THE END OF PRESTIGE … After 57 years as a mainstay in Palo Alto’s Town & Country Village shopping center, women’s-clothing boutique Prestige Inc. is scheduled to close its doors later this month. Owner Barbara Strassberger, daughter of the late owner Rita Strassberger, will retire after operating the store for 40 years. “I just think it’s time for me to smell the roses,” said the younger Strassberger, who started helping her mother at the store at age 14. “The saddest part will be not seeing our customers. They’ve become our friends.” Strassberger said she has no plans yet for life post-retail, but that she’s looking forward to retirement. “It’s going to be a brand-new, exciting adventure,” she said.
— Casey Moore
THE CYCLING LIFESTYLE … A new bike store has rolled its way into Palo Alto. The shop, A Street Bike Named Desire, opened its doors on Father’s Day weekend in Town & Country Village. Co-owner Joe Robinson said that although there are many bicycle stores in town with an emphasis on racing and serious cycling, his specifically promotes a cycling lifestyle. Robinson says the store is best described as a bicycling boutique, with hardwood floors and simple decorations. Bicycles, most of which are imported from Europe, including town, folding and electric bikes. All bikes purchased from the store are offered full service from tune-ups to full overhauls, Robinson said.
— Aaron Guggenheim
MORE COFFEE, PLEASE … Philz Coffee is set to open another Palo Alto location in early September. Located at 101 Forest Ave., near downtown, the new coffee shop will seat dozens of patrons alongside large open glass windows in 2,000 square feet of space. The new Philz Coffee is slated to have the same price and menu items — with 20 house-made coffee blends with each cup made to order — as the one in Midtown. Jacob Jaber, president of Philz Coffee, said Philz will “continue to blow minds and make the best coffee.”
— Aaron Guggenheim
Heard a rumor about your favorite store or business moving out, or in, down the block or across town? Shop Talk will check it out. Email shoptalk@paweekly.com.
By
Heard a rumor about your favorite store or business moving out, or in, down the block or across town? Shop Talk will check it out. Email shoptalk@paweekly.com.
By
Heard a rumor about your favorite store or business moving out, or in, down the block or across town? Shop Talk will check it out. Email shoptalk@paweekly.com.
By
Philz coffee is a bit overrated and way too strong.
The Forest Ave location will have no parking so good luck.
don
A cycling lifestyle? Puhleazzzz. Good luck w/that biz. Maybe customers will buy a Euro bike and cycle over to Philz for some joe – they won’t be able to park if they go by car anyway.
Thanks, Prestige, for many years helping us find gifts for family and friends!
Best wishes to the new bike shop. People keep complaining about too much traffic around town. Bicycles use much less road space and much less parking space, so are a perfect way to reduce traffic. Many people buy racing bicycles or mountain bicycles because that is all that most bike shops sell. I’ve never ridden one of these European commuter bicycles, but maybe they really are more comfortable for commuting around town to work or shopping.
We love Philz’coffee and always visit the Loma Verde/Middlefield location which is immensely popular and has plenty of parking, besides beautiful outdoor patios so that patrons can enjoy fresh air and nice scenery. Just wish Phil would put more chairs/tables out, and make sure that there were more flowers growing in the boxes outside. It would make a difference, and would be greatly appreciated.