The Cove Shopping Center

The Cove Shopping Center is just down the hill from where I live, so I really shop here more out of convenience than anything else.
For the longest time, the Cove sort of let itself go. After Bell Market closed, the space sat empty for years. And without a supermarket to anchor the shopping center, the Cove fell off people’s radars. There was practically tumbleweed blowing in the empty parking lot.
Fortunately, Paradise Foods moved in to the abandoned market a year ago, and Tiburon finally has a new grocery store (and a damn good one at that). Ever since Paradise opened its doors, it’s like the Cove has turned over a new leaf. There’s now a Peet’s Coffee where all the soccer moms and telecommuters like to congregate. And you can still find a number of longstanding businesses, including: a florist, Sweet Things Bakery, Foodniks Deli, Milano’s Restaurant, Marin Dry Cleaners, Champagne Salon, a Physical Therapy studio, and a UPS Store. So there’s definitely a reason to visit this shopping center again. And it’s nice to see cars and people in the parking lot again.
My only gripe with the Cove is its lack of dining options. All you really have are Milano’s for Italian food and Foodnik’s for deli sandwiches and salads. It would be nice to have more variety. Also, Paradise Foods closes at 9pm. So if you need to pick up anything at the store (from wine to toilet paper) in the evening, you’re pretty much S.O.L. You’ll have better luck at Safeway at the Strawberry Village a few miles down the road.
All in all, I’m glad to see the Cove coming back from the dead. With a few new shops & restaurants, and maybe a new coat of paint, this place could once again become a shopping/​dining destination.