The Trader Joe’s Conundrum for Davis

Over the weekend the Davis Enterprise reported that the deal between Trader Joe’s and Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) had fallen apart. The deal was in place whereby RAS would vacate their current premises in the University Mall so that Trader Joe’s could occupy that spot.

Now those negotiations have fallen apart.

According to the Enterprise:

‘It’s not going to happen,’ said RAS attorney Steve Boutin. ‘We’ve been working hard to make this a win-win for the city. There’s not much for us to respond to, because they’ve (Centro) just said no. What we’re going to do is urge them to give this another thought, sign the agreement we’ve all negotiated.’

Boutin said that he, RAS representatives, Centro representatives and Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson sat down together in October and hammered out a deal that everyone agreed on.

But last week, Boutin received an e-mail from Centro that said the deal was off.

‘We got a letter out of the blue in which we got cold-cocked by Centro,’ Boutin said. ‘They very simply said the deal was no longer feasible. They didn’t provide reasons or specifics, other than to say they were afraid of overriding market conditions.’

Part of the problem according to the article is that Centro may be having difficulty getting financing given the economy.

But this is only the beginning of the story.

The excerpt from the article quoted above indicates that RAS representatives, Centro representatives, and the Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson met together in October to hammer out a deal. However, according to the Vanguard’s sources, the city council never authorized the Mayor do this or even was informed that the Mayor would be doing this. The issue was never discussed at the council and the council never authorized any sort of negotiations.

Meanwhile the organization, DANG! (Davis Advocates for Neighborhood Groceries) is not happy either.

On November 19, 2008, they sent a letter to the Davis City Council and City Manager Bill Emlen.

“We have watched with great interest the reports that Trader Joe’s may locate at University Mall, provided that Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) relocates to a location in West Davis. Further, we hear that the City of Davis is playing a role in facilitating this transaction possibly through providing various financial incentives to any or all of the four parties.

This alarming turn of events, if true, causes us great concern because it would mean that the city is assisting a very successful international corporation to locate in a part of town that is not in need of economic assistance. On the other hand, our distressed
shopping center in West Davis –which is in dire need of help from the city –continues to be ignored.

If incentives are being provided, we request that you state specifically what assistance, if any, the city is providing to facilitate the Trader Joe’s / University Mall / RAS transaction. And if the city is indeed helping, we further state that the city should provide a comparable level of support to DANG’s efforts to secure a market tenant in West Davis. As we are striving to find a neighborhood market tenant we’d like to add those possible city actions to our list of incentives for them to open up in Westlake Plaza.”

Community Development Director Katherine Hess told the Vanguard that there is no financial arrangement with Trader Joe’s. However, she later clarified that point understanding that the incentives that DANG refers to in their letter are a reduction in parking requirements. She suggested that the city would be open to doing the same at Westlake if that would make a difference.

However, this misses the point. According to the traffic and parking analysis, the building of Trader Joe’s would require a larger number of parking spaces at the University Mall in order to accommodate the increased amount of customers using the facility. However, the expansion of the facility to accommodate Trader Joe’s will actually result in a reduced number of parking spaces available. The city is not requiring Trader Joe’s or the University Mall to provide for those additional spaces. Instead they are arguing that the parking lot is under utilized at it stands now and that they would simply increase the enforcement against people using the lot who live in adjacent apartment buildings.

My experience in that lot has been that they do enforce those laws. At various points in time when I used the RAK on campus and tried to park at the University Mall parking lot I found a notice on my car warning me that I could be towed if I did similarly in the future.

Moreover, parking is not an issue at Westlake. The parking lot there is underutilized. A new grocery store moving into that location would not need additional parking nor face that parking requirement. Therefore, DANG! has a point that Trader Joe’s has gotten a financial incentive to move into the only location in town in which they were willing to move. The University Mall is currently occupied and bustling. The same is not true for either Westlake which has been without a grocery store anchor since May of 2006. East Davis Manor has similarly been without an anchor. The city has bent over backwards to accommodate Trader Joe’s and get them to come into an already occupied location. Meanwhile, what has the city done to help Westlake?

Contrary to suggestions, Westlake right now stands a very good chance of finding a grocery store that would be willing to come into that location. The city needs to, especially given the current economic climate, prioritize bringing in businesses to existing vacant spots. Yet the city has to this point done very little to induce new grocers to occupy this empty spot that threatens the rest of the shopping center.

As I have mentioned many times, I have never believed the University Mall is a good fit for Trader Joe’s, even without the issue of RAS. The lot there is too small to accommodate the number of cars. During the winter months, the birds are problematic with their excessive numbers and droppings. Finally, the area of Russell Blvd between Anderson and Sycamore is one of the most congested in Davis. You have one of the two major east-west arterials linking up with a major north-south connector. You have the university traffic coming into town and going onto the west side of campus. You have the major bike traffic from Sycamore. Now you want to put a market that is going to attract a huge number of customers from across the city to a location that is already congested? It doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Trader Joe’s has taken an arrogant position that they will only move into that location. That also doesn’t make a lot of sense. They seem not to understand that Davis residents would go to wherever the Trader Joe’s was located. In fact, given traffic congestion at that location, it may do better in other places.

Despite the bleak tone of the article in the Enterprise, it still seems likely that some deal will eventually be reached, but the economic situation is one well worth watching as Davis looks to find other business and commercial suitors in the next few years.

—David M. Greenwald reporting

Author

  • David Greenwald

    Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

    View all posts

Categories:

Land Use/Open Space

204 comments

  1. Can someone or “someones” (I know it’s not a word) on the city council have some cajones and be firmer with Trader Joe’s about locating in an existing and available location?

    West Davis would be a good location and people from all over Davis would walk, drive or ride their bikes over. Many already drive to Sacramento or Fairfield to shop at Trader Joe’s. Wake up and smell the fair trade coffee.

  2. Can someone or “someones” (I know it’s not a word) on the city council have some cajones and be firmer with Trader Joe’s about locating in an existing and available location?

    West Davis would be a good location and people from all over Davis would walk, drive or ride their bikes over. Many already drive to Sacramento or Fairfield to shop at Trader Joe’s. Wake up and smell the fair trade coffee.

  3. Can someone or “someones” (I know it’s not a word) on the city council have some cajones and be firmer with Trader Joe’s about locating in an existing and available location?

    West Davis would be a good location and people from all over Davis would walk, drive or ride their bikes over. Many already drive to Sacramento or Fairfield to shop at Trader Joe’s. Wake up and smell the fair trade coffee.

  4. Can someone or “someones” (I know it’s not a word) on the city council have some cajones and be firmer with Trader Joe’s about locating in an existing and available location?

    West Davis would be a good location and people from all over Davis would walk, drive or ride their bikes over. Many already drive to Sacramento or Fairfield to shop at Trader Joe’s. Wake up and smell the fair trade coffee.

  5. “Finally, the area of Russell Blvd between Anderson and Sycamore is one of the most congested in Davis. You have one of the two major east-west arterials linking up with a major north-south connector. You have the university traffic coming into town and going onto the west side of campus. You have the major bike traffic from Sycamore. Now you want to put a market that is going to attract a huge number of customers from across the city to a location that is already congested? It doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

    Sounds like a very successful location , nice and green with all that foot and bicycle traffic ,they don’t need car traffic…

  6. “Finally, the area of Russell Blvd between Anderson and Sycamore is one of the most congested in Davis. You have one of the two major east-west arterials linking up with a major north-south connector. You have the university traffic coming into town and going onto the west side of campus. You have the major bike traffic from Sycamore. Now you want to put a market that is going to attract a huge number of customers from across the city to a location that is already congested? It doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

    Sounds like a very successful location , nice and green with all that foot and bicycle traffic ,they don’t need car traffic…

  7. “Finally, the area of Russell Blvd between Anderson and Sycamore is one of the most congested in Davis. You have one of the two major east-west arterials linking up with a major north-south connector. You have the university traffic coming into town and going onto the west side of campus. You have the major bike traffic from Sycamore. Now you want to put a market that is going to attract a huge number of customers from across the city to a location that is already congested? It doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

    Sounds like a very successful location , nice and green with all that foot and bicycle traffic ,they don’t need car traffic…

  8. “Finally, the area of Russell Blvd between Anderson and Sycamore is one of the most congested in Davis. You have one of the two major east-west arterials linking up with a major north-south connector. You have the university traffic coming into town and going onto the west side of campus. You have the major bike traffic from Sycamore. Now you want to put a market that is going to attract a huge number of customers from across the city to a location that is already congested? It doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

    Sounds like a very successful location , nice and green with all that foot and bicycle traffic ,they don’t need car traffic…

  9. This whole situation makes me angry. The University Mall site is completely inappropriate for all the reasons stated by DPD. But I don’t think Trader Joe’s is really concerned with the Davis patronage. They want to be near and easily accessible from the freeway. Therefore, the Westlake site seems preferable to the East Manor site. Living where I do, I would prefer the East Manor Site, but I agree that IF the city is going to offer incentives, it should be incentives to locate in an area beneficial to the city as a whole. the idea that Trader Joe’s would be exempt from the parking requirements that were imposed on the Korean Christian Church, I wonder if they will also be exempt from the requirement for solar panels on the roof? I predict that Trader Joe’s will end up at the new Target site off of Mace and near I-80, despite the proximity of Nugget. The City Council will be so desperate at that point that Trader Joe’s will be able to set their own terms on everything. At that point we can just call them “Raider” Joe’s.

  10. This whole situation makes me angry. The University Mall site is completely inappropriate for all the reasons stated by DPD. But I don’t think Trader Joe’s is really concerned with the Davis patronage. They want to be near and easily accessible from the freeway. Therefore, the Westlake site seems preferable to the East Manor site. Living where I do, I would prefer the East Manor Site, but I agree that IF the city is going to offer incentives, it should be incentives to locate in an area beneficial to the city as a whole. the idea that Trader Joe’s would be exempt from the parking requirements that were imposed on the Korean Christian Church, I wonder if they will also be exempt from the requirement for solar panels on the roof? I predict that Trader Joe’s will end up at the new Target site off of Mace and near I-80, despite the proximity of Nugget. The City Council will be so desperate at that point that Trader Joe’s will be able to set their own terms on everything. At that point we can just call them “Raider” Joe’s.

  11. This whole situation makes me angry. The University Mall site is completely inappropriate for all the reasons stated by DPD. But I don’t think Trader Joe’s is really concerned with the Davis patronage. They want to be near and easily accessible from the freeway. Therefore, the Westlake site seems preferable to the East Manor site. Living where I do, I would prefer the East Manor Site, but I agree that IF the city is going to offer incentives, it should be incentives to locate in an area beneficial to the city as a whole. the idea that Trader Joe’s would be exempt from the parking requirements that were imposed on the Korean Christian Church, I wonder if they will also be exempt from the requirement for solar panels on the roof? I predict that Trader Joe’s will end up at the new Target site off of Mace and near I-80, despite the proximity of Nugget. The City Council will be so desperate at that point that Trader Joe’s will be able to set their own terms on everything. At that point we can just call them “Raider” Joe’s.

  12. This whole situation makes me angry. The University Mall site is completely inappropriate for all the reasons stated by DPD. But I don’t think Trader Joe’s is really concerned with the Davis patronage. They want to be near and easily accessible from the freeway. Therefore, the Westlake site seems preferable to the East Manor site. Living where I do, I would prefer the East Manor Site, but I agree that IF the city is going to offer incentives, it should be incentives to locate in an area beneficial to the city as a whole. the idea that Trader Joe’s would be exempt from the parking requirements that were imposed on the Korean Christian Church, I wonder if they will also be exempt from the requirement for solar panels on the roof? I predict that Trader Joe’s will end up at the new Target site off of Mace and near I-80, despite the proximity of Nugget. The City Council will be so desperate at that point that Trader Joe’s will be able to set their own terms on everything. At that point we can just call them “Raider” Joe’s.

