Changes at Todos Santos, with closings, new options
A longtime chapter in downtown Concord closes in May, when Half-Price Books, the popular corner anchor of Todos Santos Plaza, shuts its doors.
The bookstore, which sells used and new books, records, cards and more, is looking for another location in Concord, says store manager Jake Hansen, but no new lease has been inked.
It’s the latest change in the western block of the plaza since a private Northern California family sold the 40,000 sq. ft. property to a joint venture involving Long Market Property Partners and Paragon Commercial Group. But as some businesses close, new ones are on the horizon.
Concord Mayor Carlyn Obringer, who represents the downtown district, says the city is actively working with Half-Price Books to find a new location.
“I personally spend my time and dollars there, because it’s one of the few retailers in our downtown,” Obringer says. “I asked staff to start working with Half-Price Books back in October to help them identify other potential spaces to which to relocate in Concord, when I first heard a rumor that their rent might be increased by the new property owner. Half-Price Books and their property owner could not come to an agreement on their next lease, so Half-Price Books is looking to move elsewhere in Concord.”
Although Hansen did not go into detail regarding rent, he said the new owners decided not to renew the lease. However, one longtime tenant, Peter Bumphenboon of Bangkok Kitchen on Galindo Street, said he had to shutter his doors after 25 years due to increased rent. He too is looking for another location in the city.
“Rent went from around $5,000 a month to more than $11,000,” said the owner of the popular Thai restaurant. “We just couldn’t do it. In Concord, that price is too high. That’s why I’m leaving.”
Representatives from Long Market and Paragon did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
New restaurants on the way
John Montagh, Concord’s director of Economic Development, stresses that the closings on the block will not change the vibrancy of the city.
“We will still have Peet’s, the Spaghetti Factory, Capriotti’s, Cream and others,” he said. “Plus, a new Chipotle is open across the street from Skipolini’s, at Salvio and Galindo.”
He added that I Love Teriyaki is moving to the Bangkok Kitchen location from its spot across Galindo near the Brendan Theatres. In addition, the first Cinnaholic vegan bakery in Contra Costa County will be opening, as well as other new restaurants around the square: Burgerim, known for its sliders, FireWings and Ramen 101 – all the first in the county.
The emphasis seems to be on what Montagh calls an industry trend for “quick food,” which he says the city hopes will better serve not only the lunchtime crowd but also the thousands of people who flock to the plaza during the summer for the Thursday Night Music and Market series.
Support from residents
Still, the closing of Half-Price Books and Bangkok Kitchen have not gone unnoticed by their fans. Hansen says a petition is circulating with more than 3,000 signatures opposing the closing, and Bumphenboon says he has been inundated with more than 300 emails from patrons supporting the restaurant. “We will tell them when we open again,” he says.
Obringer said she personally identified an alternative space for Bangkok Kitchen, and Bumphenboon was supposed to take a look at it.
Other residents have expressed frustration at what they call the “chaining” of downtown Concord, a sentiment Councilman Dominic Aliano echoed.
“It is somewhat of a difficult situation because I know my colleagues and the community want Half-Price Books to stay, yet the city of Concord does not decide which business come and go,” Aliano said. “It’s is a business agreement between two businesses and not the city of Concord.”
Aliano noted that Half-Price Books is a national corporation with 120 stores throughout the country. “That being said, I am personally concerned with the downtown becoming a little too corporate and not enough local business friendly.”
Peggy Spear
Peggy Spear is a journalist and frequent contributor to the Pioneer.