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JCPenney slates Stoneridge closure
Danville-based owners tease new tenant coming in 2026
When Santa comes down the chimney in a couple of weeks, a San Ramon institution will be no more.
The Brass Door, a fixture on San Ramon Valley Blvd. for nearly 80 years, will serve its final meal Christmas Eve.
The website notes that it opened in 1946 as the 8/5 club in honor of Howard “Shorty” Schlesinger’s favorite track odds. It was a 6-stool bar with seating for 20 people.
It hit a different stride when Schlesinger’s son Mick and Dick Basso took over in 1955 and renamed it “The Brass Door.” It became a gathering place for the San Ramon Valley and grew to more than 200 seats over the decades thanks to several remodels and one nasty fire. It was known for its excellent steaks and prime rib as well as a variety of pasta and salads.
Sunset Development Co. founder Masud Mehran was a regular for lunch at his favorite table as were city of San Ramon leaders and those doing business with the city. I’ve eaten many meals there over the years, some in the bar and others in the dining room. The Danville Rotary Club met there for years and I would head there when I needed a Monday makeup meeting.
My late friend, Judge Hugh Walker, being a good rancher almost always ate a steak sandwich for lunch with his favorite libation. The Brass Door—and when it existed, the Dublin Ranch, were destinations of choice undoubtedly based on the quality of the meat.
Danny Basso was the key to its longevity, maintaining a warm atmosphere with quality food over decades. He sold a few years ago and the current owners who announced the closing. They reported in the Pleasanton Weekly that they could not secure a lease going forward with the hope they may relocate and re-open.
Look for a new anchor tenant at Stoneridge Shopping Center after JCPenney could not reach a lease agreement with 300 Venture Group out of Danville that bought the site in 2022. Stories reporting the pending closure (February next year although the closing signs already are up at the site) indicated that the owners expected a major announcement soon.
When the group purchased the site, JCPenney already was in trouble financially. The Simon Group partnered with another major mall owner, Brookfield, to save the brand in their many mall locations.
The 300 Venture Group bought the Penney parcel as its second acquisition. The press releases and news stories noted how desirable the location is. With the demise of the JCPenney store, Stoneridge, that once boasted five major department stores (Emporium, Sears, Nordstrom, JCPenney and Macys) now is down to just Macys as shifting consumer habits and the convenience of online take its toll.