  13. “Sounds like a very successful location , nice and green with all that foot and bicycle traffic ,they don’t need car traffic… “

    With all due respect, you’re being naive if you think this location isn’t going to draw a ton of traffic that it cannot accommodate.

  14. “Sounds like a very successful location , nice and green with all that foot and bicycle traffic ,they don’t need car traffic… “

    With all due respect, you’re being naive if you think this location isn’t going to draw a ton of traffic that it cannot accommodate.

  15. “Sounds like a very successful location , nice and green with all that foot and bicycle traffic ,they don’t need car traffic… “

    With all due respect, you’re being naive if you think this location isn’t going to draw a ton of traffic that it cannot accommodate.

  16. “Sounds like a very successful location , nice and green with all that foot and bicycle traffic ,they don’t need car traffic… “

    With all due respect, you’re being naive if you think this location isn’t going to draw a ton of traffic that it cannot accommodate.

  17. What a cast of villans!

    Trader joes are arrogant measure X tools

    Centro is unethical

    The City are appeasers and fools

    TJ needs to go to one of the neighborhood centers or keep their junk out of town.

  18. What a cast of villans!

    Trader joes are arrogant measure X tools

    Centro is unethical

    The City are appeasers and fools

    TJ needs to go to one of the neighborhood centers or keep their junk out of town.

  19. What a cast of villans!

    Trader joes are arrogant measure X tools

    Centro is unethical

    The City are appeasers and fools

    TJ needs to go to one of the neighborhood centers or keep their junk out of town.

  20. What a cast of villans!

    Trader joes are arrogant measure X tools

    Centro is unethical

    The City are appeasers and fools

    TJ needs to go to one of the neighborhood centers or keep their junk out of town.

  21. During the winter months, the birds are problematic with their excessive numbers and droppings.

    The poop problem will persist with or without Trader Joe’s. Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.

    “Finally, the area of Russell Blvd between Anderson and Sycamore is one of the most congested in Davis.”

    I live a half mile from Russell and Sycamore. I’ve never experienced a traffic jam, there.

    “Now you want to put a market that is going to attract a huge number of customers from across the city to a location that is already congested?”

    When Safeway and Longs* were in the U-Mall, it got triple the car traffic it gets now. Trader Joe’s will attract far fewer cars than Safeway ever did.

    Christine: “They want to be near and easily accessible from the freeway.”

    A year ago I looked up the location of various Trader Joes in California. They are almost universally not near any major freeways. That’s not their business model. The new stores tend to be in larger shopping malls.

    ——–

    * The drugstore at that site changed names many times over its first 25 years. I think the original was Pic n Pac, but I’m not completely sure…. By the way, did you know that the U-Mall, built in 1964, was the first air conditioned neighborhood shopping center west of the Mississippi?

  22. During the winter months, the birds are problematic with their excessive numbers and droppings.

    The poop problem will persist with or without Trader Joe’s. Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.

    “Finally, the area of Russell Blvd between Anderson and Sycamore is one of the most congested in Davis.”

    I live a half mile from Russell and Sycamore. I’ve never experienced a traffic jam, there.

    “Now you want to put a market that is going to attract a huge number of customers from across the city to a location that is already congested?”

    When Safeway and Longs* were in the U-Mall, it got triple the car traffic it gets now. Trader Joe’s will attract far fewer cars than Safeway ever did.

    Christine: “They want to be near and easily accessible from the freeway.”

    A year ago I looked up the location of various Trader Joes in California. They are almost universally not near any major freeways. That’s not their business model. The new stores tend to be in larger shopping malls.

    ——–

    * The drugstore at that site changed names many times over its first 25 years. I think the original was Pic n Pac, but I’m not completely sure…. By the way, did you know that the U-Mall, built in 1964, was the first air conditioned neighborhood shopping center west of the Mississippi?

  23. During the winter months, the birds are problematic with their excessive numbers and droppings.

    The poop problem will persist with or without Trader Joe’s. Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.

    “Finally, the area of Russell Blvd between Anderson and Sycamore is one of the most congested in Davis.”

    I live a half mile from Russell and Sycamore. I’ve never experienced a traffic jam, there.

    “Now you want to put a market that is going to attract a huge number of customers from across the city to a location that is already congested?”

    When Safeway and Longs* were in the U-Mall, it got triple the car traffic it gets now. Trader Joe’s will attract far fewer cars than Safeway ever did.

    Christine: “They want to be near and easily accessible from the freeway.”

    A year ago I looked up the location of various Trader Joes in California. They are almost universally not near any major freeways. That’s not their business model. The new stores tend to be in larger shopping malls.

    ——–

    * The drugstore at that site changed names many times over its first 25 years. I think the original was Pic n Pac, but I’m not completely sure…. By the way, did you know that the U-Mall, built in 1964, was the first air conditioned neighborhood shopping center west of the Mississippi?

  24. During the winter months, the birds are problematic with their excessive numbers and droppings.

    The poop problem will persist with or without Trader Joe’s. Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.

    “Finally, the area of Russell Blvd between Anderson and Sycamore is one of the most congested in Davis.”

    I live a half mile from Russell and Sycamore. I’ve never experienced a traffic jam, there.

    “Now you want to put a market that is going to attract a huge number of customers from across the city to a location that is already congested?”

    When Safeway and Longs* were in the U-Mall, it got triple the car traffic it gets now. Trader Joe’s will attract far fewer cars than Safeway ever did.

    Christine: “They want to be near and easily accessible from the freeway.”

    A year ago I looked up the location of various Trader Joes in California. They are almost universally not near any major freeways. That’s not their business model. The new stores tend to be in larger shopping malls.

    ——–

    * The drugstore at that site changed names many times over its first 25 years. I think the original was Pic n Pac, but I’m not completely sure…. By the way, did you know that the U-Mall, built in 1964, was the first air conditioned neighborhood shopping center west of the Mississippi?

  25. “The poop problem will persist with or without Trader Joe’s. Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.”

    I’m not quite following you here Rich. For example, I avoid university mall because of the poop problem. So if they want to locate a store I like there, it’s a problem for me. Right?

  26. “Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.”

    What I mean is that if RAS stays, there will be bird poop. When it was a video store, there was bird poop. If TJ’s comes, there will be bird poop. Making it a market doesn’t add to the guano. (If trees are chopped down, I guess there may be less, but I wouldn’t count on that.)

  27. “The poop problem will persist with or without Trader Joe’s. Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.”

    I’m not quite following you here Rich. For example, I avoid university mall because of the poop problem. So if they want to locate a store I like there, it’s a problem for me. Right?

  28. “Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.”

    What I mean is that if RAS stays, there will be bird poop. When it was a video store, there was bird poop. If TJ’s comes, there will be bird poop. Making it a market doesn’t add to the guano. (If trees are chopped down, I guess there may be less, but I wouldn’t count on that.)

  29. “The poop problem will persist with or without Trader Joe’s. Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.”

    I’m not quite following you here Rich. For example, I avoid university mall because of the poop problem. So if they want to locate a store I like there, it’s a problem for me. Right?

  30. “Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.”

    What I mean is that if RAS stays, there will be bird poop. When it was a video store, there was bird poop. If TJ’s comes, there will be bird poop. Making it a market doesn’t add to the guano. (If trees are chopped down, I guess there may be less, but I wouldn’t count on that.)

  31. “The poop problem will persist with or without Trader Joe’s. Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.”

    I’m not quite following you here Rich. For example, I avoid university mall because of the poop problem. So if they want to locate a store I like there, it’s a problem for me. Right?

  32. “Thus, it’s not an argument for or against that site.”

    What I mean is that if RAS stays, there will be bird poop. When it was a video store, there was bird poop. If TJ’s comes, there will be bird poop. Making it a market doesn’t add to the guano. (If trees are chopped down, I guess there may be less, but I wouldn’t count on that.)

  33. If West Davis removed the “wall” added to the West Village project, the West Davis site would be a viable alternative. The idea of sealing off Russell Blvd. was selfish but more important it made that community much less attractive for economic development.

  34. Well stated Mike and Christine. Raider Joe’s needs to fit into our city our keep the heck out.

    City Council: Please have a backbone and don’t cave to them. They will get business anywhere they locate in Davis and there will be a lot of traffic wherever they locate in Davis; therefore, don’t make University Mall more congested by placing TJ’s there. Make them locate at a current shopping center or thank them and move on.

    Please show some leadership. Out of one side of your mouths you speak “green, enviro friendly, etc.” and out of the other side you say “build, build, build…” without using current sites that we already have. Please do the right thing.

  35. If West Davis removed the “wall” added to the West Village project, the West Davis site would be a viable alternative. The idea of sealing off Russell Blvd. was selfish but more important it made that community much less attractive for economic development.

  36. Well stated Mike and Christine. Raider Joe’s needs to fit into our city our keep the heck out.

    City Council: Please have a backbone and don’t cave to them. They will get business anywhere they locate in Davis and there will be a lot of traffic wherever they locate in Davis; therefore, don’t make University Mall more congested by placing TJ’s there. Make them locate at a current shopping center or thank them and move on.

    Please show some leadership. Out of one side of your mouths you speak “green, enviro friendly, etc.” and out of the other side you say “build, build, build…” without using current sites that we already have. Please do the right thing.

  37. If West Davis removed the “wall” added to the West Village project, the West Davis site would be a viable alternative. The idea of sealing off Russell Blvd. was selfish but more important it made that community much less attractive for economic development.

  38. Well stated Mike and Christine. Raider Joe’s needs to fit into our city our keep the heck out.

    City Council: Please have a backbone and don’t cave to them. They will get business anywhere they locate in Davis and there will be a lot of traffic wherever they locate in Davis; therefore, don’t make University Mall more congested by placing TJ’s there. Make them locate at a current shopping center or thank them and move on.

    Please show some leadership. Out of one side of your mouths you speak “green, enviro friendly, etc.” and out of the other side you say “build, build, build…” without using current sites that we already have. Please do the right thing.

  39. If West Davis removed the “wall” added to the West Village project, the West Davis site would be a viable alternative. The idea of sealing off Russell Blvd. was selfish but more important it made that community much less attractive for economic development.

  40. Well stated Mike and Christine. Raider Joe’s needs to fit into our city our keep the heck out.

    City Council: Please have a backbone and don’t cave to them. They will get business anywhere they locate in Davis and there will be a lot of traffic wherever they locate in Davis; therefore, don’t make University Mall more congested by placing TJ’s there. Make them locate at a current shopping center or thank them and move on.

    Please show some leadership. Out of one side of your mouths you speak “green, enviro friendly, etc.” and out of the other side you say “build, build, build…” without using current sites that we already have. Please do the right thing.

  41. RAS representatives, Centro representatives, and the Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson met together in October to hammer out a deal. However, according to the Vanguard’s sources, the city council never authorized the Mayor do this or even was informed that the Mayor would be doing this. The issue was never discussed at the council and the council never authorized any sort of negotiations.
    What is this all about? Isn’t the mayor supposed to keep at least the other council members informed on this?

    I feel that the city council (or maybe it is just Ruth) doesn’t have the right skills/personality to persuade Trader Joe’s to be more reasonable about their location. TJ at the U-Mall is a terrible idea. That parking lot is already full all the time. TJ is taking advantage of Davis because they have the impression we are desperate for a TJ.

