Community News

Lucky Savon opened Tuesday February 9th, 1999 at 4:00 pm as announced in the new Bernal Oaks shopping center. The day started out as a cold and rainy morning and afternoon, but just before the ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:45, the rain stopped, the sun peaked out from the clouds and a beautiful rainbow could be seen. There were an estimated 100 to 150 people lined up at both entrances with brand new shopping carts and kids in tow waiting for the dignitaries to finish, so they could be the first to shop in the new store. Over half of the very large parking lot for the entire shopping center was filled.

Several Lucky Savon vice presidents spoke thanking each other and introduced the rest of their entourage. There were probably 50 upper management types in the crowd. They didn't interact with the crowd, but basically kept to themselves. Store manager, Jim Lani, introduced all of the department heads of the store. Finally, San Jose City Councilmember Charlotte Powers spoke. She thanked Randy Tyler and the Bernal band and reminded us all that the new shopping center is a welcome addition to this part of the city especially because of what was on the property before the shopping center was built. Ms. Powers was then handed a very large pair of ceremonial scissors. She posed for the cameras and then cut the ribbon. At this point, the crowd of patient shoppers were allowed to shop! View the pictures of Lucky's old and new.

Here is a chronicle of events from 3:40 pm to 4:15 pm.

Stopped by the old Lucky's store on Santa Teresa Blvd and Cottle Road. Took some pictures of the store and the thinly stocked shelves. The store would be closing in 20 minutes.

Arrive at the new Bernal Oaks shopping center.

Stop at Nob Hill Foods on Bernal and Santa Teresa to pick up a couple of things. It would have taken about ten minutes to get into the new Lucky's since so many people were trying to get in at once. The parking lot and store at Nob Hill looked like a typical shopping day for the store. Surprisingly, nobody in the store mentioned the new Lucky Savon store.

Stopped by the old Lucky's store again. The store is now closed as announced. There is a man from a Milpitas Lucky store passing out Lucky flyers directing would be shoppers to the new Bernal Oaks store. Watch as other would be shoppers arrive at the old Lucky's and find the doors are locked. Apparently, not everyone knew that the store would be closing.

So what is going to happen to the old Lucky's store at Santa Teresa Blvd. and Cottle Road in the Plaza de Santa Teresa shopping center? The store closed February 9th at 4:00 pm. A community meeting was held January 25th at the South Side Community Center to discuss the fate of the store and the shopping center. A follow-up meeting will be held at Santa Teresa High School in the gymnasium March 18th from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.