Hey all,

You know that strip mall on San Pablo with Arizmendi and IHOP?

The city currently controls the leases to these units, and they will for the next 2 years. They've been only considering independent businesses until now. Because of a lack of interest by local businesses due to incredibly high rent, they've decided to take an offer by Starbucks seriously, who have an offer on the space formerly occupied by Cuppa Cabana.

A Hawaiian Barbecue place is opening up soon in the same complex. I hope that the stip mall can live up to the initial hope surrounding it: that it will become a hub of independant affordable food joints.

I work at Arizmendi. I don't want to work next to Starbucks. They will take away our customers, and will cater mostly to commuter traffic. The commuters have enough stuff in Emeryville--how about something here for the locals.

Contact the city council members and let them know what you think.

To reach the city council members by email go to this webpage
www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/gov/ci...il.html

To reach them by phone call 510 596-4376 for Ruth
Atkins or Nora Davis. Call 510-547-2101 for Ken
Bukowski. Call 510-654-3981 for Dick Kassis. And
call 510-601-8846 for John Fricke.

John Fricke is already opposed to the plans. I believe that the other four are in support.