Discount store is remodeling old Albertson’s site to open
25,000-square-foot apparel shop
Morgan Hill – Ross Stores, Inc. is quietly planning to open a dd’s Discount store in the former location of Albertson’s supermarket at the Morgan Hill Plaza.
The move to Morgan Hill is part of a major expansion by the Pleasanton-based retail company, which is acquiring 46 vacant Albertson’s stores in California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida.
“We are in the process of finalizing the terms of the leases, subleases and assignments for all of these locations,” said Katie Loughnot, vice president for Ross Stores, Inc., in an e-mail. “We have advised that we are unable to comment publicly on these sites until we release or store growth targets for our fiscal 2007 year (which begins Feb. 4) with our January year-end sales release on Feb. 8. Until then, I cannot comment specifically on any individual location.”
Owned by Ross Stores, Inc., dd’s Discounts features lower-priced in-season and name-brand apparel, accessories, footwear and home fashions.
City officials learned in December the old Albertson’s site was being leased to Ross Stores, Inc. after it sought permits from the city to remodel the site.
Morgan Hill Planning Manager Jim Rowe said the company wants to refurbish the store’s exterior and interior.
He said it’s possible the store could open in April if architectural plans are approved.
The retailer – which is subleasing the space from the Albertson’s broker – plans to further sublease 8,000 square feet to a small business.
Some city officials feel Morgan Hill Plaza, located at the southwest corner of Dunne Avenue and Monterey Road, is a “blighted” area that should be rejuvenated using money from the Redevelopment Agency. The center, developed in 1972, has multiple property owners.
Morgan Hill Business Assistance and Housing Services Department Director Garrett Toy said some officials would have preferred an upscale foods store.
“Ideally we’d like to have seen a small specialty grocery store go in there, but I think it’s better having a retail and apparel store than something service-related,” Toy said. “We’d still like to see that center revitalized. It needs a facelift.”
Ross operates more than 770 stores nationwide – including one at Cochrane Plaza – and has 26 dd’s Discount locations, according to the company’s Web site.
Tony Burchyns covers Morgan Hill for The Times. Reach him at (408) 779-4106 ext. 201 or tb*******@*************es.com.
