Clayton’s historic downtown has evolved over the years as the city, property owners, businesspeople and residents try to maintain a small town flavor while meeting the needs of contemporary life and commerce.

No building is more representative of this evolution than the Village Market adjacent to The Grove park. For long-time residents, the “little store” or “the blue store” says small town. Since it reopened in January 2008 after being closed for four years following a fire, the shiny new building with an international deli in the rear has personified 21st century Clayton.

Now, this city landmark sports white banners with large red, blue and yellow type on the front and rear facades blaring “Business Available, For Lease/Sale.”

The Sandhu family has owned the building and operated the business for nearly two decades, since they purchased it from Don and Carmen Williams, who still live in Clayton. Sam and Balwinder Sandhu began operating the market in 1991 and son Johnny was immediately made chief stock boy while attending Pine Hollow Middle School.

Too many long hours.

The signs intentionally are broad in the message since the Sandhus are willing to listen to offers for either the Village Market on Main Street or Johnny’s International Deli business on Center Street or a purchase of the property including the businesses.

“We’d like to keep our ties to the community, so we’re not looking to sell everything,” Johnny Sandhu says. “I’m working 12-14 hours a day between the market and deli,” he adds. “I got married two years ago and my wife, Amarinder, would like to start a family so we’re looking for a deal that will allow us to cut down on our work time.”

Sandhu also has a real estate business in San Ramon. Sam Sandhu has been dealing with diabetes and the family doesn’t want him to work as much.

Low-key solicitation.

The Sandhus have not listed the real estate or the two businesses with the multiple listing service or LoopNet.com, which would make their availability known to a wider audience. “We put up the banners to gauge interest,” the younger Sandhu explains. “We’ve received many inquires, but most people are looking for us to carry a loan. The businesses are both making money, so we’re not looking to simply turn them over to someone else.”

He adds that they might be listed by the end of this month. “If someone wants to buy one of the businesses, they will purchase the fixtures, inventory and goodwill,” he notes.

Even though the businesses share the same floor of the building and there is a hallway connecting them, they can be run as completely separate entities. The market is open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, while the deli operates 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Concert series draws customers.

The Grove, which opened in January 2008, has help offset the loss of business the market suffered from the earlier establishment of the Long’s Drugs (now CVS) store a few blocks away.

“Anything that brings foot traffic downtown helps us and all the merchants around here,” Johnny Sandhu says.

Both father and son smile when queried about the impact the 10 Saturday evening concerts have on business. “The concerts are the icing on the cake.”

City Councilman Howard Geller, who started and oversees the concerts, and Councilwoman Julie Pierce have been polling attendees about the Saturday musical performers and the habits of concertgoers concerning dining, buying or bringing food and beverages to the concerts.

“We don’t have official tabulations, but many respondents say they go the market or deli before, during or after the concerts,” Geller says.

The market was closed due to a Jan. 15, 2004, fire which caused extensive damage. The family then had a protracted dispute with Farmers Insurance, delaying settlement for more than three years. Reconstruction and reopening wasn’t complete until Jan. 27, 2008, two weeks after The Grove opened. The International Deli swung open its doors July 4, 2009. The building also has a couple unoccupied office suites upstairs for lease.

Johnny Sandhu estimates that almost two-thirds of his deli business is takeout. “The 3-8 p.m. timeframe is when people are downtown to eat. We also offer Indian food, so we have our niche between the other deli (Canesa’s Brooklyn Deli), Skip’s, Moresi’s Chophouse, La Veranda and Ed’s Mudville Grill.”

For more information about the businesses or building, call Johnny Sandhu at 567-5065.