The Burlingame Voice

Pendulum swings to the Renters

An article in today's SF Examiner by Katie Worth focuses on the deals commercial and residential renters are getting from their landlords.  It appears to be a renters' market.

Commercial renters are also paying less than they did one year ago, with office-space prices dropping more than 30 percent per square foot, according to an analysis by Grubb & Ellis Research of San Francisco.

Burlingame

Asking rent Class A office space, 2009      $2.75 per sf

Asking rent Class A office space, 2008      $4.00 per sf

Vacancy rate, 2009       20.1%

Vacancy rate, 2008       15.6%

Apartment rentals are declining as well--though occupancy has remained high, according to data collected by Novato firm RealFacts.

The Burlingame commercial rents are a bit below the county average and the vacancy rate is about 3% higher.  Anyone know what the going rates on Broadway and Burlingame Ave. are doing?

Broadway Clean Up on Sunday, September 28

Though the Burlingame Broadway Pet Parade is on Saturday September 27 it does not promise "treasures" in our cleats! Just some tidying up on the Sunday. If you would like to volunteer to tidy up the parking lots, sidewalks and vegetation around the Broadway area on Sunday September 28 from 9:30 - 10:30 am. (meet at Lot Y) please contact: Ann Keighran, Burlingame City Council Member ann@annkeighran.com OR Stacey Poncia, Recreation Supervisor teens@burlingame.org Volunteers are encouraged to submit a volunteer application. Please download the flyer and application and mail it to the Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department at 850 Burlingame Avenue, or bring the application to the Sunday clean up day!

- Written by Fiona

Shop Burlingame/Broadway's Farmers Market

Farmers market sprouts new digs -Organizers say shop owners sent letter of complaint; merchants hope venue change will boost business (by Mark Abramson / Daily News Staff Writer) If you're planning to go to the farmers market in Burlingame tonight, head for Broadway. With very little fanfare, organizers have suddenly decided to move the farmers market from its familiar location at the Burlingame Plaza Shopping Center on the 1800 block of El Camino Real more than a mile away to the Broadway corridor, where they hope it will infuse new life. Organizers sought the location change because property owners at the shopping center had complained about the farmers market, according to a letter sent to the city. The letter could not be obtained Tuesday because city department heads were on a retreat, but City Manager Jim Nantell said in a brief phone interview that the market will be set up tonight on Laguna Avenue, just north of Broadway, and next Wednesday possibly on Capuchino Avenue, also just north of Broadway. If it is moved to Capuchino Avenue, drivers in the area must be notified that they will have to be rerouted around it through a parking lot. "We will see how it plays out. If it seems to work out, we will possibly try it for the month of July," Nantell said. The Burlingame Chamber of Commerce and businesses on Broadway initially asked to have the farmers market on Broadway, but that would have created traffic problems, Nantell said. It still could cause some problems with all the one-way streets in the area, he added. "We tried it at the plaza and the plaza landowners haven't really been supportive, so we are just going to move it," said chamber President Georgette Naylor. "The Broadway merchants really are excited about it." Businesses in the Broadway Improvement District have longed for a farmers market for a couple of years and the chamber approached them last week about the idea of moving it, said Ross Bruce, a broker at AVR Realty on Broadway and the improvement district's president. All the apartments and nearby residences make the area ideal for a farmers market, he said. The improvement district voted to approve the farmers market last Thursday. The city's other farmers market operates Sundays near Burlingame Avenue. "We would like it to be a nice addition to the neighborhood, not a source of frustration," Bruce said. "Broadway has a history of trying to do things to bring our neighbors onto the street." Some businesses had concerns about the market, but most of the merchants support the idea, Bruce said. "I think it's good for Broadway," said David Hinckle, owner of Earthbeam Natural Foods on Broadway. "It will bring more people." Hinckle said he expects the produce part of his business may take a hit from the farmers market, but his bread and butter - personal care and supplements - would thrive with such an addition to the neighborhood. Hinckle said it will be the first time a farmers market sets up around Broadway in the 37 years he has been in business. The farmers market did not get the word out because of how hastily the move was put together, but attendance should pick up as more people hear about it, Hinckle said. The improvement district voted to approve the farmers market location change last Thursday. "I think we are counting on a lot of people showing up. I think it will be nothing but good," Hinckle said.