  42. RAS representatives, Centro representatives, and the Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson met together in October to hammer out a deal. However, according to the Vanguard’s sources, the city council never authorized the Mayor do this or even was informed that the Mayor would be doing this. The issue was never discussed at the council and the council never authorized any sort of negotiations.
    What is this all about? Isn’t the mayor supposed to keep at least the other council members informed on this?

    I feel that the city council (or maybe it is just Ruth) doesn’t have the right skills/personality to persuade Trader Joe’s to be more reasonable about their location. TJ at the U-Mall is a terrible idea. That parking lot is already full all the time. TJ is taking advantage of Davis because they have the impression we are desperate for a TJ.

  43. RAS representatives, Centro representatives, and the Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson met together in October to hammer out a deal. However, according to the Vanguard’s sources, the city council never authorized the Mayor do this or even was informed that the Mayor would be doing this. The issue was never discussed at the council and the council never authorized any sort of negotiations.
    What is this all about? Isn’t the mayor supposed to keep at least the other council members informed on this?

    I feel that the city council (or maybe it is just Ruth) doesn’t have the right skills/personality to persuade Trader Joe’s to be more reasonable about their location. TJ at the U-Mall is a terrible idea. That parking lot is already full all the time. TJ is taking advantage of Davis because they have the impression we are desperate for a TJ.

  44. RAS representatives, Centro representatives, and the Davis Mayor Ruth Asmundson met together in October to hammer out a deal. However, according to the Vanguard’s sources, the city council never authorized the Mayor do this or even was informed that the Mayor would be doing this. The issue was never discussed at the council and the council never authorized any sort of negotiations.
    What is this all about? Isn’t the mayor supposed to keep at least the other council members informed on this?

    I feel that the city council (or maybe it is just Ruth) doesn’t have the right skills/personality to persuade Trader Joe’s to be more reasonable about their location. TJ at the U-Mall is a terrible idea. That parking lot is already full all the time. TJ is taking advantage of Davis because they have the impression we are desperate for a TJ.

  45. The students living around University Mall need a grocery store.
    I agree with you. I think letting Cost Plus use that location was a huge mistake. Who even shops there? We don’t need more places to buy trinkets and overpriced furniture.

  46. The students living around University Mall need a grocery store.
    I agree with you. I think letting Cost Plus use that location was a huge mistake. Who even shops there? We don’t need more places to buy trinkets and overpriced furniture.

  47. The students living around University Mall need a grocery store.
    I agree with you. I think letting Cost Plus use that location was a huge mistake. Who even shops there? We don’t need more places to buy trinkets and overpriced furniture.

  48. The students living around University Mall need a grocery store.
    I agree with you. I think letting Cost Plus use that location was a huge mistake. Who even shops there? We don’t need more places to buy trinkets and overpriced furniture.

  49. Why not put in an exit ramp from I-80 to Pole Line Road…if Trader Joe’s located to Davis Manor, then there’d be quick and easy freeway access for them.

  50. Why not put in an exit ramp from I-80 to Pole Line Road…if Trader Joe’s located to Davis Manor, then there’d be quick and easy freeway access for them.

  51. Why not put in an exit ramp from I-80 to Pole Line Road…if Trader Joe’s located to Davis Manor, then there’d be quick and easy freeway access for them.

  52. Why not put in an exit ramp from I-80 to Pole Line Road…if Trader Joe’s located to Davis Manor, then there’d be quick and easy freeway access for them.

  53. Sometimes it’s not all about Davis!

    http://tinyurl.com/5eyu32
    From Bloomberg: Centro Properties Continues Debt Talks as Receivership Looms

    There was an opportunity but it’s now gone. This is too bad as the city really needs the cash infusion from fees and sales tax now.

    Maybe TJ’s will move on to a better location or not but Davisites need to be aware of the financial wind storm that is out there right now. It’s coming here no matter how much Davis tries to insulate it’s self.

    Merely being the city of Davis and wishing no longer makes anything so.

  54. Sometimes it’s not all about Davis!

    http://tinyurl.com/5eyu32
    From Bloomberg: Centro Properties Continues Debt Talks as Receivership Looms

    There was an opportunity but it’s now gone. This is too bad as the city really needs the cash infusion from fees and sales tax now.

    Maybe TJ’s will move on to a better location or not but Davisites need to be aware of the financial wind storm that is out there right now. It’s coming here no matter how much Davis tries to insulate it’s self.

    Merely being the city of Davis and wishing no longer makes anything so.

  55. Sometimes it’s not all about Davis!

    http://tinyurl.com/5eyu32
    From Bloomberg: Centro Properties Continues Debt Talks as Receivership Looms

    There was an opportunity but it’s now gone. This is too bad as the city really needs the cash infusion from fees and sales tax now.

    Maybe TJ’s will move on to a better location or not but Davisites need to be aware of the financial wind storm that is out there right now. It’s coming here no matter how much Davis tries to insulate it’s self.

    Merely being the city of Davis and wishing no longer makes anything so.

  56. Sometimes it’s not all about Davis!

    http://tinyurl.com/5eyu32
    From Bloomberg: Centro Properties Continues Debt Talks as Receivership Looms

    There was an opportunity but it’s now gone. This is too bad as the city really needs the cash infusion from fees and sales tax now.

    Maybe TJ’s will move on to a better location or not but Davisites need to be aware of the financial wind storm that is out there right now. It’s coming here no matter how much Davis tries to insulate it’s self.

    Merely being the city of Davis and wishing no longer makes anything so.

  57. I’ll try again.

    “deal between Trader Joe’s and Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) had fallen apart.”
    From what I’ve read, Trader Joe’s was not part of the negotiations or the deal struck. Trader Joe’s has simply said that their location preference is at the U=Mall. It’s their business model and apparently a good one as they seem to do well wherever the are. By the way, parking is a problem at most Trader Joe’s locations I have visited.

  58. I’ll try again.

    “deal between Trader Joe’s and Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) had fallen apart.”
    From what I’ve read, Trader Joe’s was not part of the negotiations or the deal struck. Trader Joe’s has simply said that their location preference is at the U=Mall. It’s their business model and apparently a good one as they seem to do well wherever the are. By the way, parking is a problem at most Trader Joe’s locations I have visited.

  59. I’ll try again.

    “deal between Trader Joe’s and Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) had fallen apart.”
    From what I’ve read, Trader Joe’s was not part of the negotiations or the deal struck. Trader Joe’s has simply said that their location preference is at the U=Mall. It’s their business model and apparently a good one as they seem to do well wherever the are. By the way, parking is a problem at most Trader Joe’s locations I have visited.

  60. I’ll try again.

    “deal between Trader Joe’s and Radiological Associates of Sacramento (RAS) had fallen apart.”
    From what I’ve read, Trader Joe’s was not part of the negotiations or the deal struck. Trader Joe’s has simply said that their location preference is at the U=Mall. It’s their business model and apparently a good one as they seem to do well wherever the are. By the way, parking is a problem at most Trader Joe’s locations I have visited.

  61. I think letting Cost Plus use that location was a huge mistake. Who even shops there?

    Apparently enough of your fellow citizens to make it worth keeping the doors open.

    We don’t need more places to buy trinkets and overpriced furniture.

    Apparently enough of your fellow citizens to make it worth keeping the doors open disagree.

  62. I think letting Cost Plus use that location was a huge mistake. Who even shops there?

    Apparently enough of your fellow citizens to make it worth keeping the doors open.

    We don’t need more places to buy trinkets and overpriced furniture.

    Apparently enough of your fellow citizens to make it worth keeping the doors open disagree.

  63. I think letting Cost Plus use that location was a huge mistake. Who even shops there?

    Apparently enough of your fellow citizens to make it worth keeping the doors open.

    We don’t need more places to buy trinkets and overpriced furniture.

    Apparently enough of your fellow citizens to make it worth keeping the doors open disagree.

  64. I think letting Cost Plus use that location was a huge mistake. Who even shops there?

    Apparently enough of your fellow citizens to make it worth keeping the doors open.

    We don’t need more places to buy trinkets and overpriced furniture.

    Apparently enough of your fellow citizens to make it worth keeping the doors open disagree.

  65. What with the recession in place for the next few years, Trader Joes can afford to wait until the RAS lease runs out; RAS will have to then “eat” the entire cost of their move. Trader Joes has called RAS’ bluff. Watch now for a much lower RAS counter-offer to Centro for agreeing to a voluntary move.

  66. What with the recession in place for the next few years, Trader Joes can afford to wait until the RAS lease runs out; RAS will have to then “eat” the entire cost of their move. Trader Joes has called RAS’ bluff. Watch now for a much lower RAS counter-offer to Centro for agreeing to a voluntary move.

  67. What with the recession in place for the next few years, Trader Joes can afford to wait until the RAS lease runs out; RAS will have to then “eat” the entire cost of their move. Trader Joes has called RAS’ bluff. Watch now for a much lower RAS counter-offer to Centro for agreeing to a voluntary move.

  68. What with the recession in place for the next few years, Trader Joes can afford to wait until the RAS lease runs out; RAS will have to then “eat” the entire cost of their move. Trader Joes has called RAS’ bluff. Watch now for a much lower RAS counter-offer to Centro for agreeing to a voluntary move.

  69. There are four parties involved in this negotiation process. The forth is the owner of the location where RAS would move to. All four will have it in their interest to make this deal happen. I think all four will have to give something up for the deal to be finally be consummated. Otherwise Trader Joe’s will give up or look to another location. In my opinion Davis Manor next to the Dollar Tree is the next best location.

  70. There are four parties involved in this negotiation process. The forth is the owner of the location where RAS would move to. All four will have it in their interest to make this deal happen. I think all four will have to give something up for the deal to be finally be consummated. Otherwise Trader Joe’s will give up or look to another location. In my opinion Davis Manor next to the Dollar Tree is the next best location.

  71. There are four parties involved in this negotiation process. The forth is the owner of the location where RAS would move to. All four will have it in their interest to make this deal happen. I think all four will have to give something up for the deal to be finally be consummated. Otherwise Trader Joe’s will give up or look to another location. In my opinion Davis Manor next to the Dollar Tree is the next best location.

  72. There are four parties involved in this negotiation process. The forth is the owner of the location where RAS would move to. All four will have it in their interest to make this deal happen. I think all four will have to give something up for the deal to be finally be consummated. Otherwise Trader Joe’s will give up or look to another location. In my opinion Davis Manor next to the Dollar Tree is the next best location.

  73. “if Trader Joe’s located to Davis Manor, then there’d be quick and easy freeway access for them.”

    12/4/08 10:42 AM

    well, maybe not Pole Line Road freeway access…but some kind of grocery store ought to be situated in Davis Manor for east Davisites, perhaps replacing Dollar Tree, which is pretty useless. Maybe a satellite Coop?

  74. “if Trader Joe’s located to Davis Manor, then there’d be quick and easy freeway access for them.”

    12/4/08 10:42 AM

    well, maybe not Pole Line Road freeway access…but some kind of grocery store ought to be situated in Davis Manor for east Davisites, perhaps replacing Dollar Tree, which is pretty useless. Maybe a satellite Coop?

  75. “if Trader Joe’s located to Davis Manor, then there’d be quick and easy freeway access for them.”

    12/4/08 10:42 AM

    well, maybe not Pole Line Road freeway access…but some kind of grocery store ought to be situated in Davis Manor for east Davisites, perhaps replacing Dollar Tree, which is pretty useless. Maybe a satellite Coop?

  76. “if Trader Joe’s located to Davis Manor, then there’d be quick and easy freeway access for them.”

    12/4/08 10:42 AM

    well, maybe not Pole Line Road freeway access…but some kind of grocery store ought to be situated in Davis Manor for east Davisites, perhaps replacing Dollar Tree, which is pretty useless. Maybe a satellite Coop?

