Downtown Novato is getting a new burger joint.
Smashburger, a Denver-based chain, has signed a lease to open a location at 7370 Redwood Blvd., a half block from Grant Avenue and a half block from De Long Avenue. The restaurant will occupy a spot in a new building that replaced the old Denny's location and Mills Restaurant between a Shell gas station and a McDonald's restaurant.
The chain will open in a 2,335-square-foot spot next to . A Smashburger publicist said the restaurant would open in the late spring or early summer.
"I have heard great things about them ... people speak highly of them," said Darren Pomponio, president of the Downtown Novato Business Association. "Anything that brings new energy to downtown is great."
According to its website, Smashburger is "a place with a burger soul." The burgers are seasoned Angus beef served on artisan buns with fresh produce. The company also serves chicken sandwiches, salads, fries, veggie frites, haystack onions, milkshakes made with Haagen-Dazs ice cream and bottled beer and wine.
"The way we look at it, it's a broader menu and we expect it to be appealing for downtown business workers and Novato families," said Thad Logan of RetailWest commercial real estate agency, which handled the lease. "It's quick service, but it's more like a restaurant than like fast food."
Smasburger, established in 2007, has about 200 locations.
“We started this concept about five years ago with the intention of changing the way people thought about burgers," CEO and Chairman David Prokupek, said on the Smashburger website. "We wanted to offer food and an atmosphere that was modern, exciting and much different from the quick-service burger restaurants that consumers now find tiring."
Logan said the outdoor patio area on the sidewalk along Redwood Boulevard will be an attractive option for diners there.
Parking options in the downtown area have been a widespread concern as the new building made its debut. Logan said Peet's attracts and early-day crowd while Smashburger would attract more of a late-day crowd. Another new building is being finished up about 75 yards to the north; Umpqua Bank Plaza at the corner of Grant and Redwood won't have much parking once it is opened.
"We think that area is pretty pedestrian friendly," Logan said. "A lot of their business will be from foot traffic."
Logan said the largest parcel inside the new building at 7330 Redwood — 3,880 square feet — is still available for lease.
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After circling Grant, Machin, Reichert, Delong, Sherman three times I had to park near Chianti on Vallejo twice last week. That is 1/3 of a mile from the Sherman/Grant intersection where Grazie is. This parking problem is already deterrent to visiting downtown Novato. How will the Umpqua project, the Peet's/Chipotle,Smashburger spot, and the city hall project further impact parking? Fyi here is the mapquest link showing the distance of my walk with my 75 yr old guest: http://www.mapquest.com/directions
umpqua bank project: 21 total parking spaces 50 bank employees umpqua retail branch 20+ customers per hour? 7,500 sf of retail/restaurant space. 20 employees per hour. 400 customers daily? how this will affect parking? 100+ spaces needed per business hour city hall project: 56 parking spaces 60 city employees (they anticipate 71 eventually) 30 total daily visitors how will this affect parking? 10+ additional spaces needed during business hours chipotle, peet’s, smashmouth, 1 more vacant space project: 35 Parking spaces 30 employees 500 daily visitors?? how will this affect parking? 50+ parking spaces needed during business hours the novato theatre project 2 total parking spots two screen with 300+ seats how will this affect parking? huge effect on evening parking 7 nights per week parking is tough now during peak hours downtown. the word is that many potential customers are fed up with driving around (like you sprocket), imagine when these other projects come online.
So best of luck Smash Burger!!!!
Another burger joint is hardly what is needed. I have been to Grazie at about 11am the past two weeks and parked almost right at the door.....I know parking is bad on Grant Ave but why not utilize Whole Foods parking lot and walk a bit?
I always park my car further out in the malls...great exercise and less dings on the door.
Nic eot see there are better city planner on Patch than the city employees. I'm glad I live closer to In&Out then smash. Bad name, smashburger, far as I see it, ugly mental image.