San Carlos Blockbuster: What’s next for this location?
It’s not necessarily news when businesses change in San Carlos. But when one business’ demise opens up a prime store front on the booming north section of Laurel Street… well, that’s news. Such is the case with the imminent closing of Blockbuster Video’s downtown San Carlos location. When Blockbuster completes its exodus from San Carlos, one of the few corner parcels on Laurel Street will be up for grabs.
In a town already flush with restaurants and bars, it would come as no surprise if some dining entrepreneur is licking his chops to set up shop in the shadow of the very successful Town Restaurant, which is just across the street.
What do YOU think?
What business do you think will take over this location? What would most benefit downtown San Carlos right now? Do we already have enough bars and restaurants, or is there room for another?
Got an idea or opinion? Share it with everyone by leaving a comment!
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The location will probably sit vacant for a long time- just like the old Foodville location, which has been empty for over 1/2 yr. In any event, I can only hope that neither of these storefronts becomes home to another one of those quasi thrift apparel stores that seems to dominate this area of Laurel.
please – no more restaurants!!
I would love to see a small indie-movie house or performing arts space.
I think we have enough restaurants! I’ll love to see a fun place for adults! Such as a club or a pub, somewhere you can have some drinks, see live bands, and have fun with friends. this will be awesome!
I agree, no more restaurants!This street has more than it’s fill of Mediterranean, sushi and nail salons. I noticed the bakery next to Starbucks closed down and I’ve heard two pizza places in the vicinity may be doing the same. Maybe the Blockbuster corner can be converted into a multi merchant place,barber, shoe repair, computer repair, cleaners, sporting goods….
I think it would be great to have a bookstore! I noticed that in downtown Mt View they have a Books Inc with cafe. It would be great to add to the existing children’s bookstore that just opened on Laurel.
And to include a cafe would be nice as a great hangout for the literary types!
I also think it would be great to have an independent bookstore. Then again, literary types are a dying minority. With that kind of a base, no bookstore can survive. Here in San Carlos, some people think it’s not “green” to buy books. Nowadays, the entertainment of choice is in the form of video and home theater system with all the electronic bells and whistles.
We’ve already got a book store – The Reading Bug! They are a children’s bookstore, yes, but they also have a nice selection of books for grown-ups. I like the small small, carefully picked selection and have found a few gems there. Plus, they’ll order any book you want.
An independent bookstore is a great way to go broke; you just can’t compete with the enormous wholesale discounts negotiated by the big three buyers. Amazon is selling bestsellers for less than indie bookstores can *buy* them wholesale.
Please, no more Mediterranean restaurants.
In a space that big, how about a really good hardware store? Neither of the options in SC really fits the bill when you’re trying to find, say, hair-drain for the bathtub, or a replacement part for the screen door catch. I found both of those, easily, at the excellent Ace Hardware on the major shopping street in Menlo Park.
We need a place like Pluto’s. Quick, healthy, cheap…
I would like a salad bar type restaurant like Pluto’s as well…
San Carlos needs some more brand name stores i.e. a GAP, BR, Apple. there are enough restaurants but the retail options are somewhat limited and uninspiring. I am not much of a shopper but we need a few recognizable brand name stores to attract people to Downtown SC.
Happy to see Blockbuster fold their cards. I can’t imagine the location sitting idle for too long. It’s not the dump that Foodville managed to conduct business in.
Be careful what you wish for…Brand name stores kill the mom-and-pops that we so seem to treasure. Simply put, they can afford the high rents that some landlords demand. Burlingame Avenue is a great example of big names, high prices to cover the big rents and subsequently less shoppers. (I do love Pottery Barn tho). I think we have a good thing going on Laurel and it would be nice to have a good mix; not overly restauranty and not overly funky clothing stores. It would be nice to keep all the tax dollars in town.