ABC Determines Westlake a High Crime Reporting District –
ABC Determines Westlake a High Crime Reporting District – The Vanguard however was floored to learn that currently, the Westlake Market is having trouble obtaining a liquor license because the State Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) has deemed the district to be a high crime reporting district.
Here’s the scoop on that however. Apparently of the 4,671 total reported offenses taking place in Davis in the preceding 12 month period, the district west of Highway 113 accounted for 1,568 or just over one third of the told. The average of the four districts is 1168, therefore the sector exceeds the 120% of the average number of offenses.
The Vanguard spoke with Davis Police Chief Landy Black. He informed us, that ABC has not requested crime data from the police department. He said that as a matter of policy, for the liquor licensees in the downtown area, due to that being an alcohol impact area, ABC requests crime data from us before taking licensing action. However, this is not required for licensing actions outside the alcohol impact area.
He did suggest that “this is not an area fraught with a significant amount of crime of the nature generally associated with liquor licensees.”
Basically there is a good deal of property crime but not disturbances and street crime that would normally be a problem for ABC.
Nevertheless, it appears that this item will go on the January 6, 2010 Planning Commission agenda so the matter can be appealed and dealt with in time for the store’s opening on January 15.
If there is ever a bizarre bureaucratic policy that makes no sense, here is one.
Back to the store itself… Some Bumps in the Road but Still Set to Open January 15
The most interesting aspect of the store is the feel. When one hears the size is less than 12,000 square feet, one things of a tiny store, however, the layout is such that the store does not feel that small. Mr. DeLano believes that with the small space limitations, the produce and products will be forced to be rotated quickly in order to keep the products fresh and on the shelves–two of the key complaints from previous stores.
There will be a relatively large produce section, featuring over 50 organic food products all from local growers. In fact, that is among the key themes–the use of local growers, local bakery, and other local suppliers that will help reduce costs, reduce the carbon footprint of long distance transportation, and at the same time help the local economy.
The market will offer a full range of products, but perhaps not as many different brands. Mr. DeLano explained that they will probably go with the most popular brand of a given item and then perhaps also carry their own store brand. However, he also stressed that they will base a lot of what they carry both on what sells and customer requests. The idea will be to supply what the customers want.
The interesting challenge will be to develop a store unique to Davis. No two of their stores are the same. Each has a unique layout and unique product offerings. They will also have a good fresh deli section, a bakery with bagels and fresh bread, a sushi section, and some take-out sections.
Environmental Efficiency
Mr. DeLano is committed to environmental responsibility, even though he insisted he’s a grocer and his job is to supply people with food to eat and he is not political involved. Nevertheless, he is employing a variable speed refrigeration system that he boasts will be only the second one of its kind in use.
On the tour, I saw the full system. It is demonstrated to be between 20 and 50 percent more efficient than currently available conventional systems.
“The Westlake IGA Market will use a custom designed, state of the art refrigeration system for cooling and freezing the various food display and storage units, This unit is expected to reduce power usage by up to 50%, and greatly reduces the copper tubing and coolant typically required using a conventional system.”
In addition, they will be developing their own reusable bag so that they can avoid using the disposable plastic bags that are harmful to the environment. Mr. DeLano told me that plastic bags are horrible and he is a tree hugger and that paper bags result in the cutting down of trees.
A few closing thoughts. There is still some skepticism as to whether a Grocery Store can exist and compete there. My sense is that they can if they are able to supply West Davis with good products at a decent price and keep products on their shelves and produce fresh. Frankly if this guy doesn’t succeed with 55 years of experience, no one will at this location. To do so, they will have to be flexible, tailoring their merchandise to their customer and adaptable.
This will not be store that is all things to all people. It’s not going to be a place where people stock up on bulk paper products. It is a place where they can do their everyday shopping, get some good meals to go, and purchase from good local suppliers.
—David M. Greenwald reporting
Good luck to the Delano’s. Even though I am from South Davis (hence SODA) I will visit the new store. One question, why the name? Isn’t IGA a franchise name similar to Medicine Shoppe, etc? I would have thought Delano’s would have been more personal.
[quote]Westlake Market is having trouble obtaining a liquor license because the State Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) has deemed the district to be a high crime reporting district. … (Police Chief Landy Black) said that as a matter of policy for the liquor licensees in the downtown area, due to that being an alcohol impact area, ABC requests crime data from us before taking licensing action. [/quote] On the Davis PD website, there is a feature called “crime mapper.” ([url]http://maps.ci.davis.ca.us/gis/crimemap/view.htm [/url]) It allows you to generate a map of any type of crime or any combination of crimes which took place in all of Davis or in any part of Davis over the last 12 months or in a more recent time frame.
I generated maps for the Lake Blvd and Arlington Blvd area and compared that neighborhood with the rest of Davis. It does not appear to be a high crime area. I did notice on Lake Boulevard, however, a rash of crimes against English: [quote]To do so, they will have to be flexible, tailoring their merchandise to their customer and adaptable.[/quote]