Sprouts & Shutters: Seafood Restaurant Opens; Whole Foods, Hampton Inn Break Ground

Wondering what new businesses are opening, changing or closing in your town? Our “Sprouts & Shutters” column highlights restaurant, retail and other business news in the Tri-Cities.

FREMONT

Construction has started on the heavily anticipated Whole Foods. Crews broke ground on Jan. 25 at the corner of Paseo Padre Parkway and Mowry Avenue, the future site of the high-end grocery store. The 39,000-square-feet building is slated to open by the end of the year. An additional 13,160-square-feet-building will be located near Whole Foods and be available to lease for other retail shops.

UNION CITY

Crews have also broken ground on a new Hampton Inn extended stay hotel at Union Landing. The hotel will be located adjacent to the Holiday Inn Express, which are both owned by Lotus Hotels, LLC. It's scheduled to be open in early 2014. According to a staff report, the hotel will have 90 rooms, along with a number of amenities, including a pool and conference room. (See photos of the construction above.)

Almost a year after a fire caused it to shut down, repairs are being made on the Taco Bell at 34525 Alvarado-Niles Rd. at Decoto Road. The restaurant is slated to open by April with significant interior and exterior upgrades and improvements.

But there's some bad news for rib lovers. The pigs have flown away from the Tony Roma's at Union Landing. The restaurant recently closed its doors, leaving two side-by-side vacancies (Fresh Choice has been shut down for a year) right across from the movie theater.

NEWARK

A new restaurant has opened in the heart of Newark. The Lido Saigon Seafood restaurant began serving customers in early January. It's located at 35219-A Newark Blvd.

The Gap has closed its store in NewPark Mall in Newark. Last week, the store was empty with signs saying the fixtures where clothes were displayed are now for sale.

A store that catered to scrapbook fans is also closing in Newark. Our Paper Place will shut its doors soon after two years of operation. The exact closure date isn't known yet. The store is selling off its inventory at deep discounts. It's located at 5857 Jarvis Ave.

While it isn't exactly a "new" business, the W Silicon Valley hotel in Newark is getting a makeover and a new name. This month, it will be unveiled as an Aloft hotel. The chain is described as “a modern, fresh and fun destination.” The hotel will continue to be a full service hotel with a restaurant, bar, in-room dining and a new food and cocktail menu.

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