The Pruneyard Shopping Center has welcomed another new tenant as its multi-year renovation rolls on.

Southern California-based sandwich shop Mendocino Farms made its Northern California debut on Dec. 8 in Campbell. There are 16 locations in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Mendocino Farms is known for what the company calls its “fast-casual, chef-driven seasonal menu of salads and gourmet sandwiches.”

Husband-and-wife owners Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen said opening their first Northern California location is a dream come true and a homecoming of sorts. Chen grew up in the East Bay, and Del Pero calls north of Sacramento his old stamping grounds.

“For us, it’s pretty much coming home to where we grew up,” Chen said in an interview with this newspaper. “I always felt like this was a Northern California concept, hence the name Mendocino Farms. It just took us 12 years to get back here.”

Del Pero said they chose The Pruneyard after hearing about owner Ellis Partners’ plans to radically revamp the shopping center over the next few years.

The renovation is in its first phase and includes new pedestrian pathways, renovated buildings and outdoor public gathering areas. The next phases call for five new retail buildings, 100,000 square feet of office space and 680 additional parking spaces.

“We chose Campbell to really enter the NorCal market because it really fit with one of our core values, and that’s to create neighborhood gathering places,” Del Pero said. “We saw this great synergy that was going to heighten The Pruneyard and deepen its ties with the neighborhood as being the place to gather.”

Mendocino Farms is located next to Trader Joe’s, and the former walkway on the right side was converted to fit the 3,000-square-foot restaurant. It includes an outdoor patio, children’s area and a planned space where guests can play the bean bag-toss game cornhole.

“We wanted to make sure the environment that we create is really comfortable and inviting for people with kids and for people who want to come and hang out for just a glass of wine or beer,” Chen said, adding that guests “are more than welcome to hang out” in the restaurant without an employee hinting for them to leave to turn the table for another guest.

According to Del Pero, Whole Foods Market made an investment in Mendocino Farms company two years ago. Restaurants in San Jose, San Francisco and San Mateo are slated to open next year.

As Chen and Del Pero’s restaurant puts roots down in the Orchard City, the couple say they plan to hold a “Paint the Cow” fundraiser for six local elementary schools. Guests will vote for their favorite decorated model bovine, and the school with the most votes will get $1,000 for art programs. The other participating schools will receive a smaller cash prize.

“We want to be able to give back,” Chen said.

Meanwhile, more renovation work continues or has recently wrapped up at the shopping center. DoubleTree by Hilton saw a fresh coat of paint and new decor in its lobby, as well as the launch of a new restaurant, PY Kitchen & Wine Garden. Trudys bridal store added a second floor and a grand staircase. Tin Pot Creamery and Lulu’s, a Mexican restaurant, opened recently.

According to its ownership, Pruneyard Cinemas is expected to open before the end of the month with comfier seating and more food, drink and entertainment options. A Peet’s Coffee & Tea is in the works next to Mendocino Farms.

Mendocino Farms is located at 1875 S. Bascom Ave.