Newark Ready To Catch Next Retail Wave

Retail trends come in waves and Newark is poised to catch the next swell, according to city economic development director Terrence Grindall.

Patch spoke with Grindall following announcements in Fremont's "State of the City" speech that Newark's neighbor will be getting a TJ MAXX and Men's Wearhouse.

Given the proximity of those stores in Newark, could Fremont's gain be Newark's loss Patch asked?

Grindall said he hasn't heard anything about closures from either local store but really doesn't know for certain that the Newark sites are secure.

With that caveat in mind, Grindall said Men's Wearhouse is known to locate stores close to one another. But such promixity is less common for TJ MAXX. Patch has also reported that a TJ MAXX could be coming to Castro Valley.

Grindall allowed that Newark has lost stores to Fremont's Pacific Commons, the area's freshest new mall.

Such losses include Toys'R'Us, the old Century Theater Cinedome and Target.

But Grindall said the greater NewPark Mall area has great access to Interstate 880, and is positioned to win over stores from other sites as malls ebb and flo in popularity.

For instance a decade ago, McCarthy Park Ranch Shopping Center in Milpitas benefitted from novelty and also from the reluctance of San Jose to accept 'big box' stores, Grindall said.

Now it's not quite so hot, he said.

"These things come in waves and we're working with our property owners to try to catch the next one," Grindall said.

Grindall said all brick and mortar stores will face increasing competition from online sellers. 

At the same time, "people want some touch and feel shopping, not to mention restaurants and entertainment," Grindall said, adding that Newark will benefit from ease of access -- particularly if success leads to congestion at competing local venues like Pacific Commons.

What's your favorite local shopping, dining and entertainment destination and why?