A customer browses through Scarborough Ace Hardware Scotts Valley store’s newly expanded nuts-and-bolts section. Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner
Winchester Auto Parts’ Scotts Valley branch manager Doug Phillips handles ceiling speakers to be re-installed in his store’s new location on Mount Hermon Road. Lucjan Szewczyk/Press-Banner
Last month, Thai Village Restaurant opened its doors, while Wix Candle and Soap Creations set up shop next door.
This month, Scarborough Ace Hardware expands into the space formerly rented by Round Up Pet Center, and Winchester Auto Parts will move into the space left unoccupied since Blockbuster Video closed in January 2009.
“We’re really happy with the growth, especially in spite of the challenging economy,” said Benjamin Ow, owner of the shopping center.
Ow said his family developed the land that is now King’s Village in the early 1970s.
“Originally, it started as just a market,” said Ow, who prefers to have locally owned businesses in the shopping center.
“They really care about the community, like we do,” Ow said, “because we all live and work here.”
Winchester Auto
After more than 30 years on Scotts Valley Drive, Winchester Auto Parts owner Terry Haschet said he’s ready for a change.
“Scotts Valley Drive has been a good home for a long time,” Haschet said. “But when the opportunity came up, I decided to move where there’s more traffic.”
The auto parts store will move into King’s Village Shopping Center on Aug. 22.
Nestled in the heart of a bustling area near Jamba Juice, Nob Hill Foods and Peet’s Coffee and Tea, Haschet hopes the new spot will draw in a larger clientele.
“It’s almost double the traffic count than where we are now,” Haschet said.
The move means an increase in floor space, as well, from 4,200 square feet to about 7,000 square feet, Haschet said.
Haschet said the store will carry new products, including more parts for RVs, boats and performance vehicles.
“We’re going to have more products in every category,” Haschet said.
Haschet opened the first Winchester Auto store in Campbell in 1976. Four years later, the Scotts Valley branch opened. Other stores are in Evergreen, Milpitas and Soquel.
“It’s a nice change after so many years,” Haschet said. “It’s big and bright and chock-full of domestic and foreign auto parts.”
Scarborough Ace Hardware
Scarborough Ace Hardware is in the midst of expansion — and, despite the recession, owner Mikala Clements is excited about the endeavor.
“It’s a bit scary because of the economy, but in the same hand, it’s a good time to work on a good lease,” Clements said. “The opportunity came out of the blue, so we had to hit the ground running.”
Clements’ family owns Scarborough Lumber in Scotts Valley, Boulder Creek and Ben Lomond.
“When Round Up closed, we were offered the opportunity,” Clements said.
Round Up Pet Center closed its doors at the end of February, and Scarborough started plans for its expansion at the end of March. Clements said the hardware store has remained open all the while.
“We’re still a work in progress,” Clements said. “We’ve appreciated that our customers have been understanding throughout the process.”
The revamped shop features an expanded nuts-and-bolts room, garden and patio furniture and a larger barbecue section.
“There’s a lot more in our hardware section, too,” Clements added.
The store also will sell Benjamin Moore paint and Stihl power equipment, Clements said.
She said the store’s customers are happy they won’t have to drive far to get more products.
“It’s been pretty chaotic, but our customers have been fantastic,” Clements said. “We’re pretty excited that everything has grown.”
And loses another, didn't the copy shop leave that was on the corner in the old ice cream shop? I'd hardly call it "bustling" but whatever.
As for Winchester, ya I think that's a dumb location. It was in a perfect place near the auto repair businesses. You could work on your car in the parking lot no problem. Now I can't picture anyone adding oil to their car or any other car work in that foo foo center next to that boutique coffee shop. It doesn't fit. I try to avoid that whole Mt Hermon area anyway, so crowded with traffic and too many stop lights. It's the most annoying part of town. I avoid it whenever possible.
Hold out for something better!
Likewise, we a shoppers have the right to shop or patron the stores we like. For me, I'll probably never go in the Winchester Auto store casue I really don't care much about cars, and I would have preferred a different business in that location too.
The bottom line is, that we should be aware and use our dollars to "vote" our choices. Eventually, it takes care of itself. Maybe Winchester will survive or even thrive....maybe not. We'll see in 3-5 years, or when the lease is up.
You're post was thoughtful and simply commenting on the situation which is what these forums are meant for.
I agree that Winchester Auto is not the best choice for that location from a resident/shopper's perspective, but considering the rapid shuttering of many storefronts, the Ows are probably delighted to have them.
ALRUI needs a vacation.
As for Winchester Auto in THAT location....1 step forward....two steps back!!!.....Business Owner and Landlord are HAPPPPPYYYYYYY! :)
The people......not so much.
I mean, we have Kragen right across the street, do we really need Winchester in the heart of town? This seems to be the same backwards thinking that proposed Target by the Hilton.
OK, now that I've started, might as well mention the Camp Evers center...what an eyesore at the entrance to town. Until we all wakeup an put some pressure on the local commercial real estate owners, we are never going to see our town mature .....why can't we encourage some quality redevelopment?.....
And so......if the Ow's have an interest in the new town center.....guess what kind of stores we are going to have?....probably a dozen or so more that we don't need....rather, let's get some GOOD ideas on the type of stores we want!!!!
Any suggestions?