Guess Who? Mystery Store Moves Into Lafayette's Clocktower

Zoe Claire June 25, 2012 at 08:47 pm

Wilkes Bashf-BenHurs?

Spencer June 26, 2012 at 12:22 am

Probably Venture, a great men's store.

CB June 26, 2012 at 11:19 am

A mens clothing store???? How exciting, I cant wait.

Nilla June 26, 2012 at 11:32 am

Venture sounds right!

SevenMary7 June 26, 2012 at 12:29 pm

Havent heard of them but that doesn't mean anything. Do they carry a plus size line for us.... chunkier... guys?

Terri Moss June 26, 2012 at 01:09 pm

I'm not a fan of the Clock Tower owners...they kicked out Lafayette's best business and community builder: Lafayette Book Store (among other tenants) for being unwilling to negotiate a fair rent. They have no concerns about the community, just lining their (men's clothing) pockets.

lori atmaine June 26, 2012 at 01:17 pm

All I want is a Fentons. Is that asking too much?

DC / Lafayette June 26, 2012 at 02:48 pm

Fentons coming to the vacated Hungry Hunter?

Chris Nicholson June 26, 2012 at 02:59 pm

It's too bad the book store and other vacated businesses were unwilling to negotiate a "fair" rent. When you sell your home, I am sure you will seek a "fair" price and not a high price that would exclude less economically productive families, right?
Seriously, it is a bummer for friendly long-time businesses to get priced out of the market, but it is hard to have BOTH revitalization (which requires work and capital) AND deny owners the right to seek a return on their capital.

carrera June 26, 2012 at 06:21 pm

A quality men's clothing store would be great. Jos A Bank stuff doesn't last long, and I avoid shopping for clothes like the plague. Something close by would be good.

Nancy Lee June 27, 2012 at 12:12 pm

Lafayette has a visiion and is working toward it but right now there is way too much traffic through the center of town to make it enjoyable. Restaurants and businesses can be pretty and inviting but there's no hope of sitting outside which would be nice. I would imagine that eventually they would try to make it a pedestrian friendly avenue? That would be nice. Too noisy now.

bcrane1 June 27, 2012 at 12:13 pm

The Hungry Hunter location has been cleared for a condo development and Fenton's is working on moving into the vacant theater.

bcrane1 June 27, 2012 at 12:25 pm

"eventually try"? Lafayette is trying now. The sidewalk improvement project from Oak Hill to Trader Joe's is nearly complete. If the noise and congestion are the issue for you, make sure to support any cycling/pedestrain projects like bike parking, bike lanes, cycling/pedestrain wayfinding signs, bike valet at events like the Art/Wine Festival. Lafayette has a history of supporting cycling/ped projects, the more we encourage and/or utilize those efforts the more user friendly the downtown corridor will become.

DC / Lafayette June 27, 2012 at 02:45 pm

Thanks bcrane1

Sue Haas June 27, 2012 at 03:33 pm

I would agree with Nancy, bcrane and Gwen on this. Lafayette has much to offer and it is obvious people like shopping and dining there. I think that is good for the city and wish them well, but if I go to TJ's or Diablo Food and come away with a door ding every time, get caught in traffic on Mont Diablo or have an outdoor dining experience ruined by traffic noise and fumes will I go again? Probably not. While the project Gwen mentions and others suggest vitality and growth many cities would probably give a lot to have it is not without its downside. We are seeing this manifest in many ways lately with increasing pressure for use of available land and facilities. If we build it, we know people will come - just not always with great results.

Peter Armstrong June 28, 2012 at 02:35 pm

What is going on at Hungry Hunter? I've seen the construction/destruction prep work, will they level the building?

J.D. O'Connor (Editor) June 28, 2012 at 02:37 pm

Morning, Peter... no Fentons on the scene of the old Hungry Hunter, just condos. We'll have more on that front, soon. Fentons, as noted in Hannah Strumwasser's recent story, still hopes to make their home at the Park Theater... soon as everyone figures out where to park!

Bob February 11, 2013 at 07:12 pm

I think using the term "fair" is limiting the actual issues. Craig Semmelmeyer, the acting manager of 'the clocktower' does not negotiate. He states terms and refuses to budge. He is even so bold as to force tenants to pay for capital improvements to a building they don't own. If we (an actual tenant) refuse, we can't upgrade our look. If anybody is seriously trying to rent space in this or any property managed by this "TOOL" I'd strongly urge finding another building. If the silent partner of this venture ever reads this, you need to talk to Craig. Why is there so many open spaces for so long in the building? CRAIG SEMMELMEYER = TOOL!

Roosevelt June 10, 2013 at 05:01 am

Yes mens clothing store