It’s only one shop, and a common one at that, but its identity says a lot about what’s planned for 10 acres of vacant land at the southwest corner of White Lane and Buena Vista Road.
Starbucks has signed on as the first tenant of a neighborhood center, projected to open in about a year, that developer Bolthouse Properties expects will be joined by sit-down restaurants, maybe a boutique market and a variety of public spaces to draw in pedestrians from across the area.
People involved in the project say the lease accomplishes important goals for the 70,000-square-foot center tentatively dubbed Belcourt Village: It instills confidence, signals desirability and sets a casual, welcoming tone for the entire development.
“For us, Starbucks represents that quality tenant for our neighborhood center,” said Bruce Davis, senior vice president of development at Bolthouse. “By starting with them, we’re establishing the credibility for what we’re trying to do with the center.”
Read the full Bakersfield Californian article by John Cox here.