  77. Two Buck: Trader Joe’s was not involved in the negotiations. TJs has hundreds of stores. If they never open one in Davis, it won’t make much difference to them. They would open a store here, only if it fits their operating model. If it doesn’t, they’ll go to Woodland.

  78. Two Buck: Trader Joe’s was not involved in the negotiations. TJs has hundreds of stores. If they never open one in Davis, it won’t make much difference to them. They would open a store here, only if it fits their operating model. If it doesn’t, they’ll go to Woodland.

  79. Two Buck: Trader Joe’s was not involved in the negotiations. TJs has hundreds of stores. If they never open one in Davis, it won’t make much difference to them. They would open a store here, only if it fits their operating model. If it doesn’t, they’ll go to Woodland.

  80. Two Buck: Trader Joe’s was not involved in the negotiations. TJs has hundreds of stores. If they never open one in Davis, it won’t make much difference to them. They would open a store here, only if it fits their operating model. If it doesn’t, they’ll go to Woodland.

  81. Anon. I beg to differ, they had to say how much they would pay to rent the space, how much space they require and how the new space would be laid out.

  82. Anon. I beg to differ, they had to say how much they would pay to rent the space, how much space they require and how the new space would be laid out.

  83. Anon. I beg to differ, they had to say how much they would pay to rent the space, how much space they require and how the new space would be laid out.

  84. Anon. I beg to differ, they had to say how much they would pay to rent the space, how much space they require and how the new space would be laid out.

  85. I think Sue and others are living in fairy-tale town if they think tech companies are going to line up at the door to get in here. The economy is in shambles, and quite frankly, the climate of Davis is anti-business. I think the No on Target attitudes make outside companies of all types feel unwelcome in Davis, big box or not. Now during desperate economic times we want cash flow, and we want it now, but we don’t want cash cows like Wal Mart, but we want their cash. We want to get the milk without buying the cow. It is why there was speculation over tax-sharing arrangements because Davis wants to be a small town but have a large town big-box economy. Woodland gets to pay for all types of things because they are willing to attract businesses like best buy and walmart in their town.

  86. I think Sue and others are living in fairy-tale town if they think tech companies are going to line up at the door to get in here. The economy is in shambles, and quite frankly, the climate of Davis is anti-business. I think the No on Target attitudes make outside companies of all types feel unwelcome in Davis, big box or not. Now during desperate economic times we want cash flow, and we want it now, but we don’t want cash cows like Wal Mart, but we want their cash. We want to get the milk without buying the cow. It is why there was speculation over tax-sharing arrangements because Davis wants to be a small town but have a large town big-box economy. Woodland gets to pay for all types of things because they are willing to attract businesses like best buy and walmart in their town.

  87. I think Sue and others are living in fairy-tale town if they think tech companies are going to line up at the door to get in here. The economy is in shambles, and quite frankly, the climate of Davis is anti-business. I think the No on Target attitudes make outside companies of all types feel unwelcome in Davis, big box or not. Now during desperate economic times we want cash flow, and we want it now, but we don’t want cash cows like Wal Mart, but we want their cash. We want to get the milk without buying the cow. It is why there was speculation over tax-sharing arrangements because Davis wants to be a small town but have a large town big-box economy. Woodland gets to pay for all types of things because they are willing to attract businesses like best buy and walmart in their town.

  88. I think Sue and others are living in fairy-tale town if they think tech companies are going to line up at the door to get in here. The economy is in shambles, and quite frankly, the climate of Davis is anti-business. I think the No on Target attitudes make outside companies of all types feel unwelcome in Davis, big box or not. Now during desperate economic times we want cash flow, and we want it now, but we don’t want cash cows like Wal Mart, but we want their cash. We want to get the milk without buying the cow. It is why there was speculation over tax-sharing arrangements because Davis wants to be a small town but have a large town big-box economy. Woodland gets to pay for all types of things because they are willing to attract businesses like best buy and walmart in their town.

  89. “I think Sue and others are living in fairy-tale town if they think tech companies are going to line up at the door to get in here.”

    I don’t think anyone believes that, I think we have go out and recruit them and entice.

    That said, and I think this goes to Bush’s Fist’s point and also an earlier point by some anonymous about Trader Joe’s going to Woodland. One of the reasons, I am not fond of either Wal Mart or Trader Joe’s is that they do not care about the character of our community. They have no investment here, it is a place to make money but one place among many.

    I don’t want that kind of business. I want to find companies who will be part of this community and can work with this community, not impose themselves on this community and make demands.

    I believe there is a better way to do things and that we are willing to sell our souls for these kind of exploitative companies out of some perceived need for money that is easy.

    There is a body of research on the Wal Mart’s of the world that they are not the cash cow that you make them out to be, that they are not bringing thriving communities and economic benefits to the communities they move to, and increasingly communities are saying no to them.

    We need to push for sustainable and green companies to come here and create a Davis model for business, not allow others to impose their model upon us. One size does not fit all.

  90. “I think Sue and others are living in fairy-tale town if they think tech companies are going to line up at the door to get in here.”

    I don’t think anyone believes that, I think we have go out and recruit them and entice.

    That said, and I think this goes to Bush’s Fist’s point and also an earlier point by some anonymous about Trader Joe’s going to Woodland. One of the reasons, I am not fond of either Wal Mart or Trader Joe’s is that they do not care about the character of our community. They have no investment here, it is a place to make money but one place among many.

    I don’t want that kind of business. I want to find companies who will be part of this community and can work with this community, not impose themselves on this community and make demands.

    I believe there is a better way to do things and that we are willing to sell our souls for these kind of exploitative companies out of some perceived need for money that is easy.

    There is a body of research on the Wal Mart’s of the world that they are not the cash cow that you make them out to be, that they are not bringing thriving communities and economic benefits to the communities they move to, and increasingly communities are saying no to them.

    We need to push for sustainable and green companies to come here and create a Davis model for business, not allow others to impose their model upon us. One size does not fit all.

  91. “I think Sue and others are living in fairy-tale town if they think tech companies are going to line up at the door to get in here.”

    I don’t think anyone believes that, I think we have go out and recruit them and entice.

    That said, and I think this goes to Bush’s Fist’s point and also an earlier point by some anonymous about Trader Joe’s going to Woodland. One of the reasons, I am not fond of either Wal Mart or Trader Joe’s is that they do not care about the character of our community. They have no investment here, it is a place to make money but one place among many.

    I don’t want that kind of business. I want to find companies who will be part of this community and can work with this community, not impose themselves on this community and make demands.

    I believe there is a better way to do things and that we are willing to sell our souls for these kind of exploitative companies out of some perceived need for money that is easy.

    There is a body of research on the Wal Mart’s of the world that they are not the cash cow that you make them out to be, that they are not bringing thriving communities and economic benefits to the communities they move to, and increasingly communities are saying no to them.

    We need to push for sustainable and green companies to come here and create a Davis model for business, not allow others to impose their model upon us. One size does not fit all.

  92. “I think Sue and others are living in fairy-tale town if they think tech companies are going to line up at the door to get in here.”

    I don’t think anyone believes that, I think we have go out and recruit them and entice.

    That said, and I think this goes to Bush’s Fist’s point and also an earlier point by some anonymous about Trader Joe’s going to Woodland. One of the reasons, I am not fond of either Wal Mart or Trader Joe’s is that they do not care about the character of our community. They have no investment here, it is a place to make money but one place among many.

    I don’t want that kind of business. I want to find companies who will be part of this community and can work with this community, not impose themselves on this community and make demands.

    I believe there is a better way to do things and that we are willing to sell our souls for these kind of exploitative companies out of some perceived need for money that is easy.

    There is a body of research on the Wal Mart’s of the world that they are not the cash cow that you make them out to be, that they are not bringing thriving communities and economic benefits to the communities they move to, and increasingly communities are saying no to them.

    We need to push for sustainable and green companies to come here and create a Davis model for business, not allow others to impose their model upon us. One size does not fit all.

  93. There are several open sites in Woodland for TJ’s to open up. Woodland would be an easy drive for Davis and Dixon residents as well as North Natomas folks.

  94. There are several open sites in Woodland for TJ’s to open up. Woodland would be an easy drive for Davis and Dixon residents as well as North Natomas folks.

  95. There are several open sites in Woodland for TJ’s to open up. Woodland would be an easy drive for Davis and Dixon residents as well as North Natomas folks.

  96. There are several open sites in Woodland for TJ’s to open up. Woodland would be an easy drive for Davis and Dixon residents as well as North Natomas folks.

  97. “One of the reasons, I am not fond of either Wal Mart or Trader Joe’s is that they do not care about the character of our community. They have no investment here, it is a place to make money but one place among many.”

    I think I interpret good character differently than you do.

    Downtown Davis cares about character insofar as it helps them stay in business. They are concerned primarily with making $, they just aren’t as successful at it as Wal Mart is.

    not impose themselves on this community and make demands.

    yes, Wal-Mart comes into communities with guns to everyone’s head and forces the community to accept them or else.

    “believe there is a better way to do things and that we are willing to sell our souls for these kind of exploitative companies out of some perceived need for money that is easy.”

    Downtown Davis is exploitive. I don’t see them cutting prices or anything. They use their monopoly to keep prices high and drive out competition.

    I’m not willing to sell my soul to downtown Davis.

    “There is a body of research on the Wal Mart’s of the world that they are not the cash cow that you make them out to be, that they are not bringing thriving communities and economic benefits to the communities they move to, and increasingly communities are saying no to them.”

    Well, considering how many new taxes Davis passes to make up revenue shortfalls every other year, the downtown sure as hell isn’t a cash cow.

  98. “One of the reasons, I am not fond of either Wal Mart or Trader Joe’s is that they do not care about the character of our community. They have no investment here, it is a place to make money but one place among many.”

    I think I interpret good character differently than you do.

    Downtown Davis cares about character insofar as it helps them stay in business. They are concerned primarily with making $, they just aren’t as successful at it as Wal Mart is.

    not impose themselves on this community and make demands.

    yes, Wal-Mart comes into communities with guns to everyone’s head and forces the community to accept them or else.

    “believe there is a better way to do things and that we are willing to sell our souls for these kind of exploitative companies out of some perceived need for money that is easy.”

    Downtown Davis is exploitive. I don’t see them cutting prices or anything. They use their monopoly to keep prices high and drive out competition.

    I’m not willing to sell my soul to downtown Davis.

    “There is a body of research on the Wal Mart’s of the world that they are not the cash cow that you make them out to be, that they are not bringing thriving communities and economic benefits to the communities they move to, and increasingly communities are saying no to them.”

    Well, considering how many new taxes Davis passes to make up revenue shortfalls every other year, the downtown sure as hell isn’t a cash cow.

  99. “One of the reasons, I am not fond of either Wal Mart or Trader Joe’s is that they do not care about the character of our community. They have no investment here, it is a place to make money but one place among many.”

    I think I interpret good character differently than you do.

    Downtown Davis cares about character insofar as it helps them stay in business. They are concerned primarily with making $, they just aren’t as successful at it as Wal Mart is.

    not impose themselves on this community and make demands.

    yes, Wal-Mart comes into communities with guns to everyone’s head and forces the community to accept them or else.

    “believe there is a better way to do things and that we are willing to sell our souls for these kind of exploitative companies out of some perceived need for money that is easy.”

    Downtown Davis is exploitive. I don’t see them cutting prices or anything. They use their monopoly to keep prices high and drive out competition.

    I’m not willing to sell my soul to downtown Davis.

