I was looking for something completely unrelated and found this marketing brochure for Alameda Landing. Which was interesting because it contained a bunch of elevations for storefronts that have never come before the Planning Board, but even more interesting was this map which showed store sites “In Negotiation” :
What’s weird is the Target is marked in the “Available” color but given that Target is going in…
Anyway, it appears that the largest building (other than the Target) is currently in Negotiation which can only mean one thing: grocery store. This, of course, makes me unbelievably giddy because it means that I no longer need to ever go to the horrible Lucky’s at Marina Square once whoever goes into that space. Guesses on who is going in?
Normally I would say Whole Foods, but given the sort of not-as-friendly-to-unions attitude of Whole Foods it might be more difficult for Whole Foods to go in given the presence of the food service worker’s union rep on the Planning Board. Lucky’s would probably not want to compete with a store only a few jumps away. Nob Hill is a possibility, but given the recent union problems too, they might not be so keen on opening an Alameda branch. Trader Joe’s is also a possibility because the South Shore store is overperforming, but the space looks a bit larger than your typical Trader Joe’s. This leaves the Safeway, but there are already two other Safeways in Alameda, could they risk a third even though both Alameda stores are way overperforming.
Also interesting is that three storefronts in the, for lack of a better term, drive thru parcel are all in negotiation. That extra long drive thru looks familiar… but I’m not going to jinx what I think (or hope) that it might end up being.
Any guesses as to the other businesses. I figure that a Starbucks or a Peets is slated for one of those spaces, a cafe is sort of a gimme.
Blogging Bayport Alameda 
The idea that “it might be more difficult for Whole Foods to go in given the presence of the food service worker’s union rep on the Planning Board” is disturbing. Will economic development and consumer choice in Alameda be held hostage by a member of the Planning Board and his union?
Comment by Loyal Opposition — March 12, 2013 @ 6:14 am
Not convinced that Lucky would simply close up shop if a Whole Foods opened up. Don’t they serve different demographics? Isn’t it possible that some people would shop WF for some items (organics, meat, fancy cheeses,etc.) & go to Lucky’s for others (dried pasta, canned goods, beer & wine). One could hope that the presence of another grocery of any kind might get Lucky’s to step up their game a bit– at least keep the store clean, for cryin’ out loud.
Comment by Kristen — March 12, 2013 @ 8:56 am
Given the grocery store speculation, you might enjoy this map of Whole Foods distributions vs. Walmart distributions in the SF Bay Area: http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2013/03/11/map_whole_foods_vs_walmart_in_the_bay_area.html
(I’m wondering if there’s the possibility of Fresh & Easy…)
Comment by Lisa — March 12, 2013 @ 9:39 am
I thought Fresh & Easy was in maintenance mode instead of expansion mode?
Comment by Lauren Do — March 12, 2013 @ 10:17 am
Lauren, I’ll go with a Peets as they were trying to come to Webster St. about 4 or 5 years ago and they do business in Alameda on Park St. and Harbor Bay. Starbucks has the West End covered already. Wow I wonder what will happen to Marina Square if Luckys leaves??.
As for the planning Board, even in this pro union area if one member pushes that agenda to hard he could find himself removed from that board simply by citizens putting pressure on the Mayor.
Comment by John P.(L) — March 12, 2013 @ 10:50 am
Are they really switching Webster St. and Constitution Way?
Comment by Jack Richard — March 12, 2013 @ 12:28 pm
I doubt if Whole Foods is coming to Alameda Landing. A Whole Foods at the Landing is too close to their existing Oakland store. A Trader Joes on the West End would be great, but my guess is that it’s a Safeway or a Fresh and Easy.
But most importantly, the city still needs to approve a grocer at Alameda Landing.
Comment by Karen Bey — March 12, 2013 @ 2:02 pm
Nob Hill – unlikely. See Bridgeport Center on Blanding. My money’s on Safeway.
