As I was driving down Stevens Creek Blvd. after soccer practice to go to the Cupertino Library, I noticed a brand new building replacing Vivi’s, a local restaurant that went out of business last year. I looked closer at the sign written on the building: Starbucks. I think to myself, Another one? How many is that now? Wasn’t another one built next to Highway 85? Across the street from the upcoming Starbucks, there was another big red “Coming Soon!” sign hanging from a place, once called Monta Vista Farmers Market, from where I used to buy my fruits and vegetables. It’s not a farmer’s market anymore. Now, it’s a Pizza Hut.
Renovations like these in Cupertino aren’t new to me. Several months ago, Coffee Society, a coffee shop that I frequently went to with my friends to study and hang out, closed. Another Starbucks located at the intersection between Stevens Creek Blvd. and De Anza Ave. took over its neighbor, Noah’s Bagels, to renovate their whole shop.
Personally, I think it’s great for the community of Cupertino to have all these renovations that implement a more modernized style to the city. As various hotspots are being constructed around the city, more people are becoming more attracted to the city, which is quite fulfilling to see as a Cupertino resident — the traffic in Cupertino is getting more congested, but it’s manageable. From the current growth of city, I can foresee that the changes in this city are going to be monumental and I’m excited about what the future holds for Cupertino 20 years from now.
Yet, bringing changes also means replacing the old with the new and that is exactly what’s happening to places like Monta Vista Farmers Market, Vivi’s, and Coffee Society. Even though I know replacing these places are for the good of the city, it’s hard to say goodbye to places that have given me so many memories over the last eight years. From mother and son bonding in Farmers Market to late night hangouts in Coffee Society, these places slowly became my foundation for Cupertino to remember. Now, they are slowly dissipating away from me as I find myself void of all the connections I made with my city. Cupertino is quickly evolving and my biggest fear is that when I come back to Cupertino after leaving for a long time, I won’t be able to recognize the city I once knew. It’s not going to be Cupertino that I once knew.
I don’t know, maybe I’m acting too selfish on this matter. In the end, it really doesn’t matter what I think. Cupertino will keep growing and I just have to accept it. Cupertino will always have a special place in my heart, no matter how much Cupertino changes. I hope that the new generation can make many unforgettable memories like the ones I made.
