The Latest Installment in ‘As Trader Joe’s Turns’

When the owners of University Mall decided to sue Radiological Associates of Sacramento in an attempt to force them to vacate their spot at the University Mall in order to pave the way for Trader Joe’s to arrive, we figured that was a politically bad move. Clearly it changed some of public opinion on Trader Joe’s arrival to Davis itself.

As it turns out, it was also bad law. The Davis Enterprise reports this morning that Yolo County Superior Court Judge Tim Fall granted a motion to strike a complaint that he had previous amended because it too was faulty. The motion to strike throws out the lawsuit.

According to the attorney representing RAS, Steve Boutin, the landlords had preferred to file a lawsuit to negotiating some sort of agreement between the two sides.

“Their lawsuit was faulty and premature… What they had to do was say ‘Here are the conditions under which we can relocate and how we can do it.’ What they did was create a very mushy situation which we didn’t even have an opportunity to respond to… Their attitude has been ‘Hey, see you in court,’ rather than talking…. Where it goes from here is up to Centro Watt [the property managers]. Our sense is that they’re anxious to get Trader Joe’s in there, but my clients intend to continue to provide radiological services.”

All the more reason it was ridiculous for Trader Joe’s to announce that they were coming to Davis in 2008. It’s a shame and frankly I have lost most of my interest in them coming here because of all this. No they did not sue RAS, but they might as well have. They insisted that the only place that they would locate was University Mall.

The problems with that location go beyond the fact that the space they want to move into is occupied by another business.

I see three primary problems with that location. First traffic. The area from Sycamore to Anderson along Russell as well as on those two side streets are among the most congested in the city of Davis. So the city wants to put in a store that will greatly add to the traffic? That makes little sense.

Second, parking is already bad at university mall. Now you are going to add another store that will bring in a ton of traffic that needs to park. Moreover, any overlap between Trader Joe’s and the Graduate events could make parking a huge nightmare.

Finally, and this is an ongoing problem, anyone who parks at University Mall during the winter season is a target for the Crow shooting gallery. I remember parking the car for five minutes last year to get a coffee for my wife, and coming out of the coffee shop the car was literally covered in droppings.

Add to that, the problem that we have basically two shopping centers literally dying for an anchor and the location that is already taken makes zero sense whatsoever.

The argument that Trader Joe’s wants to be close to the center of town and by a highway makes little sense either. People in Davis will come to a Trader Joe’s, period. We could put it out in the fields of the Northwest Quadrant, two miles outside of town and they would come in droves. In San Luis Obispo, Trader Joe’s is located on the outskirts of town, not in the town’s center. Doesn’t stop people from going there. If Trader Joe’s does not stop this insanity they will never come and people will get tired of it. They already are.

This is my favorite part of the article from the Enterprise:

“At City Council meetings and in letters to the editor, Davis residents have questioned why Trader Joe’s doesn’t open its store in one of Davis’ vacant grocery store sites, one in Westlake Plaza on Lake Boulevard in West Davis and the other in the Davis Manor Shopping Center on East Eighth Street.”

They will not say it, but every story we have written in the Vanguard, on the issue has raised the question over and over again. But it is funny that the townfolk seem to know so much more than the business owners themselves. Perhaps representatives from Trader Joe’s ought to listen to their potential customers and ditch the corporate charts.

—Doug Paul Davis 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

128 comments

  1. Great story and very good news! I whole-heartedly agree with you about the location issue. There are zero benefits for the city at University Mall and countless reasons to go to our other two locations. If Trader Joes can’t live with the two choices that would actually help our community, then we can do without them.

    My wife currently drives to Vacaville to TJ. She would be delighted go to West Davis, or(as long as its in daylight) even East Davis 😉

  2. Great story and very good news! I whole-heartedly agree with you about the location issue. There are zero benefits for the city at University Mall and countless reasons to go to our other two locations. If Trader Joes can’t live with the two choices that would actually help our community, then we can do without them.

    My wife currently drives to Vacaville to TJ. She would be delighted go to West Davis, or(as long as its in daylight) even East Davis 😉

  3. Great story and very good news! I whole-heartedly agree with you about the location issue. There are zero benefits for the city at University Mall and countless reasons to go to our other two locations. If Trader Joes can’t live with the two choices that would actually help our community, then we can do without them.

    My wife currently drives to Vacaville to TJ. She would be delighted go to West Davis, or(as long as its in daylight) even East Davis 😉

  4. Great story and very good news! I whole-heartedly agree with you about the location issue. There are zero benefits for the city at University Mall and countless reasons to go to our other two locations. If Trader Joes can’t live with the two choices that would actually help our community, then we can do without them.

    My wife currently drives to Vacaville to TJ. She would be delighted go to West Davis, or(as long as its in daylight) even East Davis 😉

  5. DPD’s piece here should be titled “Commentary”. This battle between RAS and the Mall owners is about MONEY.
    Prediction-RAS will agree to move if the Mall owners make them a generous enough offer to “compensate” them. The only question is whether Centro is willing to pay RAS’s price. If not, TJ’s waits in the wing as University Mall is THEIR choice and they have never had Davis on the must-have location list. The University site will be just as desirable in the future when/if a financial agreement is reached, a future court decision, or the expiration of RAS’s lease. RAS can also expect that the Mall owners will make their life in University Mall as uncomfortable as is legally possible. Bottom line.. RAS is out of there.

  6. DPD’s piece here should be titled “Commentary”. This battle between RAS and the Mall owners is about MONEY.
    Prediction-RAS will agree to move if the Mall owners make them a generous enough offer to “compensate” them. The only question is whether Centro is willing to pay RAS’s price. If not, TJ’s waits in the wing as University Mall is THEIR choice and they have never had Davis on the must-have location list. The University site will be just as desirable in the future when/if a financial agreement is reached, a future court decision, or the expiration of RAS’s lease. RAS can also expect that the Mall owners will make their life in University Mall as uncomfortable as is legally possible. Bottom line.. RAS is out of there.

  7. DPD’s piece here should be titled “Commentary”. This battle between RAS and the Mall owners is about MONEY.
    Prediction-RAS will agree to move if the Mall owners make them a generous enough offer to “compensate” them. The only question is whether Centro is willing to pay RAS’s price. If not, TJ’s waits in the wing as University Mall is THEIR choice and they have never had Davis on the must-have location list. The University site will be just as desirable in the future when/if a financial agreement is reached, a future court decision, or the expiration of RAS’s lease. RAS can also expect that the Mall owners will make their life in University Mall as uncomfortable as is legally possible. Bottom line.. RAS is out of there.

