Business & Tech

Updated: Arnold Schwarzenegger Visits Los Gatos!

Famous Austrian-born professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician shops and dines in downtown, stopping by Bella Rosa Boutique on North Santa Cruz Avenue.

Update: 4:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 24: Los Gatos Patch reader Stacie Wilson reports having had her photo taken with former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this morning outside

Wilson was courteous enough to share the pic snapped on North Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Los Gatos of the famous movie star and former politician to publish on our Patch site.

Wilson said she and friend Danielle Cleveland had come to the popular breakfast spot after working out at  when they saw Schwarzenegger in the cafe, eating breakfast.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

"Had we known The Governator was in town we would've put something cuter on! We walked into the restaurant and there he was, sitting at the very first table on the right (behind the sign in sheet)," Wilson wrote in an email.

"He was seated closest to the aisle, facing the door with an entourage of about four to five people. He was finishing up breakfast as we waited for a table, and we worked up the courage to talk to him. And when he got up to leave we asked if we could take a photo with him. He was very nice about it and said, 'Sure, outside.' Pretty cool."

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oh, my! Guess who stopped by and shopped at Thursday afternoon?

The one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger ... yes, that's right, the former governor of California who's trying to revamp his acting career, and stars in the new summer movie The Expendables 2.

According to Bella Rosa Boutique owner Deborah Rutlen, the Austrian-born former professional bodybuilder was visiting friends in Los Gatos this weekend and came to the store after having lunch at

"He and some of his friends did a little shopping and spent a little time at the store and was gracious enough to let us take a picture with him," Rutlen exclaimed.

The "governator," as he's endearingly called, "looked in great shape," added Rutlen. An entourage of about six friends accompanied the famed Hollywood star, she said.

"He came in. We realized who he was and he was talking and commenting on the store saying how beautiful it was. He was just sitting there and talking to his fans ... we said, 'We can't let you go without getting our photo taken with you,' and he said, 'No problem, on the way out.' "

Rutlen and several of her employees posed for a photo with Schwarzenegger including Bita Dabir, store manager Gina Barsanti and Christina Secchi.

This was not the first time the women's clothing store, 145 No. Santa Cruz Ave., has been visited by a celebrity. Debbie Gibson, Anne Heche and others have also shopped there, according to Rutlen.

Is Schwarzenegger still in town? Well ... "Maybe," said Rutlen without revealing who the star was with, or what specifically he purchased.

Bella Rosa Boutique has been owned by Rutlen for eight years, since 2004.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here