Comment by Sideline — March 12, 2013 @ 2:30 pm
As popular as Trader Joe’s is, I don’t see Whole Foods coming here because I don’t sense Alameda has enough fans to support a store and with a Whole Foods near Grand on Lake Merrit, an Alameda store at this location probably wouldn’t draw enough folks from Oakland because of the tubes. Trader Joe’s has bargains and WF is expensive. I have a friend who works at WF in Santa Cruz which is a perfect environment ( two stores) and the employees are mostly quite happy and do get health care, even though the CEO is a bit of a nut about his libertarian views, which I think are fuzzy at best. ( Obamacare is “fascist” and Global Warming is not caused by humans, among other gems) http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=8322658&page=1 . Working for Whole Foods is not entirely unlike Wallmart when it comes to team mentality (Rah-rah!), but the wages and benefits are much better, not unlike Trader Joe’s which is also non-union if I’m not mistaken.
I’m annoyed the City partnered with Mr. Conner but apparently never leaned on him about union projectionists, but I can’t see barring Whole Foods based on their being non-union even if John Mackey is a dick. (Remember Alameda Theater had A LOT of projection problems at the outset and it is the only non-union shop in the east bay, but tickets were $10.50 for months and months before other theaters caught up. Home town movie house maven Allen Michaan has always hired union projectionists even in his smallest venues.)
John P.’s point about Lucky at Marina Square is a good one. easy to imagine a thriving shopping center on the west side of the tube and another anchorless shopping center withering on the vine. John P. , Is there still a Red Wing shoe store there?
Comment by M.I. — March 12, 2013 @ 2:32 pm
Regarding the Lucky’s getting pushed out, it might end up leading to something else like an ethnic grocery store. The two biggies in the Asian market are Pacific Supermarket and 99 Ranch and they typically never build new stores, they snatch up failing grocery store spaces and swap stuff around to suit their needs (expanded meat and seafood counters, extensive hot food deli). Of course the biggest competition to any Asian grocery would be Chinatown itself, but parking is a beast in Chinatown so there is that.
Comment by Lauren Do — March 12, 2013 @ 2:50 pm
I still think it’s Whole Foods. But wouldn’t a Berkeley Bowl be awesome?
Comment by VS — March 12, 2013 @ 5:04 pm
#6 Doh!
Comment by notadave — March 12, 2013 @ 5:39 pm
I vote for a Ranch 99 – it would be great to attract traffic from the other direction into Alameda, and would be a wonderful fresh food venue without the snobby prices of Whole Paycheck.
Comment by notadave — March 12, 2013 @ 5:41 pm
Berkeley Bowl in Alameda? 🙂
I go there all the time, but I think it’s unlikely.
Comment by alameda — March 12, 2013 @ 6:17 pm
6, 12: Jack, I think you are looking at a designer’s layout goof or are perhaps misreading one of the brochure ‘s graphics. Things are bad enough already for navigation without reversing some names for the halibut…
Comment by Jon Spangler — March 13, 2013 @ 9:40 pm
“…or are perhaps misreading one of the brochure ‘s graphics.” or Jon has his hardhat on upside down just for the halibut…
Comment by Jack Richard — March 14, 2013 @ 12:15 pm
Jack read the map right – someone reversed Webster and Constitution. That along with mis-characterizing the target site as available makes one wonder if this wasn’t a probono marketing piece. Otherwise I think Catellus or whoever commissioned it may want to ask for a do over
Comment by notadave — March 14, 2013 @ 1:43 pm
P.S. Are they really proposing to install 3 ugly as ass tall signs around the center? (click on the link to the full marketing brochure posted by Lauren) I can hardly wait until that goes before design review!
Comment by notadave — March 14, 2013 @ 1:46 pm
18. thanks for pointing that out not dave. The little sail boat sails at the top of the monster signs don’t make the big ugly ass signs acceptable. To me that kind of sign says ” welcome to anywhere USA”. also connotes, “maybe you should not stop here”. For survey purposes, I don’t think I am an average consumer.
Also If you see one of these monsters from 880 south you will have already missed the turn off for the tube. Welcome to to Alameda ( particularly this odd corner which has always been hard to navigate unless you know the place.)
Comment by M.I. — March 14, 2013 @ 5:00 pm
I believe all the signage for this retail development was approved in one of the planning board hearings last year.
Comment by Karen Bey — March 14, 2013 @ 6:00 pm
How about the new Walgreens or Walmart they are building on park&Lincoln… what city councilmen or woman got paid off to allow a ugly building that doesn’t fit Alameda small town charm….I’m sure people would of voted against it…if they did I’m sure it was hidden ..Dirty politics usual…
Comment by anytown usa — January 14, 2014 @ 4:13 pm