Press

CAMPUS BURGERS OPENING SOON IN CASTRO VALLEY

Campus Burgers is bringing its celebrated, high-quality menu to Castro Valley, serving up handcrafted, juicy gourmet burgers alongside crispy, golden fries made fresh to order. Famous for using premium, locally sourced ingredients and mouthwatering house sauce, it offers a delicious new destination for food lovers seeking comfort in every bite. This exciting new eatery will be taking over the historic location of Knudsen’s Ice Creamery, a beloved local spot whose family legacy of serving up smiles and satisfying the community’s sweet tooth spanned nearly six decades. While paying homage to the warmth and tradition of its iconic predecessor, Campus Burgers is thrilled to welcome neighbors, friends, and families into a new era of memorable dining. The entire Castro Valley community can look forward to gathering together, sharing great food, and creating wonderful new memories right in the heart of town.

WHY LAFAYETTE IS PERFECT FOR HOG ISLAND'S NEWEST LOCATION

As Hog Island Oyster Company began to consider its next location for a new bar and restaurant, serving platters of its famously plump, sweet and sustainably harvested oysters, it had plenty of options, even as far away as Monterey or Los Angeles. But CEO and Hog Island cofounder John Finger said the seafood company, with its renowned Tomales Bay farm, was not in a rush to get too big, too fast. Hog Island wants to keep the focus on “home.” That is, the Bay Area. As he began to hear that a lot of Hog Island fans come from the East Bay suburbs, a combination of things — the right space and the right location — brought the company to Lafayette.

BIG WOOF PETS OPENS AT PARK PLAZA SHOPS

Big Woof Pets opened at the Park Plaza Shops in Lafayette, bringing a vibrant, community minded pet supply destination to the center. The independently owned store offered an extensive selection of high quality food, toys, accessories, and wellness products for dogs, cats, and small animals. Known for its knowledgeable staff and warm, personal service, Big Woof Pets quickly became a trusted resource for local pet owners seeking expert guidance and thoughtfully chosen brands. Its arrival underscored Main Street Property Services’ commitment to selecting exceptional independent retailers that enrich the neighborhood shopping experience. By welcoming a business that prioritized care, quality, and community connection, Main Street Property Services strengthened Park Plaza Shops’ role as a hub for meaningful, locally driven retail.

MAIN STREET PROPERTY SERVICES IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE LEASE SIGNING OF WORKROOM AT THE MARKETPLACE SHOPS IN CASTRO VALLEY

Workroom Pilates has signed a lease for a new boutique fitness and Reformer Pilates studio at The Marketplace Shops in Castro Valley, further enhancing the center’s mix of Lifestyle tenants. The lease was facilitated by Main Street Property Services, which continues to curate community serving businesses at the revitalized retail destination. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027, the studio will offer a modern, welcoming environment featuring a fitness boutique and a studio designed for personalized instruction, small-group classes, and high-quality Reformer Pilates training tailored to all levels. Workroom Pilates’ new location will bring a specialized fitness offering to Castro Valley residents, emphasizing strength, flexibility, and mindful movement in a boutique studio setting. The upcoming opening reflects growing demand for experiential fitness concepts and underscores The Marketplace Shops’ role as a neighborhood hub for wellness, services, and local entrepreneurship. As construction and studio planning move forward, Workroom Pilates is expected to become a destination for both longtime clients and new members seeking a focused, elevated Pilates experience close to home.

DOWNTOWN LAFAYETTE EVENTS FOR 2026

Park Plaza Shops in Lafayette is ideally positioned to benefit from a vibrant calendar of 2026 events and programs hosted by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, reinforcing the Park Plaza Shops’ appeal to prospective retailers, restaurants, and service providers. Throughout the year, the Chamber will activate Downtown Lafayette with high profile community draws such as the Taste of Lafayette, Rock the Plaza summer concert series, the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, seasonal retail promotions, business networking events, and family friendly celebrations that consistently attract tens of thousands of visitors to the area. With Park Plaza Shops located near the heart of these activities, tenants can directly tap into the energy generated by Chamber programming while benefiting from strong local engagement and regional visibility. A full, up to date list of Chamber and community events can be found on the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce events page: Lafayette Chamber Events.

POUR HOUSE SIGNS LEASE AT MARKETPLACE SHOPS

The Marketplace Shops in Downtown Castro Valley are welcoming an exciting new addition as Pour House has officially signed a lease to open its first location in the heart of the district. Scheduled to debut in June 2026, Pour House will bring a modern, self service tap room concept to Castro Valley, featuring more than 30 rotating taps offering a diverse selection of craft beer, wine, and other beverages. Designed as a lively gathering place for locals and visitors alike, the venue will also include a full-service bar and a thoughtfully curated menu highlighting California comfort food with a fresh, elevated twist. The new tap room is expected to enhance the neighborhood’s dining and nightlife scene while anchoring the Marketplace Shops as a destination for food, drink, and community connection. Pour House’s arrival underscores continued investment in Downtown Castro Valley and reflects growing demand for innovative, experience-driven hospitality concepts in the area.

MAIN STREET PROPERTY SERVICES ANNOUNCES MT DIABLO BARBECUE COMING TO LAFAYETTE

Bay Area Telegraph Editorial Team | Bay Area Telegraph
PUBLISHED: Apr. 06, 2026

Despite the “revolving door” reputation of 3422 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Mt. Diablo BBQ aims to break the curse. Led by the Ingram family—barbecue royalty from Gilroy—the new spot brings serious “low-and-slow” expertise to downtown Lafayette. Taking over the former site of All the Smoke and Horn Barbecue, the Ingrams offer a family-style approach rooted in Northern California tradition.

