Zanotto's, Longs vie for retail spot Zanotto's, Longs vie for retail spot (June 24, 2005)

By Jon Wiener

Two prospective retail tenants are ready to set up shop on the first floor of the parking garage slated for California Street and Bryant Avenue. The problem is that only one of them will fit.

The city has been in closed-door negotiations with both Zanotto's Family Markets and Longs Drugs about leasing the 14,000-square-foot space. City council members will hold their second discussion on the negotiations in a closed session on June 28.

The winning candidate could be selected as soon as the July 5 council meeting, according to city manager Kevin Duggan.

Council members and residents have previously expressed support for either a grocer or a pharmacy, and now they will have to choose which they prefer. Revenue from the lease has yet to be determined, but could be a deciding factor in the council's choice.

"Those are two high-quality retail outlets," said Mayor Matt Neely, who said he would prefer to see a market. "We have this great decision before us. We're trying to decide who to work with and bring a great service to Mountain View."

Neely said he had received several e-mails from members of the Old Mountain View Neighborhood Association, all favoring a market. The group had reportedly been contacted by a representative from Zanotto's.

Zanotto's, which bills itself as a community market, has two locations in San Jose and two others in Santa Cruz County. The stores also include bakeries, delis and catering services.

Longs, based in Walnut Creek, has two stores in Mountain View and more than 470 throughout the West Coast, according to its Web site.

The city signed a $51,000 contract with San Francisco consulting firm Sedway Group/CBRE last fall to recruit a retailer for the space, which may eventually be powered by solar panels atop the 400-space garage.

Neither company returned phone calls seeking comment.

E-mail Jon Wiener at jwiener@mv-voice.com

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