Downtown Pleasanton’s storefronts tell a story of change. With recent closures leaving behind visible gaps along Main Street and raising concerns about how local businesses are holding on.
An Evolving Downtown
“The general trend in downtown has favored restaurants, boutique retail, and financial services. [Since] downtown is still recovering from COVID, and there are a couple of prominent vacancies in places that I at least believe there would be active businesses now if not for the disruption,” said Ken MacLennan, Museum on Main curator.
Walking past empty windows and “for lease” signs, longtime residents are reminded that these shifts did not happen overnight. They are a part of a longer evolution shaped by economic pressures and changing consumer habits.
“As late as the 1970s, downtown was Pleasanton’s central shopping and business district, and it contained a little bit of everything. But now, downtown Pleasanton has leaned into the dine-and-shop experience, with places like the Museum or the Firehouse Arts Center and events like the weekly farmers’ market providing some extra incentive to visit,” said MacLennan.
Today’s closures highlight how much downtown depends on steady foot traffic and community support.
“The thing about history is that it’s always happening to us but we’re rarely in a position to appreciate what it’s doing at the time we live through it. Try to notice the changes when they happen; you’ll be more ready to understand their significance later if you do,” said MacLennan.
SideTrack Bar and Grill’s Fight for Community
Empty storefronts are becoming part of the landscape in downtown Pleasanton. However, inside one family-run restaurant, the lights are still on and the tables are still full, showing a different side of the story.
“For years, we would go to Livermore, some restaurant in Marin, or some other town out of state, and I kept [asking] why this restaurant [wasn’t] in Pleasanton. What I meant by this was, a family-friendly, but also adult-friendly…sports bar, that [has] TVs with a game on, and an elevated casual vibe. There were like nine things I wrote down that I wanted that were missing. I decided to risk my house and life insurance and everything else, and everyone I asked that likes our restaurant told me yes. That’s what was missing in our town and in that location,” said SideTrack Bar & Grill owner Todd Utikal.
After taking the risk, the restaurant quickly became more than just a business; it filled a gap in Pleasanton’s downtown. While many shops are closing, places like this show how some family-owned businesses are adapting and continuing to grow.
Challenge Across Businesses
“This area’s culture has changed tremendously. The demographics, different cultures, and this town has changed dramatically in the last 10-15 years. [And, there is] the cost of business, tariffs, you know there’s a lot of variables that impact business,” said Utikal.
These challenges aren’t unique to one business. Across downtown Pleasanton, many owners face similar pressures as the area changes, forcing some to adapt and others to close. The mix of empty storefronts and thriving family-owned businesses shows a community in transition.
“I like supporting local downtown businesses because I love to support the Pleasanton community. I hope to keep these stories in business since they have beem in the city for so long,” said Mrs. Khoury, Pleasanton citizen.