  8. DPD’s piece here should be titled “Commentary”. This battle between RAS and the Mall owners is about MONEY.
    Prediction-RAS will agree to move if the Mall owners make them a generous enough offer to “compensate” them. The only question is whether Centro is willing to pay RAS’s price. If not, TJ’s waits in the wing as University Mall is THEIR choice and they have never had Davis on the must-have location list. The University site will be just as desirable in the future when/if a financial agreement is reached, a future court decision, or the expiration of RAS’s lease. RAS can also expect that the Mall owners will make their life in University Mall as uncomfortable as is legally possible. Bottom line.. RAS is out of there.

  9. I have read your connection between Centro and TJ’s and I think it’s tenuous. TJ’s doesn’t tell Centro how to conduct their business, only that they want to be a tenant in what they view to be the best possible location. I agree that TJ’s will do well anywhere in Davis, but can we really fault them for wanting to be in the optimal spot? If this location bogs down for long enough to void their current agreement or becomes impossible we will undoubtedly see TJ’s coming to a different spot in town.

    Personally, I would love to see TJ’s go into the current Gottschalks location. Nobody shops there and it would be big enough to house a TJ’s with no real loss to the community. Once Target opens there will be even less reason for their cheap nicknacks and clothing. And it’s walking distance from my house.

  10. I have read your connection between Centro and TJ’s and I think it’s tenuous. TJ’s doesn’t tell Centro how to conduct their business, only that they want to be a tenant in what they view to be the best possible location. I agree that TJ’s will do well anywhere in Davis, but can we really fault them for wanting to be in the optimal spot? If this location bogs down for long enough to void their current agreement or becomes impossible we will undoubtedly see TJ’s coming to a different spot in town.

    Personally, I would love to see TJ’s go into the current Gottschalks location. Nobody shops there and it would be big enough to house a TJ’s with no real loss to the community. Once Target opens there will be even less reason for their cheap nicknacks and clothing. And it’s walking distance from my house.

  11. I have read your connection between Centro and TJ’s and I think it’s tenuous. TJ’s doesn’t tell Centro how to conduct their business, only that they want to be a tenant in what they view to be the best possible location. I agree that TJ’s will do well anywhere in Davis, but can we really fault them for wanting to be in the optimal spot? If this location bogs down for long enough to void their current agreement or becomes impossible we will undoubtedly see TJ’s coming to a different spot in town.

    Personally, I would love to see TJ’s go into the current Gottschalks location. Nobody shops there and it would be big enough to house a TJ’s with no real loss to the community. Once Target opens there will be even less reason for their cheap nicknacks and clothing. And it’s walking distance from my house.

  12. I have read your connection between Centro and TJ’s and I think it’s tenuous. TJ’s doesn’t tell Centro how to conduct their business, only that they want to be a tenant in what they view to be the best possible location. I agree that TJ’s will do well anywhere in Davis, but can we really fault them for wanting to be in the optimal spot? If this location bogs down for long enough to void their current agreement or becomes impossible we will undoubtedly see TJ’s coming to a different spot in town.

    Personally, I would love to see TJ’s go into the current Gottschalks location. Nobody shops there and it would be big enough to house a TJ’s with no real loss to the community. Once Target opens there will be even less reason for their cheap nicknacks and clothing. And it’s walking distance from my house.

  13. Trader Joe’s has been this clueless before. They originally wouldn’t locate in napa, because they said they didn’t think they would have enough customers. Then a couple years later they did come to Napa, and now the store is expanding. They are very picky about where they go, but have no clue that their customers will travel great distance to shop there.

  14. Trader Joe’s has been this clueless before. They originally wouldn’t locate in napa, because they said they didn’t think they would have enough customers. Then a couple years later they did come to Napa, and now the store is expanding. They are very picky about where they go, but have no clue that their customers will travel great distance to shop there.

  15. Trader Joe’s has been this clueless before. They originally wouldn’t locate in napa, because they said they didn’t think they would have enough customers. Then a couple years later they did come to Napa, and now the store is expanding. They are very picky about where they go, but have no clue that their customers will travel great distance to shop there.

  16. Trader Joe’s has been this clueless before. They originally wouldn’t locate in napa, because they said they didn’t think they would have enough customers. Then a couple years later they did come to Napa, and now the store is expanding. They are very picky about where they go, but have no clue that their customers will travel great distance to shop there.

  17. “University Mall during the winter season is a target for the Crow shooting gallery.”

    ….having disease-carrying(histoplasmosis, etc.) bird feces raining down is not the best environment for sick people and/or elderly people with impaired immune systems coming to RAS at University Mall.

  18. “University Mall during the winter season is a target for the Crow shooting gallery.”

    ….having disease-carrying(histoplasmosis, etc.) bird feces raining down is not the best environment for sick people and/or elderly people with impaired immune systems coming to RAS at University Mall.

  19. “University Mall during the winter season is a target for the Crow shooting gallery.”

    ….having disease-carrying(histoplasmosis, etc.) bird feces raining down is not the best environment for sick people and/or elderly people with impaired immune systems coming to RAS at University Mall.

  20. “University Mall during the winter season is a target for the Crow shooting gallery.”

    ….having disease-carrying(histoplasmosis, etc.) bird feces raining down is not the best environment for sick people and/or elderly people with impaired immune systems coming to RAS at University Mall.

  21. Irregardless of the tenants located at University Mall I won’t shop there because of the crow problem. It’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t TJ’s want to set up shop in the same locale as Target? It’s near the freeway and will look like every other mega-corp outdoor mall in Anytown, USA. They should fit right in.

  22. Irregardless of the tenants located at University Mall I won’t shop there because of the crow problem. It’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t TJ’s want to set up shop in the same locale as Target? It’s near the freeway and will look like every other mega-corp outdoor mall in Anytown, USA. They should fit right in.

  23. Irregardless of the tenants located at University Mall I won’t shop there because of the crow problem. It’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t TJ’s want to set up shop in the same locale as Target? It’s near the freeway and will look like every other mega-corp outdoor mall in Anytown, USA. They should fit right in.

  24. Irregardless of the tenants located at University Mall I won’t shop there because of the crow problem. It’s disgusting. Why wouldn’t TJ’s want to set up shop in the same locale as Target? It’s near the freeway and will look like every other mega-corp outdoor mall in Anytown, USA. They should fit right in.

  25. “Why wouldn’t TJ’s want to set up shop in the same locale as Target?”

    My experience is that,given its druthers, TJ likes to locate in a more densely 20-30’s-something populated locations with lots of foot(bicycle) traffic making relatively small volumn purchases rather than a peripheral residential mall that would cater to families loading up their car trunk with the week’s groceries.

  26. “Why wouldn’t TJ’s want to set up shop in the same locale as Target?”

    My experience is that,given its druthers, TJ likes to locate in a more densely 20-30’s-something populated locations with lots of foot(bicycle) traffic making relatively small volumn purchases rather than a peripheral residential mall that would cater to families loading up their car trunk with the week’s groceries.

  27. “Why wouldn’t TJ’s want to set up shop in the same locale as Target?”

