Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 05/29/1995 All articles from this issue

Headline: Los Altos council approves new market for Rancho center

printer friendly version

By Cori Barrett / Town Crier Staff Writer

The closure of one family supermarket will pave the way for the opening of another, following May 23 city council approval of a use-permit for Andronico's Market.

At the urging of the current owners and supportive residents, the city council unanimously approved the plans for the market, which is expected to open in early November.

Despite earlier concerns raised by neighbors about an increase in traffic, a lack of ample parking and the loss of a family business atmosphere, council members approved the application after a slight disagreement on how to enforce a need for increased landscaping at Rancho Shopping Center.

Steve and Ken Quadro, who have owned Rancho Market since 1978, said an increase in competition from local grocery stores in past years has put Rancho in need of an major overhaul, which they said they are not interested in financing. Renovation of the shopping center is expected to begin in July.

"The market is no longer competitive," Steve Quadro told the city council.

The only alternative, he said, is to sell the market to someone with similar values and the same service qualities to satisfy the people who say like the store the way it is.

Andronico's is an independent market with several stores in Berkeley and San Francisco. According to Bill Andronico, the president of Andronico's Markets, employees at the family-owned grocery store plan to be actively involved in the community.

Andronico's Markets include a full line of traditional grocery items and a full-service delicatessen, butcher counters and produce displays.

Jackie Moss, who lives on Berry Avenue behind Rancho Shopping Center, said she and her husband bought their house knowing the shopping center was there. "The welfare of the neighborhood is directly tied into the shopping center," she said. "We need to ensure the ongoing success of Rancho and of our neighborhood."

Still not all Rancho customers are happy to see the old market go. Dick Russell, who lives on Springer Road is concerned there will be a major increase in traffic along Springer Road.

Other residents have said they think the parking lot at Rancho shopping center is not large enough to handle the increase in business and employees.

According to city planner James MacKenzie, since there will be no increase in floor area, traffic in and out of the shopping center is not expected to increase compared to what the existing businesses could generate.

The city traffic engineer has reviewed the project and does not foresee any street capacity problems as a result of the new market, MacKenzie said.

The proposed market would utilize the tenant spaces currently occupied by the Rancho Market, the liquor store, the bakery and most of the sporting goods store. The existing bakery will be relocated to the sporting goods store.

"We all like the market the way it is," Steve Quadro said. "But it needs to be understood, as it is - the market will not survive."

David Leary, owner of TV Associates and Murphy's Pizza, said other merchants at Rancho are in full support of the new market and Bill Andronico. "We couldn't get a finer person to come in," he said.