    “There is a body of research on the Wal Mart’s of the world that they are not the cash cow that you make them out to be, that they are not bringing thriving communities and economic benefits to the communities they move to, and increasingly communities are saying no to them.”

    Well, considering how many new taxes Davis passes to make up revenue shortfalls every other year, the downtown sure as hell isn’t a cash cow.

  100. “One of the reasons, I am not fond of either Wal Mart or Trader Joe’s is that they do not care about the character of our community. They have no investment here, it is a place to make money but one place among many.”

    I think I interpret good character differently than you do.

    Downtown Davis cares about character insofar as it helps them stay in business. They are concerned primarily with making $, they just aren’t as successful at it as Wal Mart is.

    not impose themselves on this community and make demands.

    yes, Wal-Mart comes into communities with guns to everyone’s head and forces the community to accept them or else.

    “believe there is a better way to do things and that we are willing to sell our souls for these kind of exploitative companies out of some perceived need for money that is easy.”

    Downtown Davis is exploitive. I don’t see them cutting prices or anything. They use their monopoly to keep prices high and drive out competition.

    I’m not willing to sell my soul to downtown Davis.

    “There is a body of research on the Wal Mart’s of the world that they are not the cash cow that you make them out to be, that they are not bringing thriving communities and economic benefits to the communities they move to, and increasingly communities are saying no to them.”

    Well, considering how many new taxes Davis passes to make up revenue shortfalls every other year, the downtown sure as hell isn’t a cash cow.

  101. I find it interesting that you have used as your foil downtown, when in fact, I never stated downtown in my comment. In fact, you are the first person in this entire thread that has mentioned downtown.

  102. I find it interesting that you have used as your foil downtown, when in fact, I never stated downtown in my comment. In fact, you are the first person in this entire thread that has mentioned downtown.

  103. I find it interesting that you have used as your foil downtown, when in fact, I never stated downtown in my comment. In fact, you are the first person in this entire thread that has mentioned downtown.

  104. I find it interesting that you have used as your foil downtown, when in fact, I never stated downtown in my comment. In fact, you are the first person in this entire thread that has mentioned downtown.

  105. “Woodland would be an easy drive for Davis and Dixon residents as well as North Natomas folks.”

    Interesting…the plastic constituencies equated with the ultimate pre-fab suburb. Now I see the direction where the corportate planners/developers want Davis to go: McMansions, strip malls, turn Covell into an eight lane freeway while they’re at it. Hooee, when money talks so loud things get ugly quick.

  106. “Woodland would be an easy drive for Davis and Dixon residents as well as North Natomas folks.”

    Interesting…the plastic constituencies equated with the ultimate pre-fab suburb. Now I see the direction where the corportate planners/developers want Davis to go: McMansions, strip malls, turn Covell into an eight lane freeway while they’re at it. Hooee, when money talks so loud things get ugly quick.

  107. “Woodland would be an easy drive for Davis and Dixon residents as well as North Natomas folks.”

    Interesting…the plastic constituencies equated with the ultimate pre-fab suburb. Now I see the direction where the corportate planners/developers want Davis to go: McMansions, strip malls, turn Covell into an eight lane freeway while they’re at it. Hooee, when money talks so loud things get ugly quick.

  108. “Woodland would be an easy drive for Davis and Dixon residents as well as North Natomas folks.”

    Interesting…the plastic constituencies equated with the ultimate pre-fab suburb. Now I see the direction where the corportate planners/developers want Davis to go: McMansions, strip malls, turn Covell into an eight lane freeway while they’re at it. Hooee, when money talks so loud things get ugly quick.

  109. I agree, The available parking at the new Costco and Target would fit TJ very well, with easy access to I-5 and either 102 or Highway 113 for the Davis residents. We will gladly tax your sales tax revenue.

  110. I agree, The available parking at the new Costco and Target would fit TJ very well, with easy access to I-5 and either 102 or Highway 113 for the Davis residents. We will gladly tax your sales tax revenue.

  111. I agree, The available parking at the new Costco and Target would fit TJ very well, with easy access to I-5 and either 102 or Highway 113 for the Davis residents. We will gladly tax your sales tax revenue.

  112. I agree, The available parking at the new Costco and Target would fit TJ very well, with easy access to I-5 and either 102 or Highway 113 for the Davis residents. We will gladly tax your sales tax revenue.

  113. I’m going to make an educated guess here –

    I suspect Centro Watt is having financial difficulties. Hence it nixed the deal, bc it had agreed to pay RAS for renovations to its new location in order to get them to leave University Mall. Now Centro is having second thoughts about putting out so much money, when the economy is tanking and their financial picture looks a bit grim.

    The other possibility is that TJ’s is having second thoughts about expanding right now. If tight times are ahead, the last thing they would want to do is build a new store in a controversial location.

    Either way, RAS is getting manipulated all over the place for other businesses’ reasons, not an enviable position to be in – wondering if you are staying or going!!!

    I wouldn’t shop at TJ’s if you paid me. Don’t much like Centro Watt either, but like shopping at Gottchalks. Hardly ever go into Cost Plus.

    We do need more business of just about any kind, bc we need the tax revenue to pay for city services. Has anyone seen their sewer bill lately? Worse is to come if we also decide to implement the water project at the same time. God help us!

  114. I’m going to make an educated guess here –

    I suspect Centro Watt is having financial difficulties. Hence it nixed the deal, bc it had agreed to pay RAS for renovations to its new location in order to get them to leave University Mall. Now Centro is having second thoughts about putting out so much money, when the economy is tanking and their financial picture looks a bit grim.

    The other possibility is that TJ’s is having second thoughts about expanding right now. If tight times are ahead, the last thing they would want to do is build a new store in a controversial location.

    Either way, RAS is getting manipulated all over the place for other businesses’ reasons, not an enviable position to be in – wondering if you are staying or going!!!

    I wouldn’t shop at TJ’s if you paid me. Don’t much like Centro Watt either, but like shopping at Gottchalks. Hardly ever go into Cost Plus.

    We do need more business of just about any kind, bc we need the tax revenue to pay for city services. Has anyone seen their sewer bill lately? Worse is to come if we also decide to implement the water project at the same time. God help us!

  115. I’m going to make an educated guess here –

    I suspect Centro Watt is having financial difficulties. Hence it nixed the deal, bc it had agreed to pay RAS for renovations to its new location in order to get them to leave University Mall. Now Centro is having second thoughts about putting out so much money, when the economy is tanking and their financial picture looks a bit grim.

    The other possibility is that TJ’s is having second thoughts about expanding right now. If tight times are ahead, the last thing they would want to do is build a new store in a controversial location.

    Either way, RAS is getting manipulated all over the place for other businesses’ reasons, not an enviable position to be in – wondering if you are staying or going!!!

    I wouldn’t shop at TJ’s if you paid me. Don’t much like Centro Watt either, but like shopping at Gottchalks. Hardly ever go into Cost Plus.

    We do need more business of just about any kind, bc we need the tax revenue to pay for city services. Has anyone seen their sewer bill lately? Worse is to come if we also decide to implement the water project at the same time. God help us!

  116. I’m going to make an educated guess here –

    I suspect Centro Watt is having financial difficulties. Hence it nixed the deal, bc it had agreed to pay RAS for renovations to its new location in order to get them to leave University Mall. Now Centro is having second thoughts about putting out so much money, when the economy is tanking and their financial picture looks a bit grim.

    The other possibility is that TJ’s is having second thoughts about expanding right now. If tight times are ahead, the last thing they would want to do is build a new store in a controversial location.

    Either way, RAS is getting manipulated all over the place for other businesses’ reasons, not an enviable position to be in – wondering if you are staying or going!!!

    I wouldn’t shop at TJ’s if you paid me. Don’t much like Centro Watt either, but like shopping at Gottchalks. Hardly ever go into Cost Plus.

    We do need more business of just about any kind, bc we need the tax revenue to pay for city services. Has anyone seen their sewer bill lately? Worse is to come if we also decide to implement the water project at the same time. God help us!

  117. To,”I’m Guessing Said”,

    You would’nt shop at TJ’s if they paid you? Why would they pay you to shop there? They don’t care whether you shop there or not. Get a clue. Most people will shop there. Just because Wal Mart and Trader Joe’s don’t let a bunch of union lackey’s run their businesses does’nt mean they are are doing poorly by the community they are providing employment and goods in.
    This is all about money, lawyers and the famous “living wage”. Look around you,the economy is about to cave in.

  118. To,”I’m Guessing Said”,

    You would’nt shop at TJ’s if they paid you? Why would they pay you to shop there? They don’t care whether you shop there or not. Get a clue. Most people will shop there. Just because Wal Mart and Trader Joe’s don’t let a bunch of union lackey’s run their businesses does’nt mean they are are doing poorly by the community they are providing employment and goods in.
    This is all about money, lawyers and the famous “living wage”. Look around you,the economy is about to cave in.

  119. To,”I’m Guessing Said”,

    You would’nt shop at TJ’s if they paid you? Why would they pay you to shop there? They don’t care whether you shop there or not. Get a clue. Most people will shop there. Just because Wal Mart and Trader Joe’s don’t let a bunch of union lackey’s run their businesses does’nt mean they are are doing poorly by the community they are providing employment and goods in.
    This is all about money, lawyers and the famous “living wage”. Look around you,the economy is about to cave in.

  120. To,”I’m Guessing Said”,

    You would’nt shop at TJ’s if they paid you? Why would they pay you to shop there? They don’t care whether you shop there or not. Get a clue. Most people will shop there. Just because Wal Mart and Trader Joe’s don’t let a bunch of union lackey’s run their businesses does’nt mean they are are doing poorly by the community they are providing employment and goods in.
    This is all about money, lawyers and the famous “living wage”. Look around you,the economy is about to cave in.

  121. Centro is flat out of money to pay for the move. Centro was gong bankrupt before the crash, and U-Mall was the worst performing mall in their California portfolio before the crash. They desperately needed an anchor, but they are broke clearly broke. We have no idea whether any retailer in U-Mall will make it through the recession. Retail is going through a major contraction, and only time will tell how things sort out.

  122. Centro is flat out of money to pay for the move. Centro was gong bankrupt before the crash, and U-Mall was the worst performing mall in their California portfolio before the crash. They desperately needed an anchor, but they are broke clearly broke. We have no idea whether any retailer in U-Mall will make it through the recession. Retail is going through a major contraction, and only time will tell how things sort out.

  123. Centro is flat out of money to pay for the move. Centro was gong bankrupt before the crash, and U-Mall was the worst performing mall in their California portfolio before the crash. They desperately needed an anchor, but they are broke clearly broke. We have no idea whether any retailer in U-Mall will make it through the recession. Retail is going through a major contraction, and only time will tell how things sort out.

  124. Centro is flat out of money to pay for the move. Centro was gong bankrupt before the crash, and U-Mall was the worst performing mall in their California portfolio before the crash. They desperately needed an anchor, but they are broke clearly broke. We have no idea whether any retailer in U-Mall will make it through the recession. Retail is going through a major contraction, and only time will tell how things sort out.

  125. From the Associated Press:

    Even as the holiday shopping season begins in full swing, the same events poisoning the housing market are now at work on commercial properties, and the bad news is trickling in.

    The number of late payments and defaults will double, if not triple.

    “We’re probably in the first inning of the commercial mortgage problem,” said Scott Tross, a real estate lawyer with Herrick Feinstein in New Jersey.

    That’s bad news for more than just property owners. When businesses go dark, employees lose jobs. Towns lose tax revenue. School budgets and social services feel the pinch.

    Companies have survived plenty of downturns, but economists see this one playing out like never before.

    “It’s a toxic drug and nobody knows how bad it’s going to be,” said Paul Miller, an analyst with Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, who was among the first to sound alarm bells in the residential market.