Mike Semmelmeyer says, “We are pleased to bring The Ingram Family’s Barbecue to Lafayette.” Mt Diablo Barbecue is one of the five most anticipated restaurant openings in the 925 area code.

LAFAYETTE'S HISTORIC PARK THEATRE IS TORN DOWN TO THE STUDS AS RENOVATIONS MOVE AHEAD

Bay Area Telegraph Editorial Team | Bay Area Telegraph
PUBLISHED: Apr. 22, 2026

“LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – One of downtown Lafayette’s most recognizable landmarks now looks dramatically different. The long-awaited renovation of the historic Park Theater has moved deep into demolition, with much of the interior stripped back to its structural frame. In its April 15 construction update, the Park Theater Trust said demolition was “moving right along” and …”

URBAN MATCHA AT THE MARKETPLACE SHOPS IN CASTRO VALLEY

Main Street Property Services is pleased to announce the leasing of space to Urban Matcha for its first Bay Area location at the Marketplace Shops. This addition brings an innovative tea concept, enhances the tenant mix, and reinforces our commitment to attracting dynamic brands that serve the local community region.

BRIOCHE DE PARIS - PÂTISSERIE AT PARK PLAZA SHOPS IN LAFAYETTE

Main Street Property Services proudly welcomes Brioche de Paris to Lafayette’s Park Plaza Shops. This opening reflects our careful curation of just the right tenants—brands that elevate the center, complement existing retailers, and create memorable experiences. Brioche de Paris adds authentic flavor, destination appeal, and lasting value to Park Plaza.

MARKETPLACE DEVELOPER OUTLINES HIS BOULEVARD VISION

Mike McGuire | Castro Valley Forum
PUBLISHED: Sep. 29, 2021

“Castro Valley’s downtown got a boost when the Castro Valley Marketplace opened last year and now its developer says plans are afoot to similarly update several other businesses he manages along Castro Valley Boulevard, with some opening by next spring….”

COMMUNING THROUGH FOOD IN THE BAY AREA

Andrea Vasquez Nelson | Diablo Magazine
PUBLISHED: Oct. 25, 2019

“As we transform this building from department store to a department store of food, it’s going to be the heartbeat [and] center of the community,” says Craig Semmelmeyer, founder and principal of Main Street Property Services, whose past projects include the Marketplace in San Ramon, and the Shops at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord…”

CASTRO VALLEY MARKETPLACE UPDATE

Sara Han | Berkeleyside Nosh
PUBLISHED: Jun. 19, 2019

“ In January, Nosh mentioned a huge gourmet marketplace opening soon in Castro Valley and today, we have a few more details to share. Taking over the former Daughtrey’s department store, The Castro Valley Marketplace will be a new type of multi-level artisanal food destination in the East Bay. Nosh spoke with Craig Semmelmeyer, one of the marketplace partners and founder…”

HUGE FOOD HALL PROJECT COMING TO CASTRO VALLEY

Linda Zavoral | The Mercury News
PUBLISHED: Jan. 28, 2019

“Construction is under way on a massive project to transform Castro Valley’s long-vacant Daughtrey’s department store site into a two-story food hall. The Castro Valley Marketplace is scheduled to open this summer, a spokeswoman said. Four partners have been working on this public-private project with the Alameda County Community Development Agency. Two…”

SF’S MARKET FOOD HALL EXPANDING WITH MORE VENDORS

Sarah Fritsche | San Francisco Chronicle
PUBLISHED: Jan. 4, 2019

“The Market is in the midst of an ambitious expansion that will increase the Market Street grocery store and food hall’s space by 50 percent while doubling — maybe even tripling — the number of food vendors. Though partner Chris Foley is staying mum on specifics, he teases that eight to 15 new tenants will feature ramen, Korean food and burgers, and there…”

DESIGN DISTRICT SITE CURATES LOCAL FAVORITES

Lisa Brown | GlobeSt.com
PUBLISHED: Dec. 21, 2017

“Equity Residential just signed four new retail leases at three sustainable apartment communities in the Design District, 855 Brannan, Potrero 1010 and One Henry Adams. This brings the total leased or opened to 10 within the last 10 months, totaling 20,855 square feet, says Drew Sullins, vice president of development, Equity Residential…”

EXECUTIVE Q&A: RETAIL PARTNERSHIPS THAT BUILD COMMUNITY

Kathleen Brown | Multifamily Executive
PUBLISHED: Dec. 18, 2017

“To Chicago-based Equity Residential (EQR), retail partnerships are much more than a source of revenue—they’re integral to building a sense of community at its developments. Over the past year, the developer has introduced three contemporary apartment buildings to San Francisco’s Design District, a former industrial area that’s rapidly evolving into a…”

DEVELOPER CHOSEN TO REHAB DAUGHTREY'S BUILDING IN CASTRO VALLEY

Darin Moriki | Bay Area News Group
PUBLISHED: July. 27, 2017

“A Lafayette developer will be given a chance to transform the long vacant Daughtrey’s building in Castro Valley into a food and dining complex after beating out eight other proposals, including two for mixed-use projects. The 5-2 decision by the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council on July 17 paves the way for Alameda County to begin exclusive negotiations with Main…”

ULI ANNUAL FUND: THROUGH EDUCATION, WE CAN CREATE BETTER COMMUNITIES

Urban Land Institute
PUBLISHED: Oct. 3, 2015

“Retail Consultant Steve Lawton supports the UrbanPlan program of the Urban Land Institute in this recent video premiered at ULI’s Fall Meeting in San Francisco. Steve also co-organized a tour of San Francisco’s Eastern Waterfront project development sites for 100 real estate professionals at the Fall Meeting…”