To many, Old Town Pasadena is a place to leisurely walk around, shop and dine while Paseo is a misfit of sorts that has yet to find its way. However, there appears to be a strategic plan in place that could make Paseo more of a destination, pedestrian friendly and attract higher end retail.

In the coming months, there will be some major turnover in Old Town. Barnes and Nobles will be closing, leaving a 15,500+ square foot space to be divided (as no retailer nowadays takes that much space). The women’s clothing store Chico’s will also be vacating their space, adding an additional 2,200 square feet to become available. Barney’s, the longest running restaurant in Old Town had an amazing run since 1979 but unfortunately closed on December 5th and the landlord has yet to find a tenant for 2,640 square feet. And who can forget the 9,000 square feet of restaurant space on the third floor of 88 W. Colorado that once housed JJ’s Steakhouse. With all of this vacancy, I am curious to know who will be moving in and how Pasadena takes to them.

As for Paseo, the redevelopment has been ongoing for some time. They continue to let tenants leases expire and temporarily fill them with — in my opinion — terrible shops which adds to the downward spiral. I’ve been told over and over that a 2013 start date and 2014 grand reopening was in the works, but have yet to believe this. In addition to the new retailers, they plan on adding some green to the now concrete walkways and make them more family/kid friendly. I’ve included some pictures below of renderings that show how they would like the new center to look.

Lastly, a rumor I am hearing is that the McCormick & Schmick’s in Plaza Las Fuentes (intersection of Los Robles and Union) will be closing next year. I am not surprised by this, but maybe they are just relocating.

What are your thoughts on all this change? Who would you like to see come to Pasadena (retail or food) who has yet to come?

* Disclosure – these are just renderings and the tenants shown in the picture do not necessarily reflect that they will be in the complex.