    My experience is that,given its druthers, TJ likes to locate in a more densely 20-30’s-something populated locations with lots of foot(bicycle) traffic making relatively small volumn purchases rather than a peripheral residential mall that would cater to families loading up their car trunk with the week’s groceries.

  28. “Why wouldn’t TJ’s want to set up shop in the same locale as Target?”

    My experience is that,given its druthers, TJ likes to locate in a more densely 20-30’s-something populated locations with lots of foot(bicycle) traffic making relatively small volumn purchases rather than a peripheral residential mall that would cater to families loading up their car trunk with the week’s groceries.

  29. “….I won’t shop there because of the crow problem.”

    I thought that they were starlings. I can’t see how crows could roost en mass in those smallish trees.

  30. “….I won’t shop there because of the crow problem.”

    I thought that they were starlings. I can’t see how crows could roost en mass in those smallish trees.

  31. “….I won’t shop there because of the crow problem.”

    I thought that they were starlings. I can’t see how crows could roost en mass in those smallish trees.

  32. “….I won’t shop there because of the crow problem.”

    I thought that they were starlings. I can’t see how crows could roost en mass in those smallish trees.

  33. You, or most of you, are fools about TJ’s coming here and how ALL will be lost if they don’t open at the U-Mall(which should just be leveled anyway..)I’m so tired of this and I haven’t even kept up with it like many of you have. I don’t give a rats A** if they come here or not. Sure hope you enjoy driving out of town when you need some of the services RAS provides. So you think some nick-nack specialty grocer is more desireable/important to have in town than RAS?? I say to TJ’s–I’m keeping my money and spending it at Costco instead…..and yes, I am fully aware they carry mutually exclusive items-so don’t bother me with that post!

  34. You, or most of you, are fools about TJ’s coming here and how ALL will be lost if they don’t open at the U-Mall(which should just be leveled anyway..)I’m so tired of this and I haven’t even kept up with it like many of you have. I don’t give a rats A** if they come here or not. Sure hope you enjoy driving out of town when you need some of the services RAS provides. So you think some nick-nack specialty grocer is more desireable/important to have in town than RAS?? I say to TJ’s–I’m keeping my money and spending it at Costco instead…..and yes, I am fully aware they carry mutually exclusive items-so don’t bother me with that post!

  35. You, or most of you, are fools about TJ’s coming here and how ALL will be lost if they don’t open at the U-Mall(which should just be leveled anyway..)I’m so tired of this and I haven’t even kept up with it like many of you have. I don’t give a rats A** if they come here or not. Sure hope you enjoy driving out of town when you need some of the services RAS provides. So you think some nick-nack specialty grocer is more desireable/important to have in town than RAS?? I say to TJ’s–I’m keeping my money and spending it at Costco instead…..and yes, I am fully aware they carry mutually exclusive items-so don’t bother me with that post!

  36. You, or most of you, are fools about TJ’s coming here and how ALL will be lost if they don’t open at the U-Mall(which should just be leveled anyway..)I’m so tired of this and I haven’t even kept up with it like many of you have. I don’t give a rats A** if they come here or not. Sure hope you enjoy driving out of town when you need some of the services RAS provides. So you think some nick-nack specialty grocer is more desireable/important to have in town than RAS?? I say to TJ’s–I’m keeping my money and spending it at Costco instead…..and yes, I am fully aware they carry mutually exclusive items-so don’t bother me with that post!

  37. And to DPD-you can post anything with any label, anytime….I for one am smart enough to know when I’m reading commentary/opinion. Keep up the outstanding coverage!

  38. And to DPD-you can post anything with any label, anytime….I for one am smart enough to know when I’m reading commentary/opinion. Keep up the outstanding coverage!

  39. And to DPD-you can post anything with any label, anytime….I for one am smart enough to know when I’m reading commentary/opinion. Keep up the outstanding coverage!

  40. And to DPD-you can post anything with any label, anytime….I for one am smart enough to know when I’m reading commentary/opinion. Keep up the outstanding coverage!

  41. While it is not a “central location,” I wonder if in the end Trader Joe’s won’t end up on East Second Street in the Target Mall complex?

    There are plans there for smaller stores. Even if the “smaller” stores being planned for are far larger than Trader Joe’s would be, I’m sure they could be accommodated at that site. There is plenty parking and freeway traffic. Also, there will be no poopy crows at the Target mall for at least 15 years, probably longer.

    It is my understanding that the construction on Target will begin next year. If the RAS situation is not settled in such a way which allows Trader Joe’s to move into that space outside of the University Mall, Trader Joe’s might be convinced to go to East Second Street a year from now.

    It sounds like their corporate model defines the locations they are looking for, and that model has nixed the chances for other sites in Davis. Yet, I do wonder, if someone persuasive from the City of Davis travelled down to Monrovia, east of Pasadena, where Trader Joe’s is headquartered, and spoke with their executives in person, would it not be possible to change Trader Joe’s mind? Might they make an exception for a Davis store on Lake Boulevard, the place where everyone I know in Davis believes is the optimal site?

  42. While it is not a “central location,” I wonder if in the end Trader Joe’s won’t end up on East Second Street in the Target Mall complex?

    There are plans there for smaller stores. Even if the “smaller” stores being planned for are far larger than Trader Joe’s would be, I’m sure they could be accommodated at that site. There is plenty parking and freeway traffic. Also, there will be no poopy crows at the Target mall for at least 15 years, probably longer.

    It is my understanding that the construction on Target will begin next year. If the RAS situation is not settled in such a way which allows Trader Joe’s to move into that space outside of the University Mall, Trader Joe’s might be convinced to go to East Second Street a year from now.

    It sounds like their corporate model defines the locations they are looking for, and that model has nixed the chances for other sites in Davis. Yet, I do wonder, if someone persuasive from the City of Davis travelled down to Monrovia, east of Pasadena, where Trader Joe’s is headquartered, and spoke with their executives in person, would it not be possible to change Trader Joe’s mind? Might they make an exception for a Davis store on Lake Boulevard, the place where everyone I know in Davis believes is the optimal site?

  43. While it is not a “central location,” I wonder if in the end Trader Joe’s won’t end up on East Second Street in the Target Mall complex?

    There are plans there for smaller stores. Even if the “smaller” stores being planned for are far larger than Trader Joe’s would be, I’m sure they could be accommodated at that site. There is plenty parking and freeway traffic. Also, there will be no poopy crows at the Target mall for at least 15 years, probably longer.

    It is my understanding that the construction on Target will begin next year. If the RAS situation is not settled in such a way which allows Trader Joe’s to move into that space outside of the University Mall, Trader Joe’s might be convinced to go to East Second Street a year from now.

