The Willow Glen Resident 1998: The Year in Review Ten new businesses open in WG, and one old business puts community in the national news By Cecily Barnes Something profound occurred in Willow Glen during the 1998 year. A commerce bomb exploded, littering more than 10 new businesses in and around downtown Willow Glen. Bristling from the aftershock, other shops expanded, moved and changed names. The Black Sea Gallery, Absolute Indulgence, Peninsula Beauty Supply, Mio Vicino, Togo's, Juliann's Bakery, Blockbuster, the Tea Totaler, Sangrai Restaurant and Papa John's Pizza opened their doors for the first time. White Dove Cafe and Kragen expanded to larger Willow Glen locations, and new owners purchased Sharky's Bar and the Daisy Patch. During all the activity, a few businesses were sacrificed at the altar of progress--Willow Glen Bagels and the Family Pharmacy. And, for unclear reasons, Willow Glen Billiards and Brew renamed itself The Glen. Also this year, the trendy strip mall that replaced the dilapidated Electrical Appliance building filled to maximum capacity. Within the half-mile stretch of Lincoln Avenue between Willow Street and Minnesota Avenue, seven shops now serve up coffee drinks and bagels, including Manhattan Bagels, Noah's Bagels, La Boulangerie, Starbucks, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Jamba Juice and the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company. District 6 chief-of-staff Joe Guerra, who's had his hand in every aspect of the community for over a decade, decided to move up in the world, saying, "Willow Glen is done"--meaning cooked, finished and looking great. Guerra now holds a position in the budget office under Mayor Ron Gonzales. Willow Glen also made the national media this year, thanks to a small cement penis stolen off the statue of David outside Patrick Mormon's Victorian House Antiques. Thanks for getting us on the map. And on a sadder note, the community rallied together around a series of profound tragedies that shook residents of Willow Glen. To the family of Oscar and David Perez, our sincere condolences. [ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Willow Glen Resident, December 30, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.