Crossroads Specialty Foods to Open in CV
After many months of waiting, Crossroads Specialty Foods is opening its new store at the corner of Castro Valley Boulevard and Center Street. As its name suggests, it will carry specialty items, many of which can't be found anywhere else in the East Bay. A soft opening is planned for April 1.
"We were located in Hayward for over 26 years, and the building was sold two years ago," says the store's co-owner David Jordan.
"We were happy to find a location like this one, in Castro Valley near Highway 580 and the Tri-Valley area," Jordan said. "Unfortunately, it was during COVID, so it took a long time for our plans and permits to be approved by the county. We had no idea it would take this long. Now everything is approved, and our final shipments are coming in from Europe."
According to Crossroads Specialty Foods' founder Hani Haddad, David's uncle and the store's co-owner, items from 43 nationalities will be represented on its shelves.
"We have products from A to Z, with unique foods and recipes from around the world so everyone can celebrate their traditions," he says.
Jordan and Haddad say they specialize in Mediterranean and European foods, including Romanian, Polish, Greek, Portuguese, Italian, Ukrainian, German, French, and Russian. The pasta, sauces, pastries, jams, tea, fish, meat, and cheese sections are extensive. Turkish and Italian coffees and special grinders are in place. There is an international wine and beer selection as well.
"We have candy that you can only find at the airport," says David.
Haddad adds, "We hope to open for Passover, Ramadan, and Easter because we're really a treasure for these communities. We have to be unique and different because we can't compete with everyday items at Safeway. Our choices are extensive, and our quality is the best."
Crossroads Specialty Foods has a long history in our area. Haddad, who came to the US from Jordan in 1969, opened his first store on Foothill Boulevard in Hayward almost 30 years ago. He was a part-time teacher then at the College of Notre Dame. Business was good enough that he could move from that 1,500-square-foot store to a 4,000-square-foot location at 230 Jackson Street in Hayward, near the Department of Motor Vehicles office. His sales doubled in the new location.
Haddad and a business partner from Hungary then opened a similar store in Palo Alto. While taking MBA classes at Cal State Hayward in the late 1970s, Haddad and his family also opened a popular falafel shop at the "Campus Corner" there.
When the building on Jackson Street was sold, Haddad sought a new Crossroads location in Castro Valley. His nephew David will take on the new store, with Haddad sharing his knowledge of products and suppliers.
"He's family, and I want him to succeed," says Haddad, who will lend his product expertise to Jordan while the new location becomes established.
"I deliver to my nephew the successful business of the last 28 years, with unconditional love and support for his success in the future," says Haddad. "We're not just passing through. We're the ‘new old kid' on the block. I have a feeling it's going to be even better in Castro Valley than Hayward."
Crossroads Specialty foods is at 3300 E. Castro Valley Blvd., Suite B, (510) 582-2231. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Website is crossroadsspecialtyfood.com