- Written by Fiona

Il Piccolo Players Next Performance on Saturday, June 21

The Il Piccolo Players next olde time radio show will be a double header: (1) Fibber McGee & Molly - The Abandoned Jalopy Director - Sandy Towle The original episode aired in 1939. Fibber McGee & Molly was a radio show that played a major role in determining the full form of what became classic, old-time radio. The series was a pinnacle of American popular culture from its 1935 premiere until its end in 1959. One of the longest-running comedies in the history of classic radio in the United States, Fibber McGee & Molly has stood the test of time in many ways, transcending the actual or alleged limitations of its medium, form and concurrent culture. (2) The Whistler - Beyond Reasonable Doubt Director - Stephen Hamilton This strange mystery explores the twisted paths of fate and guilt. What would a married woman do to hide her past? DATE: Saturday, June 21 TIME: 7:00 PM WHERE: Il Piccolo Caffe, 1219 Broadway INFORMATION: www.ilpiccoloplayers.com The Il Piccolo Players performances are free, family friendly and everyone is welcome.

- Written by Fiona

Dine Burlingame - A Murder Mystery Dinner at the Broadway Grill

There will be the first Murder Mystery Dinner at The Broadway Grill on Wednesday, March 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets - $29.00 per person (does not include dinner) Reservations - (650) 343-9333. The "Detective's Club" written by well-known comedian Danny Williams is a humorous murder mystery dinner where the action happens during a stand up reception and sit-down dinner. Mingle with the characters during the reception and ask them questions during dinner. Guests will have a multitude of clues and each team will complete a solution card before dessert.

- Written by Fiona

Burlingame Avenue's Loss, Broadway's Gain

Longtime Burlingame retailers' futures uncertain (by Tim Simmers /MediaNews)

After 25 years of operating her All That Glitters jewelry store, Isabelle de Paz is having a hard time thinking straight. With the lucrative Christmas shopping season under way, she has been told she has to move from her longtime storefront in downtown Burlingame because the building has been sold. Normally, she would be designing one of her eye-catching holiday window displays, but now she is hanging up "leaving sale" signs.

A number of other hair salons and skin-care retailers in the Primrose Road building are also in limbo. Their leases have expired, and they're paying month-to-month rents with no word on how long they can stay. Half of the 20 shop owners who occupied the building have already moved.

"They're throwing a landmark out, and I'm really upset," said an emotional de Paz. Her colorful jewelry store has been a shining star in the downtown Burlingame retail scene. Her flamboyant windows stood out for years, and her lively personality also added color to the local landscape. Now, de Paz is scrambling to gather her merchandise, put it on sale and move what is left to a new location at 1454 Broadway in Burlingame after the first of the year.

The handsome, 60-year-old Tudor-style building she occupies now was sold last year to Kirk C. Syme, owner of Woodstock development in Burlingame, by longtime owner G.W. Williams Co. Syme has submitted plans to the city of Burlingame to reconfigure the building, but the plans are on hold, according to Burlingame city planners. Syme noted that he is still in the process of planning the space. "It's an iconic, signature building, and I'm delighted to own it," said Syme, adding that he plans to remake the ground floor into one space and lease it to a single retailer. The ground floor has been home to a half dozen retailers. He prefers to lease the floor to a local retailer, but if a national tenant wants to look, "that's all right, too," he said. He'll move his company upstairs in the two-story building, where a handful of small businesses have been left in the lurch but are still operating.