    It sounds like their corporate model defines the locations they are looking for, and that model has nixed the chances for other sites in Davis. Yet, I do wonder, if someone persuasive from the City of Davis travelled down to Monrovia, east of Pasadena, where Trader Joe’s is headquartered, and spoke with their executives in person, would it not be possible to change Trader Joe’s mind? Might they make an exception for a Davis store on Lake Boulevard, the place where everyone I know in Davis believes is the optimal site?

  44. While it is not a “central location,” I wonder if in the end Trader Joe’s won’t end up on East Second Street in the Target Mall complex?

    There are plans there for smaller stores. Even if the “smaller” stores being planned for are far larger than Trader Joe’s would be, I’m sure they could be accommodated at that site. There is plenty parking and freeway traffic. Also, there will be no poopy crows at the Target mall for at least 15 years, probably longer.

    It is my understanding that the construction on Target will begin next year. If the RAS situation is not settled in such a way which allows Trader Joe’s to move into that space outside of the University Mall, Trader Joe’s might be convinced to go to East Second Street a year from now.

    It sounds like their corporate model defines the locations they are looking for, and that model has nixed the chances for other sites in Davis. Yet, I do wonder, if someone persuasive from the City of Davis travelled down to Monrovia, east of Pasadena, where Trader Joe’s is headquartered, and spoke with their executives in person, would it not be possible to change Trader Joe’s mind? Might they make an exception for a Davis store on Lake Boulevard, the place where everyone I know in Davis believes is the optimal site?

  45. if someone persuasive from the City of Davis travelled down to Monrovia, east of Pasadena, where Trader Joe’s is headquartered, and spoke with their executives in person, would it not be possible to change Trader Joe’s mind?
    **NEWS FLASH**
    Rich, I have news for you; we have never been as important as WE think we are. TJ’s has bigger things to tackle besides dealing with us and our laundry list of problems. If we give them enough grief/STATIC they’ll just disappear(okay by me..) As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..) As for who goes to Monrovia and wastes their time/energy and fuel-I nominate YOU!! Go for it, knock yourself out….I’ll hold off on my laughter. -Fred W

  46. if someone persuasive from the City of Davis travelled down to Monrovia, east of Pasadena, where Trader Joe’s is headquartered, and spoke with their executives in person, would it not be possible to change Trader Joe’s mind?
    **NEWS FLASH**
    Rich, I have news for you; we have never been as important as WE think we are. TJ’s has bigger things to tackle besides dealing with us and our laundry list of problems. If we give them enough grief/STATIC they’ll just disappear(okay by me..) As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..) As for who goes to Monrovia and wastes their time/energy and fuel-I nominate YOU!! Go for it, knock yourself out….I’ll hold off on my laughter. -Fred W

  47. if someone persuasive from the City of Davis travelled down to Monrovia, east of Pasadena, where Trader Joe’s is headquartered, and spoke with their executives in person, would it not be possible to change Trader Joe’s mind?
    **NEWS FLASH**
    Rich, I have news for you; we have never been as important as WE think we are. TJ’s has bigger things to tackle besides dealing with us and our laundry list of problems. If we give them enough grief/STATIC they’ll just disappear(okay by me..) As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..) As for who goes to Monrovia and wastes their time/energy and fuel-I nominate YOU!! Go for it, knock yourself out….I’ll hold off on my laughter. -Fred W

  48. if someone persuasive from the City of Davis travelled down to Monrovia, east of Pasadena, where Trader Joe’s is headquartered, and spoke with their executives in person, would it not be possible to change Trader Joe’s mind?
    **NEWS FLASH**
    Rich, I have news for you; we have never been as important as WE think we are. TJ’s has bigger things to tackle besides dealing with us and our laundry list of problems. If we give them enough grief/STATIC they’ll just disappear(okay by me..) As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..) As for who goes to Monrovia and wastes their time/energy and fuel-I nominate YOU!! Go for it, knock yourself out….I’ll hold off on my laughter. -Fred W

  49. “Rich, I have news for you;”

    Thanks for sharing, Fred.

    “We have never been as important as WE think we are.”

    Trader Joe’s apparently believes we are important enough to open a store in. I make no assumptions about our importance beyond that.

    “TJ’s has bigger things to tackle besides dealing with us and our laundry list of problems.”

    Of course. However, corporations, when broken down into smaller units, are made up of people. And if we found the sympathetic ear of a person, as opposed to “corporate policy,” we might find Trader Joe’s is more flexible than they appear thus far to be.

    “If we give them enough grief/STATIC they’ll just disappear(okay by me..)”

    I am not suggesting we give them grief. That is your misinterpretation. Up to this point, the City of Davis has been bending over backward to accommodate Trader Joe’s needs (because so many people here have for so long hoped to have them locate here). The grief has all been between the owners of Universtiy Mall and their tenant, RAS.

    “As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..)”

    Perhaps you could explain why not, Fred W?

    “As for who goes to Monrovia and wastes their time/energy and fuel-I nominate YOU!!”

    I don’t work for or represent the City of Davis, Fred. I’m not an elected official. I was thinking of Ken Hiatt. (Sue addressed this in her post.) I wouldn’t suggest Ken flies down South without an appointment. But I do believe that a presentation in person can sometimes be more effective than one made by mail or over the phone.

    Yet Fred, perhaps you know more about this question than I do. If you claim some sort of omniscience on how companies respond to such appeals, I will defer to your superior knowledge.

    I’ll hold off on my laughter.”

    Is that what you call that psycholtic cackling noise you were making?

  50. “Rich, I have news for you;”

    Thanks for sharing, Fred.

    “We have never been as important as WE think we are.”

    Trader Joe’s apparently believes we are important enough to open a store in. I make no assumptions about our importance beyond that.

    “TJ’s has bigger things to tackle besides dealing with us and our laundry list of problems.”

    Of course. However, corporations, when broken down into smaller units, are made up of people. And if we found the sympathetic ear of a person, as opposed to “corporate policy,” we might find Trader Joe’s is more flexible than they appear thus far to be.

    “If we give them enough grief/STATIC they’ll just disappear(okay by me..)”

    I am not suggesting we give them grief. That is your misinterpretation. Up to this point, the City of Davis has been bending over backward to accommodate Trader Joe’s needs (because so many people here have for so long hoped to have them locate here). The grief has all been between the owners of Universtiy Mall and their tenant, RAS.

    “As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..)”

    Perhaps you could explain why not, Fred W?

    “As for who goes to Monrovia and wastes their time/energy and fuel-I nominate YOU!!”

    I don’t work for or represent the City of Davis, Fred. I’m not an elected official. I was thinking of Ken Hiatt. (Sue addressed this in her post.) I wouldn’t suggest Ken flies down South without an appointment. But I do believe that a presentation in person can sometimes be more effective than one made by mail or over the phone.

    Yet Fred, perhaps you know more about this question than I do. If you claim some sort of omniscience on how companies respond to such appeals, I will defer to your superior knowledge.

