After Feb. 21, prospects should head to one in every of Hobee’s 4 different areas to get their blueberry espresso cake repair. (Photograph courtesy of Hobee’s)
With weekday enterprise lunches nonetheless on the decline, the Hobee’s restaurant in North San Jose will shut its doorways two weeks from now.
This River Oaks Plaza location within the high-tech hall opened 28 years in the past, serving up breakfast and lunch (and the chain’s signature blueberry espresso cake) to Silicon Valley workers, residents of the condos and flats within the neighborhood and the occasional San Francisco 49er from close by Levi’s Stadium.
“We're heartbroken to let you understand that we are going to be closing Hobee’s Montague. Our final day of enterprise at that location can be Monday, Feb. 21,” homeowners Camille and Daniel Chijate mentioned in a Fb be aware to prospects.
Fortunately for Hobee’s followers, the homeowners say their 4 different areas — Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto and Belmont — are thriving. And the couple is “actively scouting potential alternative areas within the Campbell / San Jose space” that may be handy for the longtime Montague prospects.
“The truth is that whereas the weekends are nonetheless going robust at Montague, the weekday enterprise lunch crowd has dwindled considerably over time,” they defined of their be aware. “Two years of Covid and many individuals working from house has tremendously exaggerated that state of affairs. Industrial leases have practically doubled on this a part of the South Bay, so signing one other 5-year lease choice right here would have been an unwise enterprise choice.”
Nonetheless, the couple added, “Some could also be fast in charge our landlords right here at River Oaks Plaza. However in reality, throughout this Covid period they had been one of many extra accommodating landlords to work with, given the extraordinarily troublesome circumstances. We respect having been part of this middle and neighborhood. Shifting ahead, this area will change into a grocery retailer and meals market which is a much-needed amenity on this space. We really want them nicely.”
Clients expressed their appreciation to the Hobee’s employees on social media.
“Being a River Oaks resident, I'll miss having Hobee’s to stroll over to. Thanks for the good meals and repair!” wrote Lauren Liebert.
Cliff Naylor mentioned: “I used to be a continuing lunch buyer from 1995 by 2008 after I labored for Connor Peripherals on Zanker Street after which once more at Sony on Zanker Street. You guys rock and you'll rock once more. Such as you say, ‘peace, love and occasional cake to you,’ and need you a lot luck to find a spot quickly.”
Others thanked them for making a enterprise choice that may protect the viability of the opposite areas.
The Chijates had been longtime Hobee’s workers who purchased the corporate in 2017 when the founders, the Taber household, determined to promote after 43 years. The couple met on the outdated San Jose City & Nation Village location, the place she was a waitress and he was a cook dinner, married and made their house within the South Bay.
They expressed optimism for the long run after seeing their different eating places climate the COVID-19 economic system.
“Our remaining shops are thriving and rebounding from two character-building years on this business that we love,” they wrote. “We're assured that we are going to be round to inform the story of the ‘covid years’ at Hobee’s. We’ve survived recessions, dot.com bubble bursts, inventory market crashes. We are going to get by this.”
The Chijates mentioned they're hoping to seek out jobs for his or her Montague workers on the firm’s different areas. They're additionally inviting all present and former Hobee’s workers to get pleasure from a free meal on the Hobee’s location on the ultimate weekend, Feb. 19-21.
From now by Feb. 21, the Montague hours can be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 680 River Oaks Parkway, San Jose. https://hobees.com