News Digest News Digest (October 27, 2004)

Former Kirk's site to become retail

The charcoal-smoked cinderblocks will be coming down on California Avenue.

Owners of the former Kirk's Steakburgers site -- where hundreds of thousands of hamburgers were flipped over the decades -- received approval from Palo Alto's Architectural Review Board last week to raze the restaurant and replace it with a new single-story retail building.

The 10,250-square-foot site has been sitting vacant since Kirk's lost its lease two years ago and relocated to Town and Country Village.

The new 6,100-square-foot, 25-foot-tall building calls for space for three retail tenants and a courtyard with public art. According to project plans, the building will feature a dark, limestone tile base, aluminum window frames, brushed stainless steel or chrome lighting fixtures and sandblasted concrete.

The property is owned by Bradley Ehikian. The project sponsor is Premier Properties, and the architect is Ken Hayes of the Hayes Group. The project must be approved by the City Council before construction can begin.

Tricks and treats coming to Stanford Shopping Center

Children and families are invited to an evening of costumes, trick or treating, games and candy from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the Stanford Shopping Center. From the spider ring toss to spin the wheel of Frankenstein, families can get a jump start on the weekend at the center's "Halloween Bash." The first 300 Simon Kidgits Club members will receive a "spooktacular" surprise. Children accompanied by adults can trick or treat at the participating stores. For more information, cal 617-8585 or visit www.stanfordshop.com.

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