    I’ll hold off on my laughter.”

    Is that what you call that psycholtic cackling noise you were making?

  51. “Rich, I have news for you;”

    Thanks for sharing, Fred.

    “We have never been as important as WE think we are.”

    Trader Joe’s apparently believes we are important enough to open a store in. I make no assumptions about our importance beyond that.

    “TJ’s has bigger things to tackle besides dealing with us and our laundry list of problems.”

    Of course. However, corporations, when broken down into smaller units, are made up of people. And if we found the sympathetic ear of a person, as opposed to “corporate policy,” we might find Trader Joe’s is more flexible than they appear thus far to be.

    “If we give them enough grief/STATIC they’ll just disappear(okay by me..)”

    I am not suggesting we give them grief. That is your misinterpretation. Up to this point, the City of Davis has been bending over backward to accommodate Trader Joe’s needs (because so many people here have for so long hoped to have them locate here). The grief has all been between the owners of Universtiy Mall and their tenant, RAS.

    “As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..)”

    Perhaps you could explain why not, Fred W?

    “As for who goes to Monrovia and wastes their time/energy and fuel-I nominate YOU!!”

    I don’t work for or represent the City of Davis, Fred. I’m not an elected official. I was thinking of Ken Hiatt. (Sue addressed this in her post.) I wouldn’t suggest Ken flies down South without an appointment. But I do believe that a presentation in person can sometimes be more effective than one made by mail or over the phone.

    Yet Fred, perhaps you know more about this question than I do. If you claim some sort of omniscience on how companies respond to such appeals, I will defer to your superior knowledge.

    I’ll hold off on my laughter.”

    Is that what you call that psycholtic cackling noise you were making?

  52. “Rich, I have news for you;”

    Thanks for sharing, Fred.

    “We have never been as important as WE think we are.”

    Trader Joe’s apparently believes we are important enough to open a store in. I make no assumptions about our importance beyond that.

    “TJ’s has bigger things to tackle besides dealing with us and our laundry list of problems.”

    Of course. However, corporations, when broken down into smaller units, are made up of people. And if we found the sympathetic ear of a person, as opposed to “corporate policy,” we might find Trader Joe’s is more flexible than they appear thus far to be.

    “If we give them enough grief/STATIC they’ll just disappear(okay by me..)”

    I am not suggesting we give them grief. That is your misinterpretation. Up to this point, the City of Davis has been bending over backward to accommodate Trader Joe’s needs (because so many people here have for so long hoped to have them locate here). The grief has all been between the owners of Universtiy Mall and their tenant, RAS.

    “As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..)”

    Perhaps you could explain why not, Fred W?

    “As for who goes to Monrovia and wastes their time/energy and fuel-I nominate YOU!!”

    I don’t work for or represent the City of Davis, Fred. I’m not an elected official. I was thinking of Ken Hiatt. (Sue addressed this in her post.) I wouldn’t suggest Ken flies down South without an appointment. But I do believe that a presentation in person can sometimes be more effective than one made by mail or over the phone.

    Yet Fred, perhaps you know more about this question than I do. If you claim some sort of omniscience on how companies respond to such appeals, I will defer to your superior knowledge.

    I’ll hold off on my laughter.”

    Is that what you call that psycholtic cackling noise you were making?

  53. “As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..)”

    Fred W,

    I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I just found — doing a quick Google search — that there are a number of Trader Joe’s located in shopping centers with Target stores.

    The closest of these is the Trader Joe’s in Napa, which is located at the Bel Aire Plaza. Target is just west of TJ’s, across a parking lot. The same center has a Whole Foods, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, and a few other stores.

  54. “As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..)”

    Fred W,

    I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I just found — doing a quick Google search — that there are a number of Trader Joe’s located in shopping centers with Target stores.

    The closest of these is the Trader Joe’s in Napa, which is located at the Bel Aire Plaza. Target is just west of TJ’s, across a parking lot. The same center has a Whole Foods, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, and a few other stores.

  55. “As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..)”

    Fred W,

    I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I just found — doing a quick Google search — that there are a number of Trader Joe’s located in shopping centers with Target stores.

    The closest of these is the Trader Joe’s in Napa, which is located at the Bel Aire Plaza. Target is just west of TJ’s, across a parking lot. The same center has a Whole Foods, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, and a few other stores.

  56. “As for relocating out to where Target will be, I’d bet they won’t tolerate one of their stores to be in the same general complex as a Target(of course, they’d never come out and admit to it..)”

    Fred W,

    I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I just found — doing a quick Google search — that there are a number of Trader Joe’s located in shopping centers with Target stores.

    The closest of these is the Trader Joe’s in Napa, which is located at the Bel Aire Plaza. Target is just west of TJ’s, across a parking lot. The same center has a Whole Foods, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, and a few other stores.

  57. Let’s get real folks. RAS located in a retail shopping center(the only medical service business that I know of) is an aberration for Davis. RAS probably got a bargain(compared to a medical professional building) lease deal from the desperate University owner whose property was doing poorly at that time. RAS currently adds little(perhaps even a negative) to the the value of the University Mall properties as
    a whole. I would guess that most RAS patients are not prone to a spontaneous shopping spree in the mall along with their medical appointment.

  58. Let’s get real folks. RAS located in a retail shopping center(the only medical service business that I know of) is an aberration for Davis. RAS probably got a bargain(compared to a medical professional building) lease deal from the desperate University owner whose property was doing poorly at that time. RAS currently adds little(perhaps even a negative) to the the value of the University Mall properties as
    a whole. I would guess that most RAS patients are not prone to a spontaneous shopping spree in the mall along with their medical appointment.

  59. Let’s get real folks. RAS located in a retail shopping center(the only medical service business that I know of) is an aberration for Davis. RAS probably got a bargain(compared to a medical professional building) lease deal from the desperate University owner whose property was doing poorly at that time. RAS currently adds little(perhaps even a negative) to the the value of the University Mall properties as
    a whole. I would guess that most RAS patients are not prone to a spontaneous shopping spree in the mall along with their medical appointment.

  60. Let’s get real folks. RAS located in a retail shopping center(the only medical service business that I know of) is an aberration for Davis. RAS probably got a bargain(compared to a medical professional building) lease deal from the desperate University owner whose property was doing poorly at that time. RAS currently adds little(perhaps even a negative) to the the value of the University Mall properties as
    a whole. I would guess that most RAS patients are not prone to a spontaneous shopping spree in the mall along with their medical appointment.

  61. Rich, I took a look at your link for Napa. That mall looks like the one proposed for Davis, except that Target is smaller than the one they want to open here. I think you are right. Trader Joe’s would be a good fit for the Target shopping center.

