Jack London Square Growing Pains
Recently on KTVU Patti Lee reported on the closing of the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Jack London Square. See the full report and my comments regarding the closure click here: Barnes and Nobles Closes In Jack London Square
The redevelopment of Jack London Square has been on the books for a number of years, and progress has seemed slow to local residents. There have been some changes seen in the area such as the opening of Miss Pearl’s Jam House, Cocina Pablano and Il Pescatore. There are also of course some of the old staples such as Yoshi’s and Kincaids.
Many believe that the closing of Barnes and Noble is bad for Jack London Square, but I see it as an opportunity. If you think about it Jack London Square is not a destination for shopping. Most people are not going to go to Jack London Square to shop at a bookstore. Bay Street in Emeryville quite frankly is a destination for shoppers. What Bay Street did was bring in a variety of popular stores in addition to a Barnes and Noble that allow folks to shop for multiple different items in one stop. Jack London Square shopping other than the Barnes and Noble, Cost Plus and Bev Mo! are in my opinion lacking. The small touristy types of shops that do exist there are somewhat antiquated and do not look at the larger demographic of shoppers in the area. If they were to bring in more popular clothing merchants for example, you would get more people there. In addition smaller boutique shops as well as smaller restaurants and cafes would be better suited for the area. Think the Ferry Building in San Francisco.
As for the Barnes and Noble closing, there is one resource that is severely lacking in Jack London Square. A grocery store. There is a large density of condo complexes and a large apartment complex near the Amtrak with no grocery store within the community. This in my opinion is a huge oversight. To develop this area into a hip destination area where people want to shop but also to live, you need to provide the basic amenities to the residents. Young hipsters who can’t afford San Francisco prices and don’t have a car might think twice because were can you buy a box of cereal and some milk?
As I have seen before the perception and the reality of Oakland residents does not always agree. Why did it take Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s so long to open a store in Oakland? Oakland has a hugely diverse population and there is a large demand for goods and services that in my opinion is often overlooked.
Oakland has great weather, cheaper prices than San Francisco and lots of wonderful features. For those of us living here, we understand, but apparently the cat isn’t out of the bag yet.
6 Responses to “Jack London Square Growing Pains”
Lisa Cartolano
chrishudson
Nicole Westmoreland
Ana says:
February 3, 2010 at 8:09 am
Emery Bay? Do you mean Bay Street?
Cucina? Do you mean Cocina Poblana?
Did you forget the opening of Bocanova? The buildout of Miette?
The coming of Bracina?
Lisa Cartolano says:
February 6, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Hi yes, thanks for noticing the misspellings… And not didn’t forget about Bocanova… It is a great spot for sure. There is definitely more to come in Jack London, I just hope that all of the changes do come to fruition. It is a great spot with fantastic potential.
Shannon says:
February 8, 2010 at 11:43 am
This is so true. My partner and I have been starting to look for a condo, but Jack London seems to lack the useful walkable necessities of our current rental in Adams Point. Being near the Estuary could quite possibly rival the green space amenities near Lake Merritt, if only we felt that there were comparable business amenities – both a grocery store as well as local, indy places like Arizmendi and Walden Pond. Of course the train noise is still a bit of a nuisance…but I visit Temescal way more frequently than Jack London b/c I’m more interested in what’s there.
Lisa Cartolano says:
February 8, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Yes, Jack London Square has so much potential and has had for a number of years. I really do hope the developers really listen to what the community of people living there and what they need. Becuase if they do, they really could have a great success story. I really think that if a Trader Joes for example was put in where the Barnes and Noble is now, that it would be a boon for the area. They definitely should take a cue from the Temescal development as well. With resturants like Barlata and Bake Sale Betty’s were you can get a cup of coffee on they way to work as well have a drink on the way home is important for the longevity of the area. With more of a move to a live/work life style and the desire to be able to walk to get your milk as well as go out to dinner would make Jack London an even better place. (the train noise definitely is something to consider…) I am interested to see the changes that do happen and if the developers have faith in the new and changed Oakland demographic.
steve says:
June 16, 2010 at 3:48 pm
I work in the immediate area and definitely agree that a grocery store like Trader Joe’s would benefit the neighborhood. I however disagree that the B&N space is the best place for it. A store such as Trader Joes needs parking that is near the door. The existing parking that is “near the door” at the B&N space is below and it is already impacted by the few existing tenants in Jack London Square.
I think the best fit for any grocery store would be in the new space that was built in the Amtrak station parking lot. It is a beautiful space with great visibility and excellent parking. I am actually surprised that a store like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods has not jumped at this space. It also avoids any issues with the train.
mike says:
July 23, 2010 at 5:43 am
It’s a ghost town there in Jack London Square. Was there several times this summer — in the middle of the day and no one around. Heinolds-empty. Kayak-empty. Mama Pearls-empty. A recent jazz concert-two people showed up to listen!