Union Landing Stays Strong As Newark Retail Suffers

When it comes to retail, Union City and Fremont have reason to smile while Newark has cause for envy.

"The big picture along the Interstate 880 corridor is the success of Pacific Commons (Fremont) and Union Landing," acccording to Thad Logan of Retail West, a San Francisco-based commercial real estate firm.

Why do current trends seem to favor Union City and Fremont?

"Union Landing has held its position since it opened and its theater remains a huge draw," Logan told Patch.

Fremont's Pacific Commons also maintains the retail version of critical mass -- the right mix of entertainment, big box stores and restaurants -- to perpetuate its momentum.

By contrast Newark has had some high profile retail departures in recent years including the loss of a Toys'R'Us to Fremont.

In his recent state of the city speech Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison revealed that a new TJ MAXX and Home Goods will occupy the former Ashley Furniture site in his town. 

That welcome news for Fremont could be an ominous portent for the TJ MAXX at Mowry Center in Newark.

Although Newark economic development director Terrence Grindall recently told Patch he doesn't have any information about a possible closure, he allowed that TJ MAXX doesn't commonly have two stores as close as the existing Newark store and the pending Fremont location would be.

Meanwhile, Union City and Fremont continue to shine as retail destinations.

"Success feeds on itself," Logan said.