Embrace the Vallejo Experience
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SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE ADVERTISING FEATURE Vallejo Embrace the Vallejo experience INSIDE Real estate: Buyers turn to affordable Art: Vibrant scene offers steampunk Outdoors: Visitors enjoy kayaking, homes in waterfront city N4 creations, painters, symphony N8 golfing, riding rollercoasters N12 N2 San Francisco Chronicle Advertising Feature • Vallejo • Sunday, October 15, 2017 PHOTOS BY LAURA MORTON Left: The historic Empress Theatre was built in 1911 in downtown Vallejo. Right: Sir Stryker performs at the piano during his concert “Sir Stryker in Concert: A Story of Hope.” H istory meets creativity in downtown Vallejo By Maurice Robie The potential of Vallejo’s his- toric downtown has been redis- covered as a burgeoning arts and entertainment district. With working artist studios, a performing arts venue and ap- pealing food options, the district has added creative flair to the city. Combining classic Vallejo in- stitutions with the fresh energy of new businesses, downtown has become a fun and vibrant destination. THE EMPRESS THEATRE Originally built in 1911 and opened in 1912, the Empress Theatre has changed hands many times and undergone numerous renovations. At first, the building was home to touring vaudeville acts and then a motion picture palace. Eleven years ago, the city spent $5 million bringing back some of the splendor of the origi- nal red velvet seats and ornate gold leaf painted clouds on the ceiling. Now the beautiful 400- seat hall is a multi-use facility anchoring a revitalized downtown. V isitors head into the 400-seat Empress Theatre in Vallejo before the start of the performance “Sir Stryker in Concert: A Story of Hope.” “We’re already establishing ourselves as an entertainment Kitchen in downtown Vallejo or at clothes are newly made from If you go center,” general manager Kevin the Vallejo Ferry Dock for manufacturers recreating the Frazier said. commuters. signature styles. The Empress Theatre: 330 Virginia St., Vallejo, (707) 552-2400, With Frazier booking a variety She also makes box lunches for Owner Serenity Beth Holzman www.empresstheatre.org. of music, comedy and performing 10 or more. A popular choice is calls herself an “old soul” who just The League of Chefs: 300 Virginia St., Vallejo, (510) 423-1911, acts, the theater has this year her Tuna Sandwich Box with sus- loves the classic eras the clothes doubled its attendance from last tainably caught wild tuna salad evoke. www.leagueofchefs.com. Pick-up from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. year. The Vallejo Symphony is now with peas, Vidalia red onions and With her husband, who’s a Pick-ups are also available at the Vallejo Ferry Dock from 4 p.m. performing at the theater with shredded carrots served on house celebrity and pin-up-style photog- to 8:15 p.m. and other locations listed on their website. their first concert of the new sea- made rosemary focaccia. rapher, Holzman decided to fill a Boutique Classique: 1711 Sonoma Blvd., Vallejo, (707) 641- son at 3 p.m. today. “People are hungry here and niche. 1231, www.boutiqueclassique.net. Open 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday- Frazier wants locals to know they can’t get enough good “We realized there was a need what they have in their historic food,” Hodge said in her kitchen for this fashion. There’s nothing Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. downtown. while preparing a night’s dinner else like this around,” Holzman Temple Arts Lofts: 707 Marin St., Vallejo, (707) 649-4100, “Once they adopt this as their bounty. “Vallejo needs high qual- said. “We got the shop and then search @temple.artlofts on Facebook. performing arts center, then ev- ity fresh organic food.” we realized this genre just took erything else comes into place She also has a dining room off.” Victory Stores: 435 Virginia St., Vallejo, (707) 642-0467. Open with that — people will start to see which seats 36 and she has occa- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. TEMPLE ARTS LOFTS this as a destination city,” Frazier sional weekend dinner nights The Hub: 350 Georgia St., Vallejo, (707) 561-6514, said. there, turning the room over once Temple Arts Lofts is the trans- www.thehubvallejo.org. Open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, His goal is to book the same for two seatings and 72 people all formed combination of two his- Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. acts one could see in San Fran- together. Hodge has successfully toric buildings — the 1917 Ma- cisco or Oakland so locals don’t experimented with special sonic Temple and the 1872 City The Ferry: 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, (707) 643-3779, have to go there. themed pop-up dinners that have