November 16, 2007

Your Commerce

Vans ‘Off The Wall’ becomes newest store at Eastridge

Vans “Off The Wall” became the newest store at Eastridge on Friday, Nov. 9, for their 2-hour only soft opening. Before the store was opened for the very first time, excitement of the store was shown through the gathering of store guests outside of Vans Eastridge, lo-cated at Upper Le-vel Center Court in the shopping center.

Vans “Off The Wall”

The store features the newest store prototype of the Vans brand, and carries trendy Vans shoes, apparel, and accessories from toddler to adult sizes. “Slip on range shoes is one of our shoppers’ favorites,” says Alice Snyder, Marketing Manager at Eastridge. “The addition of Vans shows Eastridge’s commitment to give our guests what they want when they want it. We see increase interests of skateparks in San Jose and Vans offers performance and enduring gears for this active community.”

Vans was founded in 1966 in Southern California by Paul Van Doren. Originally the store was known by the name Van Doren Rubber Company. The company went public in 1991 after the investment banker McCown DeLeeuw Company bought Vans. In 2004 Vans was acquired by VF Corporation, and extended the brand with the Vans Warped Tour and association with skate, rock, and hip hop groups.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, at 4 p.m., one of Vans’ legendary pro skateboarders Steve Caballero will be at Vans Eastridge for an autograph signing. Caballero has been skating for Vans since the 1980’s and is awarded legend and major innovator in the skate world. For more information on Caballero, visit www.stevecaballero.com.

On Dec. 8 and 9, Vans will be hosting a Friends & Family Discount of 30 percent off all Vans merchandise. Visit www.eastridgecenter.com nearing the date for a coupon to quality for the discount. A DJ will be at the store for the festivity from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Eastridge to host Domino Magazine’s ‘Festival of Giving’ presented by San Jose Magazine

Domino Magazine: the guide to living with style, along with local San Jose Magazine, will serve as partners at Eastridge’s second annual charity shopping night. Domino’s Festival of Giving is slated for Sunday, Nov. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $5 each and are on sale now at more than 40 local schools such as Carolyn Clark Elementary, K. R. Smith Elementary, James Lick High School, East Side Union High School District Child Development Program and non-profit organizations including Santa Clara Family Health Plan, the PARTI Program, The Filipino Youth Collision, Catholic Charity, A Single Light, and Ti City Assembly of God in San Jose, as well as the Mall’s Customer Service Center at Lower Level Center Court.

The annual event helps raise money for local schools’ non-profit organizations. During the first event held in 2006, Eastridge helped raised over $12,000 for the San Jose community. Participating charities retain 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales.

“Festival of Giving captures the spirit of the holiday season and demonstrates how Eastridge is a strong community leader. It benefits not only local charities, but our shoppers, retailers and partners as well,” said John Petersen, Eastridge’s general manager.

Ticket holders will check in on Sunday, Nov. 18, starting at 6 p.m. at Lower Level Center Court, near Starbucks, for a blue wristband, which will entitle them to receive an event program listing over 40 special offers from Eastridge retailers and valid only during the event. The first 250 guests who check in will receive a special holiday gift bag with an Eastridge coffee mug, November issue of San Jose Magazine, Thanksgiving Side Dishes Recipes from Domino Magazine and retailer coupons.

A special silent auction will also be held, and all proceeds go to benefit Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley to work in partnership with low income families to build affordable, decent housing in Santa Clara County. Auction items include DKNY Be Delicious and Tommy Girl gift baskets, donated by Macy’s Fragrance; Movie-goer snack pack with four AMC movie tickets; Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer stuffed animal with sound and light along with 2 full-length DVDs and more. Guests also will have a chance to purchase a reusable and environmentally friendly Habitat bag for only $2, and/or donate toward the Habitat Giving Tree near Customer Service in $5, $10, $25, $50, or $100 denominations.

San Jose native music artist JJ Heller will be traveling from Nashville, Tennessee for a live performance from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at lower level center court. "Music has a way of speaking to my heart like nothing else can," JJ says. "It is my hope and prayer that my songs will somehow speak to my listeners and bring them hope, peace and inspiration."