There are always so many rumors about stores going out and coming into Burlingame and I am glad Patricia Love can give us the real information!

Stores, restaurants coming to Burlingame (By Christine Morente, San Mateo County Times)
BURLINGAME A major clothing manufacturer famous for its "Made in America" basic Ts, striped knee-high socks and leotards has set its claim on an empty Burlingame Avenue storefront.
American Apparel is expected to move into the former Burlingame Stationers space in November. The ethical and environmentally conscious label is one of few newbies slated to do business in the already fashionable and trendy area.
A date hasn't been determined for American Apparel's grand opening at 1320 Burlingame Ave. "It's pretty prime," said Elliott Abrams, an architect from Abrams-Millikan in Berkeley. "American Apparel's demographics are fairly young. And Burlingame Avenue has a lot of good quality tenants." At 4,500-square-feet, the future store will be one the company's larger locations.
The Los Angeles-based company has six existing stores in Northern California, while five more including Burlingame are coming soon. Abrams said the company is looking at a lease in downtown Walnut Creek. "They are expanding aggressively, even given this economy," he said.
Fashion designer Trina Turk is also expected to open a boutique on Burlingame Avenue in late February or early March. Construction is expected to begin inside the former Bombay Company at 1223 Burlingame Ave., said Catherine Johnson, project designer for Bester Architecture. The store front is expected to be spruced up early next year. Johnson said Turk likes the area's pedestrian atmosphere and the artistic boutiques.
Patricia Love, the city's economic development specialist, said Burlingame Avenue continues to be a destination area for businesses like American Apparel and Trina Turk. "They see it as an exciting and dynamic place to be," Love said. "It is still an extremely strong and attractive place to shop between Palo Alto and San Francisco."
Meanwhile, Howard Avenue is also expected to see a surge of foot traffic. Perry's, a popular San Francisco restaurant, is expected to open at the former General Appliance on 1333 Howard Ave., while Harmony Frozen Yogurt has plans to settle at the former House of Coffee at 1243 Howard Ave.
Love said she hopes the area's smaller merchants can weather the next few months during this tough economic period. "They make for a nice mix," she said.

– Written by Fiona