If we’re going to have a chain store in that location I would much rather see either a Walgreens for those of us who “won’t step foot in the CVS” , or a store like Marshals or TJ MAXX that sells home wares, and practical, affordable goods like kids clothes and socks and underwear. As much as I like Grossout, we have enough grocery stores in town.
CVS used to be up in the shopping center where Luckys is on the north end of town. It was super convenient for west county folks compared to the traffic mess at hwy 12 and 116 and Rite Aid was already down town. The community and the city tried for years to get CVS to understand that this move was a bad idea which resulted in an expensive lawsuit and now, 2 struggling shopping centers. CVS owns that building next to Luckys and it’s my understanding that the reason it hasn’t been filled with a different store is because of the jacked up price they want for it. Feels vindictive so I refuse to go in their store.
I think the grocery outlet would be a balloon to our community: from the coast throughout West County. Other than Luckys, which is pretty bleak in my opinion, every other grocery store is overpriced frankly that encourages me to go to grocery outlet in Santa Rosa. I usually stop at Imwallie’s on the way home because their produce is much fresher and affordable than Andy’s. I had shopped it Fircrest for decades and the only advantage now are the wider aisles. Their prices are so high. I have always hoped for a Trader Joe’s here, but I feel that grocery outlet is a really good choice a couple of years ago, the day before Thanksgiving, there were volunteers from Redwood credit union at grocery outlet in Santa Rosa, helping to pay for buyers groceries. I think that’s the kind of spirit that makes a difference for well-being and generosity. Barbara A Harris.
Never patronize CVS. The building...outside and inside.... is hideous. It looks like a prison. It's totally out of character with the rest of downtown. And they sued the city (taxpayers) for $300K for trying to deny them a permit. Once chain stores go into the central business core of a small, 'charming' town, there goes the charm....and the reason tourists and locals love the town. I'll pay a little. more and continue to patronize only LOCAL grocery stores if Grocery Outlet muscles its way into town. Fircrest, Andy's, Fiesta, Community Market help make this town what it is.
How about a fabric store or another drug store , shoe store, an outlet for people to sell their crafts and art work like the one in Montgomery Village., Old fashioned 5 & 10
There are two variables in play: 1) stay afloat (pay rent, pay employees, etc.); 2) meaningfully contribute to a local tax revenue. I think something like Grocery Outlet has a better shot at both compared to a fabric store or a crafts marketplace.
Also, that parking lot is NOT big enough for a grocery store - especially because its supposed to be a shared public parking zone! Everyones always complaining about traffic and parking downtown - imagine the mess a huge grocery store will cause.
Can you solve it? A town of 7K already has 7 grocery stores - how many more grocery stores do they need?
I heard the Senior Center was looking into moving into that building as they need the space - what happened to that? We don't need more big corporate businesses taking valuable space in our communities. I'm sure the footprint and rent of that space excludes all *but* the big corps though. That CVS is a blight and an eyesore and the restriction on formula businesses is a good thing!
I patronize the independents! Sure don't see the need for yet another grocery store and definitely not a Grocery Outlet! What an eyesore it would be in that location. While not likely to be financially feasible, since the Senior Center needs a larger home, this would be a great location for it!
With all the fine grocery stores in town, why another? Aren't Lucky and Andy's already discount? Replacing Whole Foods would be a good idea. Interesting to see a rich guy from LA owns the old Rite Aid lot where they now have paid parking.
If we’re going to have a chain store in that location I would much rather see either a Walgreens for those of us who “won’t step foot in the CVS” , or a store like Marshals or TJ MAXX that sells home wares, and practical, affordable goods like kids clothes and socks and underwear. As much as I like Grossout, we have enough grocery stores in town.
Why wouldn’t you step food in CVS?
*foot
CVS used to be up in the shopping center where Luckys is on the north end of town. It was super convenient for west county folks compared to the traffic mess at hwy 12 and 116 and Rite Aid was already down town. The community and the city tried for years to get CVS to understand that this move was a bad idea which resulted in an expensive lawsuit and now, 2 struggling shopping centers. CVS owns that building next to Luckys and it’s my understanding that the reason it hasn’t been filled with a different store is because of the jacked up price they want for it. Feels vindictive so I refuse to go in their store.
Appreciating these comments. There's also quite an active discussion of this item on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sebastopoltimes/
I think the grocery outlet would be a balloon to our community: from the coast throughout West County. Other than Luckys, which is pretty bleak in my opinion, every other grocery store is overpriced frankly that encourages me to go to grocery outlet in Santa Rosa. I usually stop at Imwallie’s on the way home because their produce is much fresher and affordable than Andy’s. I had shopped it Fircrest for decades and the only advantage now are the wider aisles. Their prices are so high. I have always hoped for a Trader Joe’s here, but I feel that grocery outlet is a really good choice a couple of years ago, the day before Thanksgiving, there were volunteers from Redwood credit union at grocery outlet in Santa Rosa, helping to pay for buyers groceries. I think that’s the kind of spirit that makes a difference for well-being and generosity. Barbara A Harris.
Never patronize CVS. The building...outside and inside.... is hideous. It looks like a prison. It's totally out of character with the rest of downtown. And they sued the city (taxpayers) for $300K for trying to deny them a permit. Once chain stores go into the central business core of a small, 'charming' town, there goes the charm....and the reason tourists and locals love the town. I'll pay a little. more and continue to patronize only LOCAL grocery stores if Grocery Outlet muscles its way into town. Fircrest, Andy's, Fiesta, Community Market help make this town what it is.
So how do we contact this gentleman Mr Schwab and let him know that we do not want a grocery outlet in Sebastopol .
Why? What do you want instead?
How about a fabric store or another drug store , shoe store, an outlet for people to sell their crafts and art work like the one in Montgomery Village., Old fashioned 5 & 10
Seriously.
Why what's wrong with these suggestions. Do you want a Grocery Outlet?
There are two variables in play: 1) stay afloat (pay rent, pay employees, etc.); 2) meaningfully contribute to a local tax revenue. I think something like Grocery Outlet has a better shot at both compared to a fabric store or a crafts marketplace.
Also, that parking lot is NOT big enough for a grocery store - especially because its supposed to be a shared public parking zone! Everyones always complaining about traffic and parking downtown - imagine the mess a huge grocery store will cause.
Can you solve it? A town of 7K already has 7 grocery stores - how many more grocery stores do they need?
I heard the Senior Center was looking into moving into that building as they need the space - what happened to that? We don't need more big corporate businesses taking valuable space in our communities. I'm sure the footprint and rent of that space excludes all *but* the big corps though. That CVS is a blight and an eyesore and the restriction on formula businesses is a good thing!
I patronize the independents! Sure don't see the need for yet another grocery store and definitely not a Grocery Outlet! What an eyesore it would be in that location. While not likely to be financially feasible, since the Senior Center needs a larger home, this would be a great location for it!
With all the fine grocery stores in town, why another? Aren't Lucky and Andy's already discount? Replacing Whole Foods would be a good idea. Interesting to see a rich guy from LA owns the old Rite Aid lot where they now have paid parking.
Replacing Whole Foods with what? Also, Andy’s is not a discount by any measures.
The reality of ”buy local” but where the owner isn’t, and our money leaves town.