The shop owners are convinced the reworked ground floor will go to a chain store, further boosting rents that are squeezing small retailers in the downtown area. Burlingame already has its share of large national retail chains, including The Gap, Baby Gap, Sharper Image, Pottery Barn and Bebe's women's clothing store.

The shop owners who are left are playing a waiting game, looking for new digs in their spare time. Denise Spanek, owner of the makeup and skin-care studio Visage, is in the process of moving after 24 years in business. She grew up in Burlingame and started her business when she was 23. But Spanek said she could see the writing on the wall as downtown rents climbed. She realized she could no longer afford to stay in the city and is moving to San Francisco near the Potrero Hill district - she got nearly twice the space for less than she pays now. "Burlingame's turned into a corporate, high-end mall without ceilings," Spanek said. "That's not what my business is about or what I want to compete with."

Syme would not reveal how much he paid for the building, but the shop owners believe it's about $6 million. Syme founded Woodside Development in 1996 and owns buildings in San Mateo, Redwood City and Foster City. The shop owners know he'll need to charge higher rents to pay for his Burlingame acquisition, and they don't figure they're in his plans.

William Boudreau runs a hair salon in the building with his partner. His lease expired, after 10 years and he has been put on a month-to-month basis. "We don't feel secure here anymore, and we've got to keep looking," Boudreau said. "It's not easy picking a place, because most aren't set up for what we want."

- Written by Fiona

Man Dies After Being Shot on Highway 101 in Burlingame

Motorist shot and killed while driving on Highway 101 near Burlingame (Inside Bay Area)

BURLINGAME A 25-year-old man from Gardena who was driving on Highway 101 near Burlingame was shot and killed Sunday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The man was driving a 1990 Honda northbound on 101 near Broadway at 11:18 p.m. when his vehicle was shot at, witnesses told the CHP. The man lost control of the Honda, which ran off the roadway, crashed into a guardrail and overturned. The driver was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he later died from gunshot wounds.

Burlingame police are investigating the shooting incident, and Redwood City CHP officers are handling the collision.

- Written by Jen

Burlingame Pet Parade this Saturday

Pet parade promises fun (by Anna Rendall, Daily Journal)

Photo by Mark Hundley - Scores of participants will flock to the streets of Burlingame this weekend to participate in the city's annual pet parade.

Last year, a family of straw-hat wearing Hawaii-Five O-ers took home the grand prize at the Burlingame Pet Parade. Their dog wore a lei and Hawaiian print shirt, too, of course. But Carley, a black lab, had quite some competition, including a devil, ballerina, jester, racecar driver, motorcycle rider and pirates. Although the family won for their creative outfits and float even the wagon they toted an inflatable palm tree in wore a grass skirt the grand prize can go to any participant for any category, and this Saturday at the annual Burlingame Pet Parade, the judges will, again, have some tough calls to make. It can be anything at all,? said Burlingame Mayor Terry Nagel, one of the many volunteers behind the pet parade.

This year, the parade will include participants, their pets and a horse who has been in the Rose Bowl three times, all led by a miniature train to the sounds of the Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band. However, Broadway will host more than a parade this Saturday. The Peninsula Humane Society will show its mobile adoption van and spay and neuter unit. Clowns will make balloon animals before and after the parade, and students from Art Attack art studios will draw sketches of pets. The San Mateo Elks Concert Band will perform. And after riding in the parade, engineer Rudy Horak will give children rides on his miniature train, and at 12:15 p.m. he will give kids a ride on the Storytime Express? to Blue Skies on Broadway, where Mr. Buddy the Clown, accompanied by Mayor Terry Nagel and Police Chief Jack Van Etten, will read animal stories to children at 12:30 p.m. All for free. Everything is free, free, free,? said Nagel, who added the parade and activities are volunteer-funded and run. This is a very for the people by the people type' of gathering,? said Nagel.

