GILROY
– Sales tax coffers and eatery options will increase by spring.
That’s the message coming out of Gilroy’s economic development
headquarters regarding news that two highly successful food
establishments are coming to town.
GILROY – Sales tax coffers and eatery options will increase by spring. That’s the message coming out of Gilroy’s economic development headquarters regarding news that two highly successful food establishments are coming to town.
Chuck E. Cheese’s pizza parlor and Starbucks coffee shop are headed for Gilroy’s retail developments at U.S. 101 and Highway 152. Starbucks – Gilroy’s third one – will go inside Gilroy Crossings, the Target complex. Chuck E. Cheese’s will go inside Pacheco Pass Center, the complex with Best Buy.
“I think this is a major contribution to the entire development,” said Bill Lindsteadt, Gilroy’s economic development director. “This is significant retail tax generation.”
The establishments are likely to open in June.
The announcement comes at a time when sales tax revenue becomes increasingly important for local governments hampered by the state’s fiscal crisis. To balance its own budget, the state has plans to cut spending on municipal governments. It also has plans to siphon off a portion of city sales tax revenue to pay off Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s $15 billion deficit reducing bond proposal.
Chuck E. Cheese’s is a pizza parlor and entertainment center for kids and families. It is a popular place for birthday parties and other group celebrations.
“It’s a kids pizza parlor,” Lindsteadt said. “It really gives a family a venue where they can take the kids.”
The Chuck E. Cheese’s announcement comes on the heels of an adult-version pizza parlor in downtown Gilroy. Happy Dog Pizza Co. opened its doors Tuesday in the old Station 55 firehouse on Fifth Street.
“The wood-fired oven is in. Our permits our approved. Our doors are open,” co-owner Steve Gearing said.
Happy Dog will serve gourmet California-style pizza along with other entrees and appetizers. An upstairs live entertainment venue is also part of the company’s business plan.
As for Starbucks, Gilroyans have had ample opportunity to get familiar with the Seattle-based Java brewer. Locations in the Gilroy Premium Outlets and the Nob Hill shopping center on First Street have been successful here.
