Broadway Plaza Changes: Yogurt Park Closes; Claire's Closing Next Week; Other Stores Moving

The signs that say "Clearance Sale" and "Store Closing" far outnumber the ones wishing customers "Happy Holidays" these days in one part of Broadway Plaza.

The owners of the shopping center are planning to tear down 40 shops between Nordstrom and Macy's as part of a four-year $250 million renovation.

Stores in that stretch of the plaza have been told they need to vacate by Jan. 31. The renovation is expected to start soon after that.

Some stores are closing for good, others are moving to another part of town with hopes of moving back in two years when that portion of the center has been rebuilt.

Yogurt Park has already closed, shutting its doors on Nov. 30. A note on the door from the owners thanks customers and tells them they'll re-open in two years. The owners say their shop in Berkeley remains open.

Suzette Barbieri of Oakland was unpleasantly surprised when she walked up and saw the closure note on her favorite yogurt place.

"I'm really bummed," she said. "This my treat when I come to this shopping center."

The Haagen-Dazs ice cream shop has also closed. An adoption office for Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation has temporarily taken over the space.

Claire's Etc. will be closing next week. Employees said the last day will be Dec. 26. There are signs out front telling customers about the clearance sales and noting that "all sales are final."

The Hallmark store is also closing for good. The signs out front advertise clearance sales and note the store is also selling off its fixtures and equipment.

Coldwater Creek is also shutting down. So are Elegant Living Furniture and Diva-Diva.

Some stores have found temporary space nearby that fits their needs and will be moving next month.

One of them is White House/Black Market. They'll be leaving their current location and moving less than 100 yards across the street to the portion of the Broadway Plaza by the fountain that is not being renovated. They're taking over the space once occupied by BCBG.

Lisa Ollerdessen, the store's assistant manager, said they are closing their current store on Jan. 6 and opening the new one on Jan. 7.

They'll have to cart their merchandise over in one day, but it's worth it because the new store is larger and has more storage space.

"We're very happy about that," said Ollerdessen.

Janie and Jack is also relocating nearby, although employees inside did not want to say when they'll move and where they're moving.

Banana Republic is also reporting moving across the street.

Decors De France near Nordstrom is also on the move.

The employees inside said they are closing in late January and then opening on Feb. 7 at their new store on Cypress at North Main Street.

"We are very lucky," said one of the employees.