Last year, more than 1,000 people watched 450 participants march in the parade. Out of the 450, six prizes were awarded. For the Begovich family, winning last years' grand prize was a shock. It was a big surprise,? said Daniel, now 8, one of the three brothers who took home the prize last year. Hs older brother Joseph, 10, said he had fun making their float. They were thrilled,? said Mariann Begovich, their mother, who said her sons' grand prize ribbon currently hangs in their bedroom, mounted in a picture frame with a newspaper clipping of the event and a photo of them at the parade. Because some children can't have pets, stuffed animals are allowed in the parade and competition. In fact, a prize in the past went to a couple of girls with stuffed animals in their wagon, said Nagel. This Saturday, a new award will be given out to celebrate Burlingame's 100th birthday: Best Costume with Centennial Theme.? This year's parade will also welcome the addition of a new judge and the end of the pre-registration requirement.

In addition to pets, participants march with their homemade floats, which can sit atop a wagon, bicycle, or kiddie car. Everything in the parade must be foot-driven except for the train. Wheelchairs and strollers are allowed, according to the parade's Web site. No cars will be in the parade. One of our rules is that there are no politicians riding in cars,? said Nagel, who added that commercial booths were banned in addition to political participation. The whole reason we started the parade was to make friends and have fun,? Nagel said.

The parade route, which is available at burlingamepetparade.com, will begin at parking Lot Y between Laguna Avenue and Chula Vista Avenue and end back at the same parking lot less than a half-mile and about 30 minutes later, according to the Web site. Then the judges will choose the winners, including honorable mentions. We used to do big, fancy prizes, but now we have big, fancy ribbons,? said Nagel. The pet parade will be the fourth for Burlingame, after its conception in 2004 when, after witnessing a Fourth of July pet parade in Bend, Ore., Nagel brought the idea back to Burlingame and, with other dedicated volunteers, started what became Burlingame's annual pet parade. The first parade was very informal, a couple dozen people straggled down the street and boom, it was done,? said Nagel. Now, she said, it's a big event.

Other winners last year included motorcycle rider Rocky, a German Shepard from San Mateo for best-dressed pet, and Hollywood of Colma, a 3-foot-tall miniature pony with ribbons in his mane and gold manicured hooves complete with glitter tips for most interesting pet. Nagel said the parade has had a whole range? of pets, from geckos, rats, exotic birds and snakes. But the majority of the pets parading are pooches. I can't tell you how many dogs have pedicures,? said Nagel.

- Written by Fiona

Beauty and the Beast

This is the last weekend to see Broadway by the Bay's excellent production of Beauty and the Beast. Showtimes are Saturday, July 28 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The San Mateo Performing Arts Center is one block south of Burlingame on Delaware, next to San Mateo High School.
The cast features a Burlingame High student, a recent graduate of San Mateo High (Lumiere), the San Mateo High Drama director (Cogsworth), a mom of a Burlingame High student, as well as actors appearing courtest of Actors' Equity Association. One of BBB's best productions yet. Don't miss it.

- Written by Joanne

Broadway Restaurant

New restaurant swims into old Pisces space
By Michelle Durand (San Mateo Daily Journal)

A San Francisco-based restaurant company will move into Burlingame's Broadway train station that formerly used for the upscale eatery Pisces if it can hook approval from both Caltrain and the city and county of San Francisco.

The proposed five-year lease with Stazione LLC does not include the name or style of restaurant slated for the space at 1190 California Drive. Stazione currently owns the Italian and Mediterranean restaurants Cafe Tiramisu, Brindisi Cucina di Mare and Belden Taverna in San Francisco's famed Belden Place.

Stazione representatives could not be reached for comment.

As part of the deal, Stazione agrees to take on Pisces' credit obligations and will pay $3,550 per month with a 3 percent increase up to $220,000 over the life of the agreement. The lease includes one five-year extension option.

Visit www.smdailyjournal.com for the full article.

- Written by admin