The San Jose Redevelopment Agency announced yesterday that Safeway is moving forward with plans to open a scaled-down of its grocery market at the ground level of downtown San Jose’s new residential high-rise complex, The 88. (But you heard that here first.) The grocery store chain agreed to lease 24,000 square feet of retail space at The 88 will be located on the corner of San Fernando and Second Streets. Apparently, all that needs to happen now is a rubber stamp from the City Council approving a $1.85 million expenditure for an elevator that would serve customers going to and from the parking garage. Once the City Council gives its blessing on the elevator cost, which most expect will happen, downtown San Jose will have a new grocery store by the end of this summer.
The new Safeway store will be a smaller, upscale neighborhood version dubbed “The Market”. The store itself will be half the size of its normal stores but still be a full-service grocery store. The Downtown San Jose location will be the first of its kind in Northern California for The Market, which was first featured in Long Beach. The Market format focuses on providing customers with fresh produce, edited product selection, its Signature Cafe, and an extensive selection of prepared foods. The “grab-n-go” meals are perfect for today’s busy consumers and a perfect, easy stop for nearby residents. Hmm, sounds a little bit like what’s already offered at Zanotto’s Downtown Market which features its Zanotto’s “Grab and Go” and “Meals in Minutes”.
Read more about the Safeway coming to downtown San Jose from the Redevelopment Agency in the documents below.