Outdoor store on path to Davis?
Also, news on the Cindy’s site, Local Kitchens, a boba tea swap, ownership changes, a G Street update, a Mexican restaurant closure and much more
I’m back from vacation and just about over my jet lag. Good thing, because I’ve got a boatload of comings and goings to report.
I have a reliable tip that Sierra, an outdoor clothing and gear store, may be coming to Davis. The brand is part of the TJ Maxx family, which also includes Marshalls and HomeGoods.
However, when I reached out to the company, it would not confirm.
On Thursday, I got a response from James Query, Sierra’s manager of marketing, saying, “We’re always looking for new locations to build Sierra stores, especially in areas of the country where consumers like to get active and outdoors. We don’t have anything to announce in California at this time but please feel free to keep in touch as our new store opening plans are always evolving.”
However, my information came from someone who works for Sierra stores, so it’s more than a rumor.
Plus, I have some history with this company. Back in 2013, after a vinyl sign went up on Second Street announcing, “TJ Maxx coming soon,” I inquired with its marketing people.
The response? “TJ Maxx has not announced a new store in this location.” After I sent a photo of the sign, it took two weeks for the company to confirm that it was building a store here.
I’m told Sierra typically places these stores in the same center as a TJ Maxx or HomeGoods. Davis’ TJ Maxx is at 4651 Second St., in the Second Street Crossing center, but the largest available space there is 1,900 square feet. (TJ Maxx is 25,000 square feet.) There’s a HomeGoods store in the Woodland Gateway shopping center but my source said Davis.
Sierra specializes in outdoor brands at low prices. It sells gear for hiking, camping, watersports, running, ski and snow, and other athletic paraphernalia. It started in Reno in 1986 as the catalog company Sierra Trading Post. It joined the TJX family in 2012 and rebranded as Sierra in 2019. As of this year, it has 100 stores in the U.S., and launched plans for hundreds more.
Sierra operates like the other TJX stores, selling merchandise that’s priced 20 to 60 percent lower than specialty stores.
Its website says, “Prepare to get lost in a vast selection of epic finds. Whether you’re in need of some last-minute hiking boots or are simply in the mood to browse outdoor gear, Sierra is your destination. And since the merchandise in your local store is always changing, you never know what you’ll find for your outdoor adventures.”
→ Center changes hands: Speaking of Second Street Crossing, the Target shopping center has a new owner, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
The center, developed in 2013 by Buzz Oates, sold to Family Real Property LP and GLW LLC, the story said. Family Real Property has an address affiliated with Winn Communities, a real estate investment and development group. The buyer paid $16.65 million.
→ At 51, Cindy’s isn’t historic: The former Cindy’s Restaurant building at 4823 Chiles Road does not qualify as historic, the Davis Historical Resources Management Commission ruled at its Sept. 17 meeting.
The decision clears the way for review of a proposal from Chipotle to demolish the building and construct one with a drive thru. That request was scheduled to go before the Davis Planning Commission on July 24, but was postponed after opponents said the property, built in 1973, was historic. Davis buildings must be 50 years old or more to be considered for historic designation.
Chipotle wants to raze the 2,393-square-foot building and construct a new 2,334-square-foot quick-service restaurant. It’s asking for a conditional-use permit for a drive-thru lane. Cindy’s, a coffee shop and Thai restaurant, did not have one. Additional site improvements include new paving, landscaping, accessible EV charging stalls, lighting and a new trash enclosure, according to city documents. It likely will go before the Planning Commission on Oct. 9.
The property has been vacant since Cindy’s closed in October 2022. Davis already has a Chipotle, at 227 E St., Suite 1, downtown. Here’s the company’s website.
→ Redo done: Remodeling is complete and Local Kitchens is back open. The multi-brand restaurant changed its look and added more indoor seating at 500 First St., Suite 13a in Davis.
On Thursday, it launched a new brand, Sweet Onion Burger, created with celebrity Chef Alvin Cailan, a former employee of The French Laundry, founder of Eggslut, and host of “The Burger Show” on Hulu and YouTube. The SOB (their abbreviation, not mine) features a quarter-pound beef patty with thinly shaved caramelized onions, American cheese, secret sauce and pickles on a toasted bun.
Local Kitchens plans a party from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 (new date and time) to celebrate the changes. The event will include food giveaways, prizes and a DJ. To reserve free tickets, go to Eventbrite.
To make room for SOB, the Davis eatery will no longer offer The Melt. That’s fine, because The Melt will have a standalone restaurant in the upcoming Davis Collection (University Mall redux). Maybe the third time will be a charm. It will be The Melt’s third spot in Davis. It originally had a standalone restaurant in Davis Commons, in the high-turnover space (Ben & Jerry’s, Hot Italian …) where Bruxie chicken and waffles is today.
Other brands inside the Davis Local Kitchens are Boba Guys, Flavor Trippin’ stacked sandwiches, Humphry Slocombe ice cream, Milk Bar desserts, Napalito Taqueria, Nash and Proper Nashville hot chicken, Square Pie Guys Detroit-style pizza, and Yalla Falafel. Check out the Davis offerings here.