Since our last post in July, we’ve been compiling the latest information about Emeryville’s retail scene. These include a second escape room, upcoming Planet Fitness updates, the grand opening of the MINISO store, a seasonal pop-up on Bay Street, and more.
Coming soon: Red Door Escape Room
Emeryville will soon have a second escape room, joining Trivium Games on San Pablo Avenue.
In early August, it was announced that Red Door Escape Room would open in the former Arts Africains space at 5695 Bay St., next door to Mom Hotpot.
Red Door has stores in eight states, including California. Bay Street owner CenterCal Properties also has a Red Door escape room at its Concord shopping center, The Verandah.
Escape rooms have exploded in popularity in recent years, making them popular for corporate team-building events, birthday parties, family outings, and more. Escape Room creates an immersive environment in which groups are challenged to solve difficult puzzles using hidden clues to escape from a series of rooms within a 60-minute time limit.
Scheduled to open by the end of the year, the addition of the escape room should help enhance Bay Street’s entertainment options along with the AMC 16 Theater, Tipsy Putt, and Sandbox VR.
OPEN: Spirit Halloween Pop-up
It’s not a question of where Spirit Halloween will set up shop on Bay Street during the Halloween season. This year it will be held in the former Express Clothing space at 5680 Bay Street.
Express closed in April as part of 100 store closures announced after filing for bankruptcy. The sale to WHP Global was approved in June.
Spirit’s unique business model allows the store to be open for approximately six weeks, from mid-September through Halloween. By November 1st they will be gone without a trace.
Spirit has a widespread reputation of being a “bottom business” due to its reliance on shuttered businesses, and ICYMI and SNL captured this perfectly in a skit in the 50th season premiere. 🤣
Business hours: MINISO China Retail Store
First announced in April, Bay Street MINISO had its grand opening on September 10th.
MINISO is a Chinese-owned general merchandise store that sells products “inspired” by Japanese design.
Often accused of being a copycat of Muji and Uniqlo, they specialize in household and consumer products such as cosmetics, stationery, toys, fashion accessories, kitchenware, and food and beverages. We also sell popular Sanrio Hello Kitty products.
It’s located next to LoveSac at 5653 Bay Street.
Update: Planet Fitness Gym
As previously reported, the former CVS on San Pablo Avenue is slated to become Planet Fitness. The change of use required city approval because the operating permit called for expanded hours. This updated permit was provided in late 2023.
It was originally expected to open by the end of 2024, but nearby workers we spoke to were unaware of any construction that would jeopardize this opening goal.
“Unfortunately, there have been delays in obtaining permits from the Alameda County Health Department,” Emeryville City Planning Department staff said, citing unspecified “environmental issues” at the site.
We have reached out to our PF corporate representatives and ACH PIO for updates and will update this post as we receive new information.
Updated 10/3 2:00 p.m.: “We can confirm that the Emeryville club is scheduled to open in spring 2025,” Planet Fitness’ PR agency responded to our inquiry. “Please note that this is an estimated time until opening. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as construction delays, we may open earlier than planned, but opening may also be delayed.”
Community members can sign up to receive exclusive updates and offers at planetfitness.com/gyms/emeryville-ca/offers.
Under construction: Foot Locker
Foot Locker appears to have decided to stay on Bay Street, with construction underway on a “permanent” space at 5652 Bay Street (formerly Athleta).
It originally opened in 2020 as something called a “seasonal pop-up.”
The location will remain open during construction and is expected to be completed by the busy holiday season.
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