  62. Rich, I took a look at your link for Napa. That mall looks like the one proposed for Davis, except that Target is smaller than the one they want to open here. I think you are right. Trader Joe’s would be a good fit for the Target shopping center.

  63. Rich, I took a look at your link for Napa. That mall looks like the one proposed for Davis, except that Target is smaller than the one they want to open here. I think you are right. Trader Joe’s would be a good fit for the Target shopping center.

  64. Rich, I took a look at your link for Napa. That mall looks like the one proposed for Davis, except that Target is smaller than the one they want to open here. I think you are right. Trader Joe’s would be a good fit for the Target shopping center.

  65. trader joe’s should move into westlake center. it’s so utterly obvious a place, with all the apartments (cheap alcohol + premade food/snacks), and the affluent boomer homeowners of stonegate and village homes (organic produce, wine and fancy cheese) consumers living right next door.

    TJs could open up in the basement under freeborn, and try to keep it a secret, and it’d still thrive. it would create its own buzz just by being TJs.

    barring that, perhaps they could get centro to evict the costplus kitsch emporium and put a grocery store where one was originally zoned, before the city council bent the rules.

    this is all so utterly insane, to have open slots and stores seeking vacancies, and yet not be able to match the two. bangs head against desk

  66. trader joe’s should move into westlake center. it’s so utterly obvious a place, with all the apartments (cheap alcohol + premade food/snacks), and the affluent boomer homeowners of stonegate and village homes (organic produce, wine and fancy cheese) consumers living right next door.

    TJs could open up in the basement under freeborn, and try to keep it a secret, and it’d still thrive. it would create its own buzz just by being TJs.

    barring that, perhaps they could get centro to evict the costplus kitsch emporium and put a grocery store where one was originally zoned, before the city council bent the rules.

    this is all so utterly insane, to have open slots and stores seeking vacancies, and yet not be able to match the two. bangs head against desk

  67. trader joe’s should move into westlake center. it’s so utterly obvious a place, with all the apartments (cheap alcohol + premade food/snacks), and the affluent boomer homeowners of stonegate and village homes (organic produce, wine and fancy cheese) consumers living right next door.

    TJs could open up in the basement under freeborn, and try to keep it a secret, and it’d still thrive. it would create its own buzz just by being TJs.

    barring that, perhaps they could get centro to evict the costplus kitsch emporium and put a grocery store where one was originally zoned, before the city council bent the rules.

    this is all so utterly insane, to have open slots and stores seeking vacancies, and yet not be able to match the two. bangs head against desk

  68. trader joe’s should move into westlake center. it’s so utterly obvious a place, with all the apartments (cheap alcohol + premade food/snacks), and the affluent boomer homeowners of stonegate and village homes (organic produce, wine and fancy cheese) consumers living right next door.

    TJs could open up in the basement under freeborn, and try to keep it a secret, and it’d still thrive. it would create its own buzz just by being TJs.

    barring that, perhaps they could get centro to evict the costplus kitsch emporium and put a grocery store where one was originally zoned, before the city council bent the rules.

    this is all so utterly insane, to have open slots and stores seeking vacancies, and yet not be able to match the two. bangs head against desk

  69. “I think you are right. Trader Joe’s would be a good fit for the Target shopping center.”

    Saku,

    I should restate this: I don’t prefer that Trader Joe’s is located at the Target Mall. I agree with Wu Ming and David Greenwald and many others: the best fit is the old Ray’s location on Lake Blvd.

    I was simply wondering if TJ’s is determined to build a store in Davis and if the University Mall site doesn’t work out, whether Trader Joe’s would look next to the Target development.

  70. “I think you are right. Trader Joe’s would be a good fit for the Target shopping center.”

    Saku,

    I should restate this: I don’t prefer that Trader Joe’s is located at the Target Mall. I agree with Wu Ming and David Greenwald and many others: the best fit is the old Ray’s location on Lake Blvd.

    I was simply wondering if TJ’s is determined to build a store in Davis and if the University Mall site doesn’t work out, whether Trader Joe’s would look next to the Target development.

  71. “I think you are right. Trader Joe’s would be a good fit for the Target shopping center.”

    Saku,

    I should restate this: I don’t prefer that Trader Joe’s is located at the Target Mall. I agree with Wu Ming and David Greenwald and many others: the best fit is the old Ray’s location on Lake Blvd.

    I was simply wondering if TJ’s is determined to build a store in Davis and if the University Mall site doesn’t work out, whether Trader Joe’s would look next to the Target development.

  72. “I think you are right. Trader Joe’s would be a good fit for the Target shopping center.”

    Saku,

    I should restate this: I don’t prefer that Trader Joe’s is located at the Target Mall. I agree with Wu Ming and David Greenwald and many others: the best fit is the old Ray’s location on Lake Blvd.

    I was simply wondering if TJ’s is determined to build a store in Davis and if the University Mall site doesn’t work out, whether Trader Joe’s would look next to the Target development.

  73. re: “open slots and stores seeking vacancies”

    Not to mention the Interland proposal for South Davis, which is withering on the vine. Target will suck the air out of any retail neighborhood proposal for a while.

  74. re: “open slots and stores seeking vacancies”

    Not to mention the Interland proposal for South Davis, which is withering on the vine. Target will suck the air out of any retail neighborhood proposal for a while.

  75. re: “open slots and stores seeking vacancies”

    Not to mention the Interland proposal for South Davis, which is withering on the vine. Target will suck the air out of any retail neighborhood proposal for a while.

  76. re: “open slots and stores seeking vacancies”

    Not to mention the Interland proposal for South Davis, which is withering on the vine. Target will suck the air out of any retail neighborhood proposal for a while.

  77. “The answer for revitalization in the West Davis Lake Blvd shopping answer: Wal-Mart. Knock down the building and build a Wal-Mart.”

    I will second that motion. I would love a Mall-Wart in West Davis as quid pro quo for their support of Target in East Davis. When do we vote? What’s good for the goose…

  78. “The answer for revitalization in the West Davis Lake Blvd shopping answer: Wal-Mart. Knock down the building and build a Wal-Mart.”

    I will second that motion. I would love a Mall-Wart in West Davis as quid pro quo for their support of Target in East Davis. When do we vote? What’s good for the goose…

  79. “The answer for revitalization in the West Davis Lake Blvd shopping answer: Wal-Mart. Knock down the building and build a Wal-Mart.”

    I will second that motion. I would love a Mall-Wart in West Davis as quid pro quo for their support of Target in East Davis. When do we vote? What’s good for the goose…

  80. “The answer for revitalization in the West Davis Lake Blvd shopping answer: Wal-Mart. Knock down the building and build a Wal-Mart.”

    I will second that motion. I would love a Mall-Wart in West Davis as quid pro quo for their support of Target in East Davis. When do we vote? What’s good for the goose…

  81. Be even better if Wal-Mart bought out Target’s land on Second considering nothing in the vote said that it HAD to be a Target. That’d be great! Every one would see UCD entering Davis from the West and Wal-Mart entering Davis from the East.

