Willow Glen Resident

News

Fresh & Easy files permits with city

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

The first set of permits for the Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market in Willow Glen have been filed and include site improvements and an off-site alcoholic beverage license.

The store will replace the former Albertsons in Willow Glen Village Shopping Center at 1409 Bird Ave. The supermarket has been closed since August 2006.

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, owned by British grocery company Tesco, will move into the existing building and make a few changes along the way, including installing energy-efficient equipment.

The new market will take up two-thirds of the existing 3-acre site; the remaining one-third of the property is tentatively to be occupied by another tenant, said project designer Tom Schoenstein.

Improvements will include changes to the storefront's elevation in order to renew and revive the building, according to Shoenstein. A decorative element is to be added to the wall facing Bird Avenue at the request of San Jose Planning Department, he said.

Improvements to the interior of store will include a new refrigeration system and more efficient lighting, Shoenstein said.

Fresh & Easy will hold a community meeting within the next three months to introduce its store to the neighborhood.

For more information, visit www.freshandeasy.com.