Castro Valley Marketplace debuts in East Bay
Years in the planning, the Castro Valley Marketplace — the first Alameda County food hall south of Oakland — has finally made its debut.
The first tenants to open at what was a local landmark — the former Daughtrey’s department store — are the Castro Valley Natural Grocery, Barons Quality Meats & Seafood and the Seven Hills Baking Co.
Scheduled to open before the end of summer are the Oaktown Spice Shop, Amphora Nueva Olive Oil Works and four new restaurant-bars.
Launching a business of this magnitude during a pandemic meant dealing with additional health and safety requirements, the owners and tenants said.
“Our team came together and learned how to meet the challenge headon, with the determination and responsibility that taking on the new title of ‘essential business’ required,” Randall Owczarzak, general manager of East Bay Natural Grocers, said in a statement.
The three inaugural tenants are food purveyors with deep roots in the East Bay.
• The Castro Valley Natural Grocery, part of East Bay Natural Grocers,
anchors the street level. Donna Layburn, originally a vitamin shop owner, created the Alameda Marketplace on the site of a former car dealership in that city in 2003.
• Butcher David Samiljan launched his Barons Quality Meats at the Alameda Marketplace in 2005 and then expanded to San Francisco in 2016. He specializes in sustainably sourced meat and poultry.
• The Seven Hills Baking
Co. is an artisanal bread and pastry bakery launched by industry veteran Julien Wagner.
Hours of business for this soft opening are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with seniors/at risk shopping hour at 8 a.m. Evening hours will be added later.
DETAILS >> 3295 Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley; www. castrovalleymarketplace.com
Peggy Sue’s serves its last burger, shake
The 1950s are officially over at San Pedro Square.
Peggy Sue’s, a retro rock ’n’ roll-themed restaurant, has sold its last burgers and shakes and closed permanently.
“Thank you for your support and patronage over the past 20 years at this location. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you,” a sign on San Pedro Street announcing the news said. No other details were offered regarding the closing.
For years, Peggy Sue’s was that rarity in the restaurant world — open every day of the year, including all major holidays, and typically until midnight or 2 a.m.
Now the restaurant’s 1950s memorabilia has gone up for sale, the sign said. Collectors and other interested customers should go to www.peggy sues.com for information.
An offshoot of this location had been located on nearby Park Avenue but closed because of pending development in that block.
DETAILS >> 29 N. San Pedro St., San Jose.