    Unlike home mortgages, businesses don’t pay their loans over 30 years. Commercial mortgages are usually written for five, seven or 10 years with big payments due at the end. About $20 billion will be due next year, covering everything from office and condo complexes to hotels and malls.

    The retail outlook is particularly bad. Circuit City and Linens ‘n Things have sought bankruptcy protection. Home Depot, Sears, Ann Taylor and Foot Locker are closing stores.

    Those retailers typically were paying rent that was expected to cover mortgage payments. When those $20 billion in mortgages come due next year — 2010 and 2011 totals are projected to be even higher — many property owners won’t have the money.

    Refinancing formerly was an option, but many properties are worth less than when they were purchased. And since investors no longer want to buy commercial mortgages, banks are reluctant to write new loans to refinance those facing foreclosure.

    California, New York, Texas and Florida — states with a high concentration of mortgages in the securities market, according to Fitch — are particularly vulnerable.

  126. From the Associated Press:

    Even as the holiday shopping season begins in full swing, the same events poisoning the housing market are now at work on commercial properties, and the bad news is trickling in.

    The number of late payments and defaults will double, if not triple.

    “We’re probably in the first inning of the commercial mortgage problem,” said Scott Tross, a real estate lawyer with Herrick Feinstein in New Jersey.

    That’s bad news for more than just property owners. When businesses go dark, employees lose jobs. Towns lose tax revenue. School budgets and social services feel the pinch.

    Companies have survived plenty of downturns, but economists see this one playing out like never before.

    “It’s a toxic drug and nobody knows how bad it’s going to be,” said Paul Miller, an analyst with Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, who was among the first to sound alarm bells in the residential market.

    Unlike home mortgages, businesses don’t pay their loans over 30 years. Commercial mortgages are usually written for five, seven or 10 years with big payments due at the end. About $20 billion will be due next year, covering everything from office and condo complexes to hotels and malls.

    The retail outlook is particularly bad. Circuit City and Linens ‘n Things have sought bankruptcy protection. Home Depot, Sears, Ann Taylor and Foot Locker are closing stores.

    Those retailers typically were paying rent that was expected to cover mortgage payments. When those $20 billion in mortgages come due next year — 2010 and 2011 totals are projected to be even higher — many property owners won’t have the money.

    Refinancing formerly was an option, but many properties are worth less than when they were purchased. And since investors no longer want to buy commercial mortgages, banks are reluctant to write new loans to refinance those facing foreclosure.

    California, New York, Texas and Florida — states with a high concentration of mortgages in the securities market, according to Fitch — are particularly vulnerable.

  127. From the Associated Press:

    Even as the holiday shopping season begins in full swing, the same events poisoning the housing market are now at work on commercial properties, and the bad news is trickling in.

    The number of late payments and defaults will double, if not triple.

    “We’re probably in the first inning of the commercial mortgage problem,” said Scott Tross, a real estate lawyer with Herrick Feinstein in New Jersey.

    That’s bad news for more than just property owners. When businesses go dark, employees lose jobs. Towns lose tax revenue. School budgets and social services feel the pinch.

    Companies have survived plenty of downturns, but economists see this one playing out like never before.

    “It’s a toxic drug and nobody knows how bad it’s going to be,” said Paul Miller, an analyst with Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, who was among the first to sound alarm bells in the residential market.

    Unlike home mortgages, businesses don’t pay their loans over 30 years. Commercial mortgages are usually written for five, seven or 10 years with big payments due at the end. About $20 billion will be due next year, covering everything from office and condo complexes to hotels and malls.

    The retail outlook is particularly bad. Circuit City and Linens ‘n Things have sought bankruptcy protection. Home Depot, Sears, Ann Taylor and Foot Locker are closing stores.

    Those retailers typically were paying rent that was expected to cover mortgage payments. When those $20 billion in mortgages come due next year — 2010 and 2011 totals are projected to be even higher — many property owners won’t have the money.

    Refinancing formerly was an option, but many properties are worth less than when they were purchased. And since investors no longer want to buy commercial mortgages, banks are reluctant to write new loans to refinance those facing foreclosure.

    California, New York, Texas and Florida — states with a high concentration of mortgages in the securities market, according to Fitch — are particularly vulnerable.

  128. From the Associated Press:

    Even as the holiday shopping season begins in full swing, the same events poisoning the housing market are now at work on commercial properties, and the bad news is trickling in.

    The number of late payments and defaults will double, if not triple.

    “We’re probably in the first inning of the commercial mortgage problem,” said Scott Tross, a real estate lawyer with Herrick Feinstein in New Jersey.

    That’s bad news for more than just property owners. When businesses go dark, employees lose jobs. Towns lose tax revenue. School budgets and social services feel the pinch.

    Companies have survived plenty of downturns, but economists see this one playing out like never before.

    “It’s a toxic drug and nobody knows how bad it’s going to be,” said Paul Miller, an analyst with Friedman, Billings, Ramsey, who was among the first to sound alarm bells in the residential market.

    Unlike home mortgages, businesses don’t pay their loans over 30 years. Commercial mortgages are usually written for five, seven or 10 years with big payments due at the end. About $20 billion will be due next year, covering everything from office and condo complexes to hotels and malls.

    The retail outlook is particularly bad. Circuit City and Linens ‘n Things have sought bankruptcy protection. Home Depot, Sears, Ann Taylor and Foot Locker are closing stores.

    Those retailers typically were paying rent that was expected to cover mortgage payments. When those $20 billion in mortgages come due next year — 2010 and 2011 totals are projected to be even higher — many property owners won’t have the money.

    Refinancing formerly was an option, but many properties are worth less than when they were purchased. And since investors no longer want to buy commercial mortgages, banks are reluctant to write new loans to refinance those facing foreclosure.

    California, New York, Texas and Florida — states with a high concentration of mortgages in the securities market, according to Fitch — are particularly vulnerable.

  129. “Just because Wal Mart and Trader Joe’s don’t let a bunch of union lackey’s run their businesses does’nt mean they are are doing poorly by the community they are providing employment and goods in.”

    Trader Joe’s doesn’t really need unions, they pay well over living wage and have good health benefits. Wal Mart has kept unions out through various intimidation tactics and have low wages and generally use the Medicaid system as their health care.

    Google all the communities that have either prevented Wal Mart from coming in or kicked them out. There is a good body of research indicating the harm that Wal Mart and other boxes do to local economies, they suck a lot more resources out than they pump in. Trader Joe’s has generally been better but they seem to be becoming more and more arrogant. I was totally in favor of them coming two years ago, now I am dead set against it. It’s all about their attitude for me.

  130. “Just because Wal Mart and Trader Joe’s don’t let a bunch of union lackey’s run their businesses does’nt mean they are are doing poorly by the community they are providing employment and goods in.”

    Trader Joe’s doesn’t really need unions, they pay well over living wage and have good health benefits. Wal Mart has kept unions out through various intimidation tactics and have low wages and generally use the Medicaid system as their health care.

    Google all the communities that have either prevented Wal Mart from coming in or kicked them out. There is a good body of research indicating the harm that Wal Mart and other boxes do to local economies, they suck a lot more resources out than they pump in. Trader Joe’s has generally been better but they seem to be becoming more and more arrogant. I was totally in favor of them coming two years ago, now I am dead set against it. It’s all about their attitude for me.

  131. “Just because Wal Mart and Trader Joe’s don’t let a bunch of union lackey’s run their businesses does’nt mean they are are doing poorly by the community they are providing employment and goods in.”

    Trader Joe’s doesn’t really need unions, they pay well over living wage and have good health benefits. Wal Mart has kept unions out through various intimidation tactics and have low wages and generally use the Medicaid system as their health care.

    Google all the communities that have either prevented Wal Mart from coming in or kicked them out. There is a good body of research indicating the harm that Wal Mart and other boxes do to local economies, they suck a lot more resources out than they pump in. Trader Joe’s has generally been better but they seem to be becoming more and more arrogant. I was totally in favor of them coming two years ago, now I am dead set against it. It’s all about their attitude for me.

  132. “Just because Wal Mart and Trader Joe’s don’t let a bunch of union lackey’s run their businesses does’nt mean they are are doing poorly by the community they are providing employment and goods in.”

    Trader Joe’s doesn’t really need unions, they pay well over living wage and have good health benefits. Wal Mart has kept unions out through various intimidation tactics and have low wages and generally use the Medicaid system as their health care.

    Google all the communities that have either prevented Wal Mart from coming in or kicked them out. There is a good body of research indicating the harm that Wal Mart and other boxes do to local economies, they suck a lot more resources out than they pump in. Trader Joe’s has generally been better but they seem to be becoming more and more arrogant. I was totally in favor of them coming two years ago, now I am dead set against it. It’s all about their attitude for me.

  133. The reality is that ~half of Davis residents don’t put anti-commercialism ideology above convinience and economical shopping options (e.g. Target). Those of us (e.g. who voted for Target) are tired of the arrogance of the “fairy-tale” Davis residents who impose their political or whatever values on the rest of us. You can shop at the downtown boutiques and expensive restaurants all you want, but many of us (esp. students) desparately need Target and Trader Joe’s and affordable housing. Davis isn’t a small college town it was 20 yrs ago. If you can’t accept that fact, YOU should move to Winters or Esparto and enjoy the “amenities” of small town life.

    The primary goal of any business is to make money. Trader Joe’s has every right to be choosey about where to open their stores, and frankly, I don’t see much motivation to open one in Davis from the company’s stand point. I think the mayor has gone a great length to attract TJ’s against all odds which I really appreciate. The (sad) reality is that the city had no leverage to negotiate TJ’s to move into Westlake or East Manor. Even begging them to come to anywhere in Davis has been a long shot thanks to the anti-business/anti-growth history of the city.

    If Davis is going to keep pipe-dreaming for killer high-tech businesses while challenging every chain stores that want to open in Davis, and rejecting every housing development greater than 10 units, we will very soon run out of money (and kids) to keep the schools and parks in shape.

  134. The reality is that ~half of Davis residents don’t put anti-commercialism ideology above convinience and economical shopping options (e.g. Target). Those of us (e.g. who voted for Target) are tired of the arrogance of the “fairy-tale” Davis residents who impose their political or whatever values on the rest of us. You can shop at the downtown boutiques and expensive restaurants all you want, but many of us (esp. students) desparately need Target and Trader Joe’s and affordable housing. Davis isn’t a small college town it was 20 yrs ago. If you can’t accept that fact, YOU should move to Winters or Esparto and enjoy the “amenities” of small town life.

    The primary goal of any business is to make money. Trader Joe’s has every right to be choosey about where to open their stores, and frankly, I don’t see much motivation to open one in Davis from the company’s stand point. I think the mayor has gone a great length to attract TJ’s against all odds which I really appreciate. The (sad) reality is that the city had no leverage to negotiate TJ’s to move into Westlake or East Manor. Even begging them to come to anywhere in Davis has been a long shot thanks to the anti-business/anti-growth history of the city.

    If Davis is going to keep pipe-dreaming for killer high-tech businesses while challenging every chain stores that want to open in Davis, and rejecting every housing development greater than 10 units, we will very soon run out of money (and kids) to keep the schools and parks in shape.

  135. The reality is that ~half of Davis residents don’t put anti-commercialism ideology above convinience and economical shopping options (e.g. Target). Those of us (e.g. who voted for Target) are tired of the arrogance of the “fairy-tale” Davis residents who impose their political or whatever values on the rest of us. You can shop at the downtown boutiques and expensive restaurants all you want, but many of us (esp. students) desparately need Target and Trader Joe’s and affordable housing. Davis isn’t a small college town it was 20 yrs ago. If you can’t accept that fact, YOU should move to Winters or Esparto and enjoy the “amenities” of small town life.

