See You Later Banana Republic, Yogurt Park, Claire's, See's Candies

If you like shopping at the stores along that row between Nordstrom and Macy's in downtown Walnut Creek, you better enjoy it while you can.

Early next year, the owners of Broadway Plaza are reportedly planning to tear down all those shops as well as the parking lot just east of them as they embark on a two-year renovation.

The stores affected are along the strip between the parking lot and Broadway Plaza Street. The stores west of Broadway Plaza Street are not affected.

Nordstrom and Macy's will remain. Davidson & Licht jewelers is already moving a few blocks north, apparently in anticipation of the demolition. Banana Republic plans to move across the street from its current corner location.

Among the 40 other businesses facing the wrecking ball are Claire's, Boudin Bakery Cafe, Hallmark, Georgiou, See's Candies and Yogurt Park.

The plans have been in the works for years, although a lot of shoppers are apparently unaware of them. The project still needs final approval from the city.

Garrett Newland, vice president of development for Macerich, the owners of Broadway Plaza, said the project will go before the Design Review Commission on Nov. 6, the Planning Commission on Nov. 14 and the City Council on Dec. 10.

Macerich's plans call for demolition of 200,000 square feet of retail space with up to 500,000 square feet of new facilities built.

Newland said larger stores will be built and there will be more retail on the eastern part of the strip, where the parking lot is now located.

The refurbished parking lot will have three levels near Nordstrom and four levels near Macy's. One of the levels will be underground.

One potential obstacle is the two culverts that cut through the plaza, both above ground and underground. One of them is overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Newland said the only way the project can proceed as planned is for the Corps to turn over jurisdiction of the culvert to the city. That change is now in a larger water bill presently before Congress.

Newland said most of the buildings in this part of Broadway Plaza were built in the 1950s and 1960s and need an upgrade.

He said it's difficult to ask stores to relocate or close for two years, but it'll pay off in the end.

"When we're finished, we'll have a fantastic project that's good for our company and good for Walnut Creek," he said.

Business owners and others said Macerich representatives have been telling stores for more than a year about the redevelopment project.

In early October, store owners say Macerich informed them would have to leave by Jan. 31.

Finding another spot in downtown Walnut Creek may prove difficult.

John Cumbelich, the owner of John Cumbelich & Associates, said the vacancy rate right now in all of downtown Walnut Creek from Kaiser to Target is 3.5 percent. In the core downtown, it's less than 1 percent.

He said there is intense interest in the 88,000 square feet of retail/office space available downtown. Plus, stores need to find a facility that's close to the size of their current business and in the same price range.

In addition, landlords are aware of the situation and many are insisting on 5-year to 10-year leases. Any business that wants to return to Broadway Plaza once the two-year renovation is done has to find someone willing to let them rent temporary space.

"Landlords have been able to take advantage of this," said Cumbelich, who represents property owners in much of the downtown area.

Even new space is filling up quickly. Cumbelich said the building being constructed a few blocks from Broadway Plaza where the old bank and the 7-11 used to be located is already 50 percent pre-leased.

"The renovation has created an artificial stimulus program for these off-campus locations," said Cumbelich.

Cindy Louie, the owner of CY Louie, said she hasn't been able to find a new facility that meets her size and financial requirements.

She worries that with any new location she'll lose her customer base.

"It's hard. It's scary," she said.

The folks at Cornology aren't sure what they'll do yet either.

Stephen Gozza, the shop's visual linguist, said they expect to find another space in the downtown area. They hope to move back when the renovation is done.

Aarya Shivaie, co-owner of the 3 Kings Vapor electronic cigarette store, said they moved in a few weeks ago, knowing they'd have to leave soon.

He said they wanted to take advantage of the holiday shopping season in the plaza, then relocate somewhere else downtown.

They don't know where that'll be, but they hope to be back in two years.

Calvin Sharp, manager of Ecco Shoes, welcomes the renovation. He said it's long overdue for this aging strip of the plaza.

"I'm all for it. We need an upgrade," he said.

They'll rely on the San Francisco store they've had for 30 years during the next two years.

They've been in Broadway Plaza for 12 years and look forward to returning.

"We'll be back," he said.