Hall. The building now houses 29 www.sanfranciscobayferry.com. “There is lot happening around become so popular, they sell out affordable live/work lofts for artists what’s going on in Vallejo right before the menu is even posted. as well as a performance hall and now,” Frazier said. “As soon as the reservations office space for a nonprofit arts Dickies overflow counters in huge and a fantasy role play night. open up, they book seats. They organization. stacks and there are flannels, THE LEAGUE OF CHEFS just trust that it’s going to be Located in the midst of Vallejo’s boots and shoes, military wear THE FERRY Nicole Hodge just wants to good,” Hodge said. blossoming arts and entertain- and what seems to be customers’ With the only predictable cook good food for you. The She’s found that Vallejo is the ment district the award-winning favorites — eclectic vintage and aspect of Bay Area traffic being its owner and lead chef of The perfect place for her business. project has become an energizing current surplus military gear. The growth, alternative commuting League of Chefs has many ways to “It’s affordable. A community- force in Vallejo’s downtown revital- store can also stamp military dog methods have grown steadily in make that happen. Three nights a oriented, friendly, welcoming ization efforts. tags from a restored vintage ma- recent years. The San Francisco week (Tuesday through Thursday), place. Vallejo is the city of oppor- chine created just for that Bay Ferry service between Vallejo Hodge and her staff prepare tunity. I feel like I can spread my VICTORY STORES purpose. and San Francisco makes 15 gourmet dinners, such as home- wings and take a risk,” Hodge Their motto is “working class weekday departures to San Fran- made beef lasagna with a said. clothes for working class people” THE HUB cisco and seven weekend depar- chopped romaine Caesar salad. but don’t be surprised if you see a Poetry, pottery and hula-hoop tures, most going direct from There are always vegetarian op- BOUTIQUE CLASSIQUE young hipster or two in the store. are just a few of the activities you’ll Vallejo to the San Francisco Ferry tions, like ricotta lasagna, and Located in historic downtown The iconic Vallejo business has find at the aptly named communi- Building although a select few kids’ options as well. Vallejo, this small shop specializes been open since 1945 and is still ty venue “The Hub.” routes also make stops at Mare It’s all ordered in advance from in the glamour of a bygone era. owned by third generation de- Opened in 2013 and run by an Island and Pier 41. her website and pick up options Though the vintage styles are all scendants of the original owner. all volunteer staff, the former The trip takes about an hour include her League of Chef’s from the ’20s through the ’50s, the Brands such as Ben Davis and empty storefront has created a and tickets are available at the welcoming space for artists and Vallejo Ferry Building. Ridership the community to show and sell on the Vallejo service in July 2017 VALLEJO SECTION work, listen to music or simply alone reached an all-time high relax playing a board game with a serving nearly 105,000 passen- Steve Weimer Cyrus Taghavi Maggie Creamer friend. gers. The Ferry also offers direct Multimedia Sales Manager Account Executive Editor There’s a boutique offering service to and from AT&T park on (415) 777-7257 (415) 777-6121 [email protected] handmade items by local artisans some game days during the sea- [email protected] [email protected] and a stage for music and theater son. During weekend games, the performances. Upcoming events Ferry goes directly to and from the On the cover: Vallejo’s waterfront includes plenty of opportunities for recreation. include open mic sing alongs, a park, and on weekday games, the Photo by City of Vallejo Day-of-the-Dead painting party Ferry goes from the park only. Sunday, October 15, 2017 • Vallejo • San Francisco Chronicle Advertising Feature N3 A hidden gem, tucked away in the rolling hills on the eastern shores of San Pablo Bay • 36-hole golf complex, featuring two 18-hole championship golf courses and a 28 stall driving range • Easy access from highway I-80 • Municipal golf course with competitive rates, friendly service and excellent golf course conditions Come visit our Ferry Taproom Located in the Vallejo Ferry Building 289 Mare Island Way Vallejo, CA 94590 Open daily 11:30 am - 10:00 pm Blue Rock Springs Golf Club 655 Columbus Parkway Vallejo, CA 94591 (707) 643-8476 Historic Mare Island arrive surprised... ...leave amazed rom its inception in 1854, the Mare Island Naval FShipyard etablished itself as the preeminent, and oldest, naval installation on the west coast. During its long history, Mare Island has built hundreds of ships and dozens of submarines, and has seen visits from many Presidents during its commission.