willow Glen Shopping Center because of its potential for revitalization.
Michelle McGurk, chief of staff for District 6 Councilman Frank Fiscalini, says the Office of Economic Development helped Kovalik with technical assistance, such as finding an architect and cutting through some of the red tape. However, the city hasn't provided the project with any money, she says.
The Willow Glen Shopping Center has worn sidewalks. The light-blue paint is faded and chipping. Soda and water vending machines are marked by graffiti. Transients panhandle passing shoppers.
Over the past few years, the shopping center has experienced a rash of transients loitering, scaring off long-time and potential customers. But Kovalik says since security guards were hired to patrol the property, transients are frequenting the shopping center less. He says the liquor store and laundromat will be moving off of the property, which should reduce loitering around the center.
The shopping center's facelift includes all new storefront signs, new paint, dozens of palm trees, park benches and a refurbished parking lot. Kovalik also says along with a new look, the shopping center will sport the new name of "Willow Glen Plaza."
The shopping center is modeled after Mainstreet Plaza, located at Blossom Hill Road and Santa Teresa Boulevard.
New stores will be moving into the shopping center, too. Hollywood Video bought the bank building on the property that stood vacant for about seven years. Hollywood Video is still under construction.
A personal fitness training center, Unlimited Potential, will move into part of the liquor store. Kovalik hopes that Safeway, which is also in need of an upgrade, will renew its lease, and expand and remodel its store.
When the dust settles, Kovalik says there will be 20 stores at the center. Kovalik is negotiating with possible new tenants. He won't name names, but he would say the shops include a well-known coffee chain, a pizza restaurant and perhaps a sandwich shop.
Many shops are scheduled to stay around, such as San Jose Fly Fishing, BJ Service Center and Cash Checking, World Nutrition Center, Colombiano restaurant, Almaden Theaters, Fontanetti's sporting goods, Tina's cafe, Marmist cocktails, Frank's Barber shop, Sophisticate Coiffeurs and Hooz Donuts.
Kovalik says the shopping center should have been remodeled a long time ago. He says he's run into one problem after another. Kovalik recently learned from the San Jose Department of Public Works that he may have to pay to redo the sidewalks that run along the outside of the shopping center on Almaden Road.
"Everything takes time," he says. "We'll begin any day now."
He says once construction begins, it'll take about seven to eight months to finish the work if the weather and other potential delays don't complicate the process.
Kovalik wants the new shopping center to have a small town atmosphere. "I feel not only will it attract people--but keep people here longer ... The tenants are excited about it."
Frank Caravelli, owner of Frank's Barbershop, believes the shopping center will be upscale once the remodeling is complete and the new stores move in. Caravelli, who has owned the barbershop for 12 years, says his customers are constantly asking him when the shopping center will be remodeled. Now, Caravelli has an answer.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
