What's up with the Public Market in Emeryville?

[The Librarian]

Went there yesterday specifically to have a shrimp dish from the Vietnamese place, and guess what was gone?! I noticed that several of the places that have been there for years are no longer there. I'm really hoping that they aren't raising the rents and gentrifying it or something like that. Does anyone know what's happening? They have done remodeling, and there is more seating (which is great), but I'm just suspicious!

[Martin Strell]

I went to the Public Market for the first time in a long time yesterday. I worked down the street from the Public Market more than 20 years ago and used to be a frequent visitor. I was actually stunned at how many of the stalls from 20 years ago were still there - I'd say close to half of what's there now was there then. I ate at the Afghan place, which was good even then and had apparently improved over the years.

[TravelinJack]

I work near the Public Market, and have been many times. The Chicken Vermicelli (Bun) from the California Vietnamese Cuisine was one of the truly good things in the whole Market. The last time I ordered it (~Aug 2012), the woman running the place told each customer that she was leaving at the end of the month. The Market wanted her to pay to remodel, and then pay more rent because the spot would be worth more if it was remodeled. She said it wasn't worth it, and was going to open a restaurant in Martinez.

This post inspired me to do some sleuthing, and I wouldn't be surprised if this this is the new place: Mint: Vietnamese & Chinese Cuisine, (4041 Alhambra Ave Martinez, CA 94553.) Website: http://mintrestaurant925.wix.com/mint

It opened at the right time, and has a similar mix of Vietnamese and Chinese dishes. If someone goes, perhaps they could confirm with the owner.

It wasn't a destination restaurant for me, but I definitely miss it relative to the other offerings at the Public Market.

Now I usually go with Pamir Afghan, Wazwan Indian or Mediterraneo Pizza (though Hot Italian is pretty authentic Roman style pizza if you have the time.

)

And I confess to missing having access to turkey dinner any day of the week.

[Robert Lauriston]

"Public Market will be repositioned to include world-class food purveyors and unique-to-the area lifestyle retailers that will evolve into one of the East Bay's most exciting dining and shopping destinations."

http://www.mspsinc.com/nprojects/PM/o...

I think "will be repositioned to include" means "we will raise rents to make room for."

[rubadubgdub]

It's not surprising that the place is being redeveloped given all the commercial successes nearby (Bay St mall, T Joes, Ikea, Target, etc.). There are also many more people living in the pricey Emeryville condos than when the Public Market last peaked.

[Robert Lauriston]

And they're furiously building more condos nearby.

[PegS]

That's just about the saddest quote ever. The joy of the food court was the cheap yet tasty independent stalls. If it's going to be no different than any number of higher-end destinations in the East Bay I don't know why anyone would bother.

[Robert Lauriston]

They also say "Public Market will be repositioned to include ... unique-to-the area lifestyle retailers," which is the opposite of Guitar Center and Urban Outfitters.

[PegS]

LOL, Robert. Yes. The amount of retail space is also so small there, I can't imagine they'd be able to create too much more of a draw.

[Malcolm Ruthven]

>The joy of the food court was the cheap yet tasty independent stalls.<

For sure. I've been going there regularly but infrequently (when I'm nearby) for 25 or more years. I wouldn't bother if it had more-common places that I could find in other locations (La Boulange, etc.)

[Ruth Lafler]

My guess is that with Borders -- the main tenant in that building -- closed, traffic is way down, forcing the food stalls to close or cut back.

[rubadubgdub]

Actually I don't think Borders was a big driver of the food court traffic. The bookstore was never busy in the way that the Bay St B&N is. It's a magnet for all of the office workers in that area.

[rubadubgdub]

I had the same experience last week. Went there for noodles and found the place had completely changed. Gone are the pho place and Korean ladies who do Thanksgiving every day. My fave Crispy Fry has a new location but greatly reduced menu. A lot more seating and walls have been added, but it feels a bit too enclosed---the food court no longer connects to the shops. It looks like a new developer got hold of it and made big changes. I heard from a RE friend that the food court was paying the bills for some time but I imagine that's not a great long-term strategy for boosting the property value.