With weekday business lunches still on the decline, the Hobee’s restaurant in North San Jose will close its doors two weeks from now.
This River Oaks Plaza location in the high-tech corridor opened 28 years ago, serving up breakfast and lunch (and the chain’s signature blueberry coffee cake) to Silicon Valley employees, residents of the condos and apartments in the neighborhood and the occasional San Francisco 49er from nearby Levi’s Stadium.
“We are heartbroken to let you know that we will be closing Hobee’s Montague. Our last day of business at that location will be Monday, Feb. 21,” owners Camille and Daniel Chijate said in a Facebook note to customers.
Luckily for Hobee’s fans, the owners say their four other locations — Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto and Belmont — are thriving. And the couple is “actively scouting potential replacement locations in the Campbell / San Jose area” that would be convenient for the longtime Montague customers.
“The reality is that while the weekends are still going strong at Montague, the weekday business lunch crowd has dwindled significantly over the years,” they explained in their note. “Two years of Covid and many people working from home has greatly exaggerated that scenario. Commercial leases have nearly doubled in this part of the South Bay, so signing another 5-year lease option here would have been an unwise business decision.”
However, the couple added, “Some may be quick to blame our landlords here at River Oaks Plaza. But in truth, during this Covid era they were one of the more accommodating landlords to work with, given the extremely difficult circumstances. We appreciate having been a part of this center and neighborhood. Moving forward, this space will become a grocery store and food market which is a much-needed amenity in this area. We truly wish them well.”
Customers expressed their appreciation to the Hobee’s staff on social media.
“Being a River Oaks resident, I will miss having Hobee’s to walk over to. Thanks for the great food and service!” wrote Lauren Liebert.
Cliff Naylor said: “I was a constant lunch customer from 1995 through 2008 when I worked for Connor Peripherals on Zanker Road and then again at Sony on Zanker Road. You guys rock and you will rock again. Like you say, ‘peace, love and coffee cake to you,’ and wish you much luck in finding a place soon.”
Others thanked them for making a business decision that would preserve the viability of the other locations.
The Chijates were longtime Hobee’s employees who bought the company in 2017 when the founders, the Taber family, decided to sell after 43 years. The couple met at the old San Jose Town & Country Village location, where she was a waitress and he was a cook, married and made their home in the South Bay.
They expressed optimism for the future after seeing their other restaurants weather the COVID-19 economy.
“Our remaining stores are thriving and rebounding from two character-building years in this industry that we love,” they wrote. “We are confident that we will be around to tell the tale of the ‘covid years’ at Hobee’s. We’ve survived recessions, dot.com bubble bursts, stock market crashes. We will get through this.”
The Chijates said they are hoping to find jobs for their Montague employees at the company’s other locations. They are also inviting all current and former Hobee’s employees to enjoy a free meal at the Hobee’s location on the final weekend, Feb. 19-21.
From now through Feb. 21, the Montague hours will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 680 River Oaks Parkway, San Jose. https://hobees.com
Source: www.mercurynews.com