Willow Glen Resident
Business
Photograph by Vicki Thompson
New Places: Downtown Willow Glen continues to attract new businesses trying to open before the holiday rush. Beverages & More plans to open the second weekend of November.
Lincoln Avenue blossoms as more new stores open
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
As the holidays approach, new businesses are quickening their pace to open on Lincoln Avenue.
The first to beat the rush was Footwear Etc.'s outlet store.
The store has opened a clearance outlet at 1140 Lincoln Ave. in the space once occupied by the Willow Glen Runner Supply.
The store is offering discontinued shoes up to 50 percent off the retail price, said Footwear Etc. employee Denzil Rout.
The outlet is leasing the space temporarily to test the waters in downtown Willow Glen before committing to a more permanent lease, said Willow Glen Business and Professional Association executive director Norma Ruiz.
The runners' supply store, however, did not leave Willow Glen. It has just relocated to 1115 Lincoln Ave., across the street from its former location.
Along with the store's move, owner Lance Maurer chose to change the name of the store to its corporate name, Urban Sports.
Maurer said customers would look at the old name and mistakenly believe the store carried only running supplies.
During the store's grand reopening on Nov. 11-12, everything in the store will be discounted 10 percent to 30 percent.
The much anticipated and Beverages & More at 1133 Lincoln Ave. didn't wait for its grand opening on Nov. 10-12 to show its holiday spirit.
"They were out giving treats to the trick-or-treaters along with the rest of the businesses on Halloween," Ruiz said.
The grand opening will include wine and beer tastings from notable names including Cooper-Garrod Winery, Jacob's Creek, Gryphon Wines and Gordon
Biersch. A detailed list and times can be found at bevmo.com website under new store locations.
One more business trying to beat the clock before the holiday season starts is Tyson Interiors, which is moving into the Garden Theater.
Third-generation Willow Glen resident John Garland Tyson said his business will be a home furnishing store that will include "ethnic chic" furniture. Most of the pieces he will sell are from Thailand, China and India.
"I will have Thai Christmas stockings for the holidays," Tyson said.
He will also offer decorative consulting.
"I'm hoping to get moved in and open shop by the end of the month," he said.
Although they may not make this holiday season, two more businesses are on the horizon.
The owners of the building at the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota avenues that housed the former Sylvan Learning Center is in lease negotiations with possible tenants.
"The property owners don't want a restaurant to move in," Ruiz said. "They are looking into retail possibilities, which would be better for Willow Glen than service."
Aqui's Cal-Mex Grill owner David O'Mara would also like to open an upscale version of his Willow Glen business in the former Sharky's Oyster Bar and Grill space.
But the businessman cannot move forward with his plans unless the proposed parking ordinance change in San Jose is approved by San Jose City Council this month.
If the ordinance to change the parking requirements for restaurants from one space for every 40-square-feet of dining floor to one space for every 400-square-feet isn't approved by the city, O'Mara will not be able to meet the parking requirements needed to open.
If the ordinance is passed, O'Mara will have the schematics for his business finished by the end of December and will be able to open for business by summer, Michael Mulcahy, owner of the Garden Theater, said.
"It really feels like Willow Glen has become a prime spot for businesses," Ruiz said. "You won't see vacant spaces much longer."