  82. Be even better if Wal-Mart bought out Target’s land on Second considering nothing in the vote said that it HAD to be a Target. That’d be great! Every one would see UCD entering Davis from the West and Wal-Mart entering Davis from the East.

  83. Be even better if Wal-Mart bought out Target’s land on Second considering nothing in the vote said that it HAD to be a Target. That’d be great! Every one would see UCD entering Davis from the West and Wal-Mart entering Davis from the East.

  84. Be even better if Wal-Mart bought out Target’s land on Second considering nothing in the vote said that it HAD to be a Target. That’d be great! Every one would see UCD entering Davis from the West and Wal-Mart entering Davis from the East.

  85. A lot of good comments on this section of the blog..

    A few observations from me…

    1. it has been stated by someone TJ’s cannot be blamed for Centro’s attempts to shove out RAS to give TJ’s the ability to move in.

    I take issue with this. TJ knows full well legal pressure on RAS might cause them to move and provide TJ the opening they need. TJ knows by insisting it will only locate in U-mall, those who want TJ in town will put added pressure on RAS to move to accomodate it. So TJ does not have clean hands in this whole fiasco.

    2. TJ could revitalize west Davis, but I wouldn’t shop there. TJ would also be a good fit for the Target complex, but I’ll shop Target instead.

    3. Target plays by the Rules; Trader Joes does not. Target chose an unoccupied piece of land to build their store. It really bugs me how council members Sue and Lamar (though I cannot stand the other three either) badmouth Target for trying to build a store on an unoccupied piece of land on the edge of town and how that hurts small business, then bow the altar of TJ and assist them and Centro Watt in trying to destroy RAS

    The question is how do you spell hypocrite in this case?
    S-U-E-A-N-D-L-A-M-A-R

  86. A lot of good comments on this section of the blog..

    A few observations from me…

    1. it has been stated by someone TJ’s cannot be blamed for Centro’s attempts to shove out RAS to give TJ’s the ability to move in.

    I take issue with this. TJ knows full well legal pressure on RAS might cause them to move and provide TJ the opening they need. TJ knows by insisting it will only locate in U-mall, those who want TJ in town will put added pressure on RAS to move to accomodate it. So TJ does not have clean hands in this whole fiasco.

    2. TJ could revitalize west Davis, but I wouldn’t shop there. TJ would also be a good fit for the Target complex, but I’ll shop Target instead.

    3. Target plays by the Rules; Trader Joes does not. Target chose an unoccupied piece of land to build their store. It really bugs me how council members Sue and Lamar (though I cannot stand the other three either) badmouth Target for trying to build a store on an unoccupied piece of land on the edge of town and how that hurts small business, then bow the altar of TJ and assist them and Centro Watt in trying to destroy RAS

    The question is how do you spell hypocrite in this case?
    S-U-E-A-N-D-L-A-M-A-R

  87. A lot of good comments on this section of the blog..

    A few observations from me…

    1. it has been stated by someone TJ’s cannot be blamed for Centro’s attempts to shove out RAS to give TJ’s the ability to move in.

    I take issue with this. TJ knows full well legal pressure on RAS might cause them to move and provide TJ the opening they need. TJ knows by insisting it will only locate in U-mall, those who want TJ in town will put added pressure on RAS to move to accomodate it. So TJ does not have clean hands in this whole fiasco.

    2. TJ could revitalize west Davis, but I wouldn’t shop there. TJ would also be a good fit for the Target complex, but I’ll shop Target instead.

    3. Target plays by the Rules; Trader Joes does not. Target chose an unoccupied piece of land to build their store. It really bugs me how council members Sue and Lamar (though I cannot stand the other three either) badmouth Target for trying to build a store on an unoccupied piece of land on the edge of town and how that hurts small business, then bow the altar of TJ and assist them and Centro Watt in trying to destroy RAS

    The question is how do you spell hypocrite in this case?
    S-U-E-A-N-D-L-A-M-A-R

  88. A lot of good comments on this section of the blog..

    A few observations from me…

    1. it has been stated by someone TJ’s cannot be blamed for Centro’s attempts to shove out RAS to give TJ’s the ability to move in.

    I take issue with this. TJ knows full well legal pressure on RAS might cause them to move and provide TJ the opening they need. TJ knows by insisting it will only locate in U-mall, those who want TJ in town will put added pressure on RAS to move to accomodate it. So TJ does not have clean hands in this whole fiasco.

    2. TJ could revitalize west Davis, but I wouldn’t shop there. TJ would also be a good fit for the Target complex, but I’ll shop Target instead.

    3. Target plays by the Rules; Trader Joes does not. Target chose an unoccupied piece of land to build their store. It really bugs me how council members Sue and Lamar (though I cannot stand the other three either) badmouth Target for trying to build a store on an unoccupied piece of land on the edge of town and how that hurts small business, then bow the altar of TJ and assist them and Centro Watt in trying to destroy RAS

    The question is how do you spell hypocrite in this case?
    S-U-E-A-N-D-L-A-M-A-R

  89. “Target plays by the Rules; Trader Joes does not. Target chose an unoccupied piece of land to build their store. It really bugs me how council members Sue and Lamar (though I cannot stand the other three either) badmouth Target for trying to build a store on an unoccupied piece of land on the edge of town and how that hurts small business, then bow the altar of TJ and assist them and Centro Watt in trying to destroy RAS”

    Amen!!! I wouldn’t set foot in Traitor Joe’s now for any amount of money. Don’t like their nasty business tactics. Whether you were for/against Target, Target did not use dirty tactics to oust other businesses to get what it wanted. Instead, Target located appropriately, will add a wonderful dimension to the community, and will turn an empty field into a beautiful shopping mall and invite other compatable businesses.

    My guess is if the downtown plays it right, a shuttle will go back and forth between downtown and Target, and provide a needed boost in sales tax revenue for this town.

    By the way, I had heard Traitor Joe’s likes to locate next to Cost Plus stores. Any truth to this? Anyone know?

    Also, isn’t there something we can do about the darn birds at University Mall. It is really becoming a health hazard, not to mention disgusting. Has anyone approached the University and their experts on what to do? Maybe we should set up a shooting gallery and charge admission to fire away!!! Just kidding. But really, it is a very real problem that needs addressing. Any suggestions anyone?

  90. “Target plays by the Rules; Trader Joes does not. Target chose an unoccupied piece of land to build their store. It really bugs me how council members Sue and Lamar (though I cannot stand the other three either) badmouth Target for trying to build a store on an unoccupied piece of land on the edge of town and how that hurts small business, then bow the altar of TJ and assist them and Centro Watt in trying to destroy RAS”

    Amen!!! I wouldn’t set foot in Traitor Joe’s now for any amount of money. Don’t like their nasty business tactics. Whether you were for/against Target, Target did not use dirty tactics to oust other businesses to get what it wanted. Instead, Target located appropriately, will add a wonderful dimension to the community, and will turn an empty field into a beautiful shopping mall and invite other compatable businesses.