    The primary goal of any business is to make money. Trader Joe’s has every right to be choosey about where to open their stores, and frankly, I don’t see much motivation to open one in Davis from the company’s stand point. I think the mayor has gone a great length to attract TJ’s against all odds which I really appreciate. The (sad) reality is that the city had no leverage to negotiate TJ’s to move into Westlake or East Manor. Even begging them to come to anywhere in Davis has been a long shot thanks to the anti-business/anti-growth history of the city.

    If Davis is going to keep pipe-dreaming for killer high-tech businesses while challenging every chain stores that want to open in Davis, and rejecting every housing development greater than 10 units, we will very soon run out of money (and kids) to keep the schools and parks in shape.

  136. The reality is that ~half of Davis residents don’t put anti-commercialism ideology above convinience and economical shopping options (e.g. Target). Those of us (e.g. who voted for Target) are tired of the arrogance of the “fairy-tale” Davis residents who impose their political or whatever values on the rest of us. You can shop at the downtown boutiques and expensive restaurants all you want, but many of us (esp. students) desparately need Target and Trader Joe’s and affordable housing. Davis isn’t a small college town it was 20 yrs ago. If you can’t accept that fact, YOU should move to Winters or Esparto and enjoy the “amenities” of small town life.

    The primary goal of any business is to make money. Trader Joe’s has every right to be choosey about where to open their stores, and frankly, I don’t see much motivation to open one in Davis from the company’s stand point. I think the mayor has gone a great length to attract TJ’s against all odds which I really appreciate. The (sad) reality is that the city had no leverage to negotiate TJ’s to move into Westlake or East Manor. Even begging them to come to anywhere in Davis has been a long shot thanks to the anti-business/anti-growth history of the city.

    If Davis is going to keep pipe-dreaming for killer high-tech businesses while challenging every chain stores that want to open in Davis, and rejecting every housing development greater than 10 units, we will very soon run out of money (and kids) to keep the schools and parks in shape.

  137. A lot of good comments here.

    I’m guessing has good insight. Centro sees the lagging economy and doesn’t have the financial wherewithall to pay TJ’s so had second thoughts. So all this heartache is for nothing.

    Another person had it right: the primary goal of any business is to make money, be it Wal Mart, Target, Pink-a-dot, or Bogey’s books.

    One good thing about Wal Mart is it is a leading employer of Senior Citizens. They cannot get jobs, but they need ’em badly.

  138. A lot of good comments here.

    I’m guessing has good insight. Centro sees the lagging economy and doesn’t have the financial wherewithall to pay TJ’s so had second thoughts. So all this heartache is for nothing.

    Another person had it right: the primary goal of any business is to make money, be it Wal Mart, Target, Pink-a-dot, or Bogey’s books.

    One good thing about Wal Mart is it is a leading employer of Senior Citizens. They cannot get jobs, but they need ’em badly.

  139. A lot of good comments here.

    I’m guessing has good insight. Centro sees the lagging economy and doesn’t have the financial wherewithall to pay TJ’s so had second thoughts. So all this heartache is for nothing.

    Another person had it right: the primary goal of any business is to make money, be it Wal Mart, Target, Pink-a-dot, or Bogey’s books.

    One good thing about Wal Mart is it is a leading employer of Senior Citizens. They cannot get jobs, but they need ’em badly.

  140. A lot of good comments here.

    I’m guessing has good insight. Centro sees the lagging economy and doesn’t have the financial wherewithall to pay TJ’s so had second thoughts. So all this heartache is for nothing.

    Another person had it right: the primary goal of any business is to make money, be it Wal Mart, Target, Pink-a-dot, or Bogey’s books.

    One good thing about Wal Mart is it is a leading employer of Senior Citizens. They cannot get jobs, but they need ’em badly.

  141. Quite frankly, Centro watt is being an a&@! they put RAS through hell with lawsuits and heartache for TJ's. In the end, they didn't get em' and changed their mind and broke the Deal.

    I personally think TJ's doesn't want WestLake under any condition. They have put the pressure on RAS to move, and now the deal is off.

    Quite frankly, I'm kind of irritated with WestLake owners because they put in three grocery stores they knew would fail, and now West Lake has become a liability so TJ's doesn't want it.

    One thing I think is for sure: too many agendas: TJ's, Centro Watt, and the West Lake Owners. We should have had a viable business in West Lake long ago.

    Also, Centro Watt has blood on his hands for what he did to Teriyaki Express. He ran a decent business out of his mall for no good reason.

  142. Quite frankly, Centro watt is being an a&@! they put RAS through hell with lawsuits and heartache for TJ's. In the end, they didn't get em' and changed their mind and broke the Deal.

    I personally think TJ's doesn't want WestLake under any condition. They have put the pressure on RAS to move, and now the deal is off.

    Quite frankly, I'm kind of irritated with WestLake owners because they put in three grocery stores they knew would fail, and now West Lake has become a liability so TJ's doesn't want it.

    One thing I think is for sure: too many agendas: TJ's, Centro Watt, and the West Lake Owners. We should have had a viable business in West Lake long ago.

    Also, Centro Watt has blood on his hands for what he did to Teriyaki Express. He ran a decent business out of his mall for no good reason.

  143. Quite frankly, Centro watt is being an a&@! they put RAS through hell with lawsuits and heartache for TJ's. In the end, they didn't get em' and changed their mind and broke the Deal.

    I personally think TJ's doesn't want WestLake under any condition. They have put the pressure on RAS to move, and now the deal is off.

    Quite frankly, I'm kind of irritated with WestLake owners because they put in three grocery stores they knew would fail, and now West Lake has become a liability so TJ's doesn't want it.

    One thing I think is for sure: too many agendas: TJ's, Centro Watt, and the West Lake Owners. We should have had a viable business in West Lake long ago.

    Also, Centro Watt has blood on his hands for what he did to Teriyaki Express. He ran a decent business out of his mall for no good reason.

  144. Quite frankly, Centro watt is being an a&@! they put RAS through hell with lawsuits and heartache for TJ's. In the end, they didn't get em' and changed their mind and broke the Deal.

    I personally think TJ's doesn't want WestLake under any condition. They have put the pressure on RAS to move, and now the deal is off.

    Quite frankly, I'm kind of irritated with WestLake owners because they put in three grocery stores they knew would fail, and now West Lake has become a liability so TJ's doesn't want it.

    One thing I think is for sure: too many agendas: TJ's, Centro Watt, and the West Lake Owners. We should have had a viable business in West Lake long ago.

    Also, Centro Watt has blood on his hands for what he did to Teriyaki Express. He ran a decent business out of his mall for no good reason.

  145. I would support putting Trader Joe’s on 2nd Street next to the new Target.

    Now that we are building that commercial development, we should make sure that it does well. Super well.

    I don’t know of anyone who will do their weekly grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s. It is a specialty store. I know that in Marin County the Trader Joe’s is directly across the street from Whole Foods and both do well.

    I suspect that Trader Joe’s wants the University Mall location to service students who want to make alcohol purchases and won’t be driving out to Lake Blvd. to purchase it. I don’t believe for a minute that it is “freeway access” that is driving their desire for that location.

  146. I would support putting Trader Joe’s on 2nd Street next to the new Target.

    Now that we are building that commercial development, we should make sure that it does well. Super well.

    I don’t know of anyone who will do their weekly grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s. It is a specialty store. I know that in Marin County the Trader Joe’s is directly across the street from Whole Foods and both do well.

    I suspect that Trader Joe’s wants the University Mall location to service students who want to make alcohol purchases and won’t be driving out to Lake Blvd. to purchase it. I don’t believe for a minute that it is “freeway access” that is driving their desire for that location.

  147. I would support putting Trader Joe’s on 2nd Street next to the new Target.

    Now that we are building that commercial development, we should make sure that it does well. Super well.

    I don’t know of anyone who will do their weekly grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s. It is a specialty store. I know that in Marin County the Trader Joe’s is directly across the street from Whole Foods and both do well.

    I suspect that Trader Joe’s wants the University Mall location to service students who want to make alcohol purchases and won’t be driving out to Lake Blvd. to purchase it. I don’t believe for a minute that it is “freeway access” that is driving their desire for that location.

  148. I would support putting Trader Joe’s on 2nd Street next to the new Target.

    Now that we are building that commercial development, we should make sure that it does well. Super well.

    I don’t know of anyone who will do their weekly grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s. It is a specialty store. I know that in Marin County the Trader Joe’s is directly across the street from Whole Foods and both do well.

    I suspect that Trader Joe’s wants the University Mall location to service students who want to make alcohol purchases and won’t be driving out to Lake Blvd. to purchase it. I don’t believe for a minute that it is “freeway access” that is driving their desire for that location.

  149. “Also, Centro Watt has blood on his hands for what he did to Teriyaki Express. He ran a decent business out of his mall for no good reason.”

    Amen to that!!!

  150. “Also, Centro Watt has blood on his hands for what he did to Teriyaki Express. He ran a decent business out of his mall for no good reason.”

    Amen to that!!!

  151. “Also, Centro Watt has blood on his hands for what he did to Teriyaki Express. He ran a decent business out of his mall for no good reason.”

    Amen to that!!!

  152. “Also, Centro Watt has blood on his hands for what he did to Teriyaki Express. He ran a decent business out of his mall for no good reason.”

    Amen to that!!!

  153. Also, when you think of it, the City council was really shortsighted. All five of em are guilty by stepping in when they shouldn’t have. This includes Souza, Saylor, Lamar, Sue, and Ruth. They are all guilty.

    Centro Watt is out Legal fees and in the end lost $.

    Trader Joes didn’t get the location because RAS was there to begin with.

    RAS had to pay legal fees to fight Watt and Joes.

    WestLake plaza is still empty.

    The City council looks like a bully by stepping in with the zoning change to further TJ’s goals.

    Teriyaki Express folded.

    A lose-lose for all.

    The Davis City council, Trader Joes, and Centro Watt might consider being reasonable next time.

  154. Also, when you think of it, the City council was really shortsighted. All five of em are guilty by stepping in when they shouldn’t have. This includes Souza, Saylor, Lamar, Sue, and Ruth. They are all guilty.

    Centro Watt is out Legal fees and in the end lost $.

    Trader Joes didn’t get the location because RAS was there to begin with.

    RAS had to pay legal fees to fight Watt and Joes.

    WestLake plaza is still empty.

    The City council looks like a bully by stepping in with the zoning change to further TJ’s goals.

    Teriyaki Express folded.

    A lose-lose for all.

    The Davis City council, Trader Joes, and Centro Watt might consider being reasonable next time.

  155. Also, when you think of it, the City council was really shortsighted. All five of em are guilty by stepping in when they shouldn’t have. This includes Souza, Saylor, Lamar, Sue, and Ruth. They are all guilty.

    Centro Watt is out Legal fees and in the end lost $.

    Trader Joes didn’t get the location because RAS was there to begin with.

    RAS had to pay legal fees to fight Watt and Joes.

    WestLake plaza is still empty.

    The City council looks like a bully by stepping in with the zoning change to further TJ’s goals.

    Teriyaki Express folded.

    A lose-lose for all.

    The Davis City council, Trader Joes, and Centro Watt might consider being reasonable next time.

  156. Also, when you think of it, the City council was really shortsighted. All five of em are guilty by stepping in when they shouldn’t have. This includes Souza, Saylor, Lamar, Sue, and Ruth. They are all guilty.

    Centro Watt is out Legal fees and in the end lost $.

