Willow Glen Resident

News

Zanotto's eyeing the Bird Avenue Albertsons location

By Alicia Upano

Residents' dreams of bringing a specialty grocer into Willow Glen may have come a step closer to reality when Zanotto's expressed interest in the Albertsons' site on Bird Avenue.

The Bird Avenue store is one of 37 underperforming Albertsons in Northern California slated to close by early August, and the timing is fortuitous at the Bird Avenue location, because, according to Troy Tibbils, co-owner of Zanotto's Downtown Market, the lease is set to expire Aug.15.

Zanotto's caught wind of the closures early and thought the space would be a good fit for its markets, given the Willow Glen residents who already shop at the Zanotto's Downtown Market or receive deliveries. There is also a Zanotto's at the corner of Naglee and Bascom avenues.

"I think the store will do really well there," said Tibbils. "I think we can really change the atmosphere and turn it into a neighborhood market."

Tibbils envisions creating a Zanotto's that emphasizes the best of its downtown store, while still catering to the specific needs of the Willow Glen community. The downtown store carries fresh produce, wine, cheese and artisan breads. It also has a deli, sushi and salad bar. Tibbils said he's open to the idea of bringing coffee kiosks into the store.

Zanotto's is in early talks with the property manager, San Diego-based Asset Management Group. Tibbils hopes Zanotto's, although not a national chain, can convince the property owner it is a viable business for the Willow Glen Village Shopping Center.

If the two parties can work out an agreement, Tibbils envisions Zanotto's moving in to the space as early as mid-September. Given the quick opening, Zanotto's would not do a major remodel but would "spruce it up" by making the aging space more open and cleaner. The market would also install new freezers. Long-term, Zanotto's may look at other modifications, he said.

The specialty grocer, which is a family-run business, is asking the neighborhood for support and advice regarding its plans, Tibbils said.

To Willow Glen Neighborhood Association President Ed Rast, any specialty grocer would be a good fit for Bird Avenue.

"Willow Glen residents haven't shopped at Albertson's in a long time, or at least only when they have to. Albertsons only carry the basics," Rast said.

Instead, Willow Glen residents said they leave the neighborhood to shop at the Midtown Safeway, Lunardi's Market, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods Market and Cosentino's.

Willow Glen resident David Keller said although he lives within walking distance of the Albertsons, he shops at the Midtown Safeway on San Carlos Street. But even at that location Keller would like to see better-quality produce and meats. Zanotto's could offer that quality, he said.

"I think it's a perfect fit," Keller said.

Keller caught wind of Zanotto's plans and posted it on his blog, willowglenextra.com. Within hours, neighbors chimed in with encouraging comments.

Keller also said he would be willing to sacrifice an immediate remodel for the quick move-in of Zanotto's.

But a quick move-in also requires some help from the city of San Jose. It is not uncommon for companies navigating the city's permit process to be caught in a lengthy and costly web, Rast said. An example of these delays was evident when Albertsons applied almost four years ago for approval to remodel its the Bird Avenue market. The remodeling never materialized, and the approval process took more than a year.

Rast said the neighborhood association would work to get the city process sped up if it would help attract a specialty grocer to Willow Glen.

"We would do everything we could for a desirable new store," Rast said.