    My guess is if the downtown plays it right, a shuttle will go back and forth between downtown and Target, and provide a needed boost in sales tax revenue for this town.

    By the way, I had heard Traitor Joe’s likes to locate next to Cost Plus stores. Any truth to this? Anyone know?

    Also, isn’t there something we can do about the darn birds at University Mall. It is really becoming a health hazard, not to mention disgusting. Has anyone approached the University and their experts on what to do? Maybe we should set up a shooting gallery and charge admission to fire away!!! Just kidding. But really, it is a very real problem that needs addressing. Any suggestions anyone?

  91. “Target plays by the Rules; Trader Joes does not. Target chose an unoccupied piece of land to build their store. It really bugs me how council members Sue and Lamar (though I cannot stand the other three either) badmouth Target for trying to build a store on an unoccupied piece of land on the edge of town and how that hurts small business, then bow the altar of TJ and assist them and Centro Watt in trying to destroy RAS”

    Amen!!! I wouldn’t set foot in Traitor Joe’s now for any amount of money. Don’t like their nasty business tactics. Whether you were for/against Target, Target did not use dirty tactics to oust other businesses to get what it wanted. Instead, Target located appropriately, will add a wonderful dimension to the community, and will turn an empty field into a beautiful shopping mall and invite other compatable businesses.

    My guess is if the downtown plays it right, a shuttle will go back and forth between downtown and Target, and provide a needed boost in sales tax revenue for this town.

    By the way, I had heard Traitor Joe’s likes to locate next to Cost Plus stores. Any truth to this? Anyone know?

    Also, isn’t there something we can do about the darn birds at University Mall. It is really becoming a health hazard, not to mention disgusting. Has anyone approached the University and their experts on what to do? Maybe we should set up a shooting gallery and charge admission to fire away!!! Just kidding. But really, it is a very real problem that needs addressing. Any suggestions anyone?

  92. “Target plays by the Rules; Trader Joes does not. Target chose an unoccupied piece of land to build their store. It really bugs me how council members Sue and Lamar (though I cannot stand the other three either) badmouth Target for trying to build a store on an unoccupied piece of land on the edge of town and how that hurts small business, then bow the altar of TJ and assist them and Centro Watt in trying to destroy RAS”

    Amen!!! I wouldn’t set foot in Traitor Joe’s now for any amount of money. Don’t like their nasty business tactics. Whether you were for/against Target, Target did not use dirty tactics to oust other businesses to get what it wanted. Instead, Target located appropriately, will add a wonderful dimension to the community, and will turn an empty field into a beautiful shopping mall and invite other compatable businesses.

    My guess is if the downtown plays it right, a shuttle will go back and forth between downtown and Target, and provide a needed boost in sales tax revenue for this town.

    By the way, I had heard Traitor Joe’s likes to locate next to Cost Plus stores. Any truth to this? Anyone know?

    Also, isn’t there something we can do about the darn birds at University Mall. It is really becoming a health hazard, not to mention disgusting. Has anyone approached the University and their experts on what to do? Maybe we should set up a shooting gallery and charge admission to fire away!!! Just kidding. But really, it is a very real problem that needs addressing. Any suggestions anyone?

  93. trader joe’s should move into westlake center. it’s so utterly obvious a place, with all the apartments (cheap alcohol + premade food/snacks), and the affluent boomer homeowners of stonegate and village homes (organic produce, wine and fancy cheese) consumers living right next door.

    wu ming, how many stereotypes can you pack into one sentence? Partying students, wine and cheese-eating affluent boomers…. And I’ll bet you consider yourself to be an open-minded, unbigoted person who “considers everyone as an individual.” What stereotype would you apply to your neighborhood?

  94. trader joe’s should move into westlake center. it’s so utterly obvious a place, with all the apartments (cheap alcohol + premade food/snacks), and the affluent boomer homeowners of stonegate and village homes (organic produce, wine and fancy cheese) consumers living right next door.

    wu ming, how many stereotypes can you pack into one sentence? Partying students, wine and cheese-eating affluent boomers…. And I’ll bet you consider yourself to be an open-minded, unbigoted person who “considers everyone as an individual.” What stereotype would you apply to your neighborhood?

  95. trader joe’s should move into westlake center. it’s so utterly obvious a place, with all the apartments (cheap alcohol + premade food/snacks), and the affluent boomer homeowners of stonegate and village homes (organic produce, wine and fancy cheese) consumers living right next door.

    wu ming, how many stereotypes can you pack into one sentence? Partying students, wine and cheese-eating affluent boomers…. And I’ll bet you consider yourself to be an open-minded, unbigoted person who “considers everyone as an individual.” What stereotype would you apply to your neighborhood?

  96. trader joe’s should move into westlake center. it’s so utterly obvious a place, with all the apartments (cheap alcohol + premade food/snacks), and the affluent boomer homeowners of stonegate and village homes (organic produce, wine and fancy cheese) consumers living right next door.

    wu ming, how many stereotypes can you pack into one sentence? Partying students, wine and cheese-eating affluent boomers…. And I’ll bet you consider yourself to be an open-minded, unbigoted person who “considers everyone as an individual.” What stereotype would you apply to your neighborhood?

  97. I am not a student or an affluent boomer and I would apply the stereotype of cheap alcohal, premade food, wine, organic produce, and, may I add, reasonable prices to myself!

  98. I am not a student or an affluent boomer and I would apply the stereotype of cheap alcohal, premade food, wine, organic produce, and, may I add, reasonable prices to myself!

  99. I am not a student or an affluent boomer and I would apply the stereotype of cheap alcohal, premade food, wine, organic produce, and, may I add, reasonable prices to myself!

  100. I am not a student or an affluent boomer and I would apply the stereotype of cheap alcohal, premade food, wine, organic produce, and, may I add, reasonable prices to myself!

  101. DPD, interesting that you mention the crows at the UMall. I have wondered for years if the level of guano constitutes a health hazard. Perhaps this could be a topic for further discussion on the Vanguard.

  102. DPD, interesting that you mention the crows at the UMall. I have wondered for years if the level of guano constitutes a health hazard. Perhaps this could be a topic for further discussion on the Vanguard.

  103. DPD, interesting that you mention the crows at the UMall. I have wondered for years if the level of guano constitutes a health hazard. Perhaps this could be a topic for further discussion on the Vanguard.

  104. DPD, interesting that you mention the crows at the UMall. I have wondered for years if the level of guano constitutes a health hazard. Perhaps this could be a topic for further discussion on the Vanguard.

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