There are some new arrivals on Los Altos’ commercial scene.
Construction activity and new storefront signs have overtaken the vacant businesses that have dotted Main and State streets for the last few years, signaling the advent of several new businesses downtown over the past month.
The Crepe Maker, Art ‘n Fun and Bay Alpaca opened their doors in December. The Japanese-European-inspired bakery Satura is scheduled to open Jan. 22.
“I think vacancies in downtown for retail are pretty low,” said Ron Labetich, a commercial realtor who specializes in leasing Los Altos business space. “The occupancy has probably been the highest it’s been since 9-11.”
Meanwhile, two businesses that could be big sales-tax generators for the city are progressing with the construction of stores along El Camino Real.
Berkeley-based Elephant Pharmacy, an alternative health store that sells herbal prescriptions, is set to open this spring. The 14,000-square-foot commercial building will sit on the former El Torito restaurant site. In 2004, the city council opted for the pharmacy over a 43-unit affordable housing project that had been approved for the site.
Not far away, construction work continues at a fast pace on the new Whole Foods Market situated at the Showers Drive-El Camino Real intersection. The single-story, 55,000-square-foot store with basement parking will be the sixth supermarket in Los Altos. The Texas-based chain specializes in marketing locally grown and organic produce. The opening date has yet to be announced, according to the company’s Web site.
According to Rebecca Zito, the city’s economic development coordinator, the new businesses signal Los Altos’ recovery from the slump experienced by many Peninsula cities after the dot-com bust.
Los Altos boutiques, downtown restaurants and small businesses generally contribute more to the city’s charm than they do to its coffers. Grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores provide the most revenue.
“General consumer goods tend to bring in more sales tax than specialty stores,” Zito said. “These are the kinds of things that keep the economy moving.”
The city generates approximately $2.5 million in sales tax annually, revenue that makes up 10 percent of the city’s budget, Zito said.