    Trader Joes didn’t get the location because RAS was there to begin with.

    RAS had to pay legal fees to fight Watt and Joes.

    WestLake plaza is still empty.

    The City council looks like a bully by stepping in with the zoning change to further TJ’s goals.

    Teriyaki Express folded.

    A lose-lose for all.

    The Davis City council, Trader Joes, and Centro Watt might consider being reasonable next time.

  157. Fist: what would you have done? What will you do? What is your answer? Where do we go from here? How many city councilmen does it take to screw up a lightbulb?

  158. Fist: what would you have done? What will you do? What is your answer? Where do we go from here? How many city councilmen does it take to screw up a lightbulb?

  159. Fist: what would you have done? What will you do? What is your answer? Where do we go from here? How many city councilmen does it take to screw up a lightbulb?

  160. Fist: what would you have done? What will you do? What is your answer? Where do we go from here? How many city councilmen does it take to screw up a lightbulb?

  161. Bush’s Fist has it exactly right.

    1)The City Council stepped in when they shouldn’t have. Univ Mall didn’t need any help attracting business, Westlake was more deserving of their efforts. Instead, the City Council members helped TJ’s strong-arm their way into a location that wasn’t suitable. Why? Bc the City Council members want to shop at TJ’s – it is their kind of snobby upscale store. It’s a gimmicky specialty store. Shame on the City Council – all five of them.

    2) RAS ended up paying whopping legal fees, even tho they did not do one thing wrong. They have been an exemplary tenant as far as anyone knows. Kudos for RAS for fighting back against an unfair attempted takeover.

    3) Centro Watt ended up paying whopping big legal fees for nothing, now has a lousy reputation as a landlord that can’t be trusted to keep the terms of its leases. They destroyed a perfectly good neighborhood business that served healthy food to its student customers – Teriyaki Express. It was replaced by practically the same sort of business. Not the way to generate good will, a necessary component of any good business. Shame on Centro Watt.

    4) TJ’s ended up with a black eye, and many customers who no longer want them in town. Don’t be so sure it wasn’t TJ’s decision to not bother expanding into Davis. Well good riddance to bad rubbish! Shame on TJ’s.

    “Fist: what would you have done? What will you do? What is your answer? Where do we go from here?”

    How about making sure everyone operates from a sense of fair play. That would be for starters. Then have the City Council concentrate its efforts on encouraging businesses into ailing malls, not ones that are already thriving. The City Council wastes more time on creating nonissues than it does on addressing the pressing ones.

  162. Bush’s Fist has it exactly right.

    1)The City Council stepped in when they shouldn’t have. Univ Mall didn’t need any help attracting business, Westlake was more deserving of their efforts. Instead, the City Council members helped TJ’s strong-arm their way into a location that wasn’t suitable. Why? Bc the City Council members want to shop at TJ’s – it is their kind of snobby upscale store. It’s a gimmicky specialty store. Shame on the City Council – all five of them.

    2) RAS ended up paying whopping legal fees, even tho they did not do one thing wrong. They have been an exemplary tenant as far as anyone knows. Kudos for RAS for fighting back against an unfair attempted takeover.

    3) Centro Watt ended up paying whopping big legal fees for nothing, now has a lousy reputation as a landlord that can’t be trusted to keep the terms of its leases. They destroyed a perfectly good neighborhood business that served healthy food to its student customers – Teriyaki Express. It was replaced by practically the same sort of business. Not the way to generate good will, a necessary component of any good business. Shame on Centro Watt.

    4) TJ’s ended up with a black eye, and many customers who no longer want them in town. Don’t be so sure it wasn’t TJ’s decision to not bother expanding into Davis. Well good riddance to bad rubbish! Shame on TJ’s.

    “Fist: what would you have done? What will you do? What is your answer? Where do we go from here?”

    How about making sure everyone operates from a sense of fair play. That would be for starters. Then have the City Council concentrate its efforts on encouraging businesses into ailing malls, not ones that are already thriving. The City Council wastes more time on creating nonissues than it does on addressing the pressing ones.

  163. Bush’s Fist has it exactly right.

    1)The City Council stepped in when they shouldn’t have. Univ Mall didn’t need any help attracting business, Westlake was more deserving of their efforts. Instead, the City Council members helped TJ’s strong-arm their way into a location that wasn’t suitable. Why? Bc the City Council members want to shop at TJ’s – it is their kind of snobby upscale store. It’s a gimmicky specialty store. Shame on the City Council – all five of them.

    2) RAS ended up paying whopping legal fees, even tho they did not do one thing wrong. They have been an exemplary tenant as far as anyone knows. Kudos for RAS for fighting back against an unfair attempted takeover.

    3) Centro Watt ended up paying whopping big legal fees for nothing, now has a lousy reputation as a landlord that can’t be trusted to keep the terms of its leases. They destroyed a perfectly good neighborhood business that served healthy food to its student customers – Teriyaki Express. It was replaced by practically the same sort of business. Not the way to generate good will, a necessary component of any good business. Shame on Centro Watt.

    4) TJ’s ended up with a black eye, and many customers who no longer want them in town. Don’t be so sure it wasn’t TJ’s decision to not bother expanding into Davis. Well good riddance to bad rubbish! Shame on TJ’s.

    “Fist: what would you have done? What will you do? What is your answer? Where do we go from here?”

    How about making sure everyone operates from a sense of fair play. That would be for starters. Then have the City Council concentrate its efforts on encouraging businesses into ailing malls, not ones that are already thriving. The City Council wastes more time on creating nonissues than it does on addressing the pressing ones.

  164. Bush’s Fist has it exactly right.

    1)The City Council stepped in when they shouldn’t have. Univ Mall didn’t need any help attracting business, Westlake was more deserving of their efforts. Instead, the City Council members helped TJ’s strong-arm their way into a location that wasn’t suitable. Why? Bc the City Council members want to shop at TJ’s – it is their kind of snobby upscale store. It’s a gimmicky specialty store. Shame on the City Council – all five of them.

    2) RAS ended up paying whopping legal fees, even tho they did not do one thing wrong. They have been an exemplary tenant as far as anyone knows. Kudos for RAS for fighting back against an unfair attempted takeover.

    3) Centro Watt ended up paying whopping big legal fees for nothing, now has a lousy reputation as a landlord that can’t be trusted to keep the terms of its leases. They destroyed a perfectly good neighborhood business that served healthy food to its student customers – Teriyaki Express. It was replaced by practically the same sort of business. Not the way to generate good will, a necessary component of any good business. Shame on Centro Watt.

    4) TJ’s ended up with a black eye, and many customers who no longer want them in town. Don’t be so sure it wasn’t TJ’s decision to not bother expanding into Davis. Well good riddance to bad rubbish! Shame on TJ’s.

    “Fist: what would you have done? What will you do? What is your answer? Where do we go from here?”

    How about making sure everyone operates from a sense of fair play. That would be for starters. Then have the City Council concentrate its efforts on encouraging businesses into ailing malls, not ones that are already thriving. The City Council wastes more time on creating nonissues than it does on addressing the pressing ones.

  165. We’ve been hearing about Trader Joe’s for years. When I heard that they snubbed the idea of locating in the E. Davis (former Ralph’s) location, as well as the W. Davis (former Ray’s) location, I called and spoke with the self described “man in charge”.
    Having moved to Davis from Danville in 1996, I know what their locations in the E. Bay are like. The Danville location was a less than premium location, it wasn’t upscale when they rented it. Concord location is equally unimpressive. When I spoke with the TJ’s rep, he told me that they were not interested in an older, unattractive (paraphrasing here) location. I asked why, when their previous formula worked so well, they decided to change, and he told me that the locations I cited may have been less desirable years ago, but that they’d changed. I really don’t get it. Does TJ’s just not understand that people in Davis will bike, walk or ride to their location? Do they think they need an upscale storefront? Any location in Davis would draw people. Granted, there might be more walk by traffic in an upscale location, but I really believe that TJ’s would be a destination more than something people stopped at because it was in their trajectory. So…message to TJ’s…HEY!!! We really do want a Trader Joe’s in Davis! We don’t care if it’s in a fancy shopping center or not, we’re capable of making a little trek across town. Go back to the old model of choosing locations, please!

  166. We’ve been hearing about Trader Joe’s for years. When I heard that they snubbed the idea of locating in the E. Davis (former Ralph’s) location, as well as the W. Davis (former Ray’s) location, I called and spoke with the self described “man in charge”.
    Having moved to Davis from Danville in 1996, I know what their locations in the E. Bay are like. The Danville location was a less than premium location, it wasn’t upscale when they rented it. Concord location is equally unimpressive. When I spoke with the TJ’s rep, he told me that they were not interested in an older, unattractive (paraphrasing here) location. I asked why, when their previous formula worked so well, they decided to change, and he told me that the locations I cited may have been less desirable years ago, but that they’d changed. I really don’t get it. Does TJ’s just not understand that people in Davis will bike, walk or ride to their location? Do they think they need an upscale storefront? Any location in Davis would draw people. Granted, there might be more walk by traffic in an upscale location, but I really believe that TJ’s would be a destination more than something people stopped at because it was in their trajectory. So…message to TJ’s…HEY!!! We really do want a Trader Joe’s in Davis! We don’t care if it’s in a fancy shopping center or not, we’re capable of making a little trek across town. Go back to the old model of choosing locations, please!

  167. We’ve been hearing about Trader Joe’s for years. When I heard that they snubbed the idea of locating in the E. Davis (former Ralph’s) location, as well as the W. Davis (former Ray’s) location, I called and spoke with the self described “man in charge”.
    Having moved to Davis from Danville in 1996, I know what their locations in the E. Bay are like. The Danville location was a less than premium location, it wasn’t upscale when they rented it. Concord location is equally unimpressive. When I spoke with the TJ’s rep, he told me that they were not interested in an older, unattractive (paraphrasing here) location. I asked why, when their previous formula worked so well, they decided to change, and he told me that the locations I cited may have been less desirable years ago, but that they’d changed. I really don’t get it. Does TJ’s just not understand that people in Davis will bike, walk or ride to their location? Do they think they need an upscale storefront? Any location in Davis would draw people. Granted, there might be more walk by traffic in an upscale location, but I really believe that TJ’s would be a destination more than something people stopped at because it was in their trajectory. So…message to TJ’s…HEY!!! We really do want a Trader Joe’s in Davis! We don’t care if it’s in a fancy shopping center or not, we’re capable of making a little trek across town. Go back to the old model of choosing locations, please!

  168. We’ve been hearing about Trader Joe’s for years. When I heard that they snubbed the idea of locating in the E. Davis (former Ralph’s) location, as well as the W. Davis (former Ray’s) location, I called and spoke with the self described “man in charge”.
    Having moved to Davis from Danville in 1996, I know what their locations in the E. Bay are like. The Danville location was a less than premium location, it wasn’t upscale when they rented it. Concord location is equally unimpressive. When I spoke with the TJ’s rep, he told me that they were not interested in an older, unattractive (paraphrasing here) location. I asked why, when their previous formula worked so well, they decided to change, and he told me that the locations I cited may have been less desirable years ago, but that they’d changed. I really don’t get it. Does TJ’s just not understand that people in Davis will bike, walk or ride to their location? Do they think they need an upscale storefront? Any location in Davis would draw people. Granted, there might be more walk by traffic in an upscale location, but I really believe that TJ’s would be a destination more than something people stopped at because it was in their trajectory. So…message to TJ’s…HEY!!! We really do want a Trader Joe’s in Davis! We don’t care if it’s in a fancy shopping center or not, we’re capable of making a little trek across town. Go back to the old model of choosing locations, please!

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