The latest formula retailer attempting to run the SF permitting gauntlet is See's Candies, which is hoping to open a storefront next to Safeway at Church and Market.
Tomorrow, the SF Planning Commission will hold a hearing to determine See's fate. As See's Candies has more than 11 locations in the U.S. (it has over 200), it would need a special exemption from the area's formula retail restrictions. In June of this year, Chipotle attempted to get permission from the Planning Commission to open on the other side of Church Street, in the former home of Home restaurant at 2100 Market. That attempt was rejected. But there are a few reasons to think that See's will succeed where Chipotle failed. In rejecting Chipotle, the Planning Commission noted that the new location would have increased the percentage of formula retail storefronts in the immediate area to 36% -- well above the 20% threshold that the law recommends. See's Candies, meanwhile, asserts in a pre-hearing document that it wouldn't be increasing the amount of formula retail in the area at all, since it's replacing Mike's Camera, which itself was a formula retail use. (Mike's Camera has 13 locations in California and Colorado.) Another reason for Chipotle's rejection was significant resistance from residents. Nearby businesses and neighbors garnered more than 800 signatures for an online petition opposing the Chipotle. There is no such groundswell of opposition to See's; the Planning Department reports receiving 3 letters from the public in favor, and none opposed. And while the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association strongly opposed Chipotle, it has decided to take no stance on See's. Many of our readers also cited nearby taquerias as a reason that Chipotle would not be serving a neighborhood need. See's, on the other hand, contends that it "will offer merchandise unique to the area. There are no similar retail uses" nearby. That's true -- there are no dedicated candy stores in the immediate area. Finally, as Castro Biscuit noted early this year, See's Candies has been Bay Area-based since 1936, and is involved with a slew of local organizations and charities. That should help it make the case that it will be a positive force in the neighborhood. Tomorrow's hearing is scheduled for noon at City Hall, Room 400, and is open to the public as usual. We'll keep an eye on it.
Tomorrow, the SF Planning Commission will hold a hearing to determine See's fate. As See's Candies has more than 11 locations in the U.S. (it has over 200), it would need a special exemption from the area's formula retail restrictions. In June of this year, Chipotle attempted to get permission from the Planning Commission to open on the other side of Church Street, in the former home of Home restaurant at 2100 Market. That attempt was rejected. But there are a few reasons to think that See's will succeed where Chipotle failed. In rejecting Chipotle, the Planning Commission noted that the new location would have increased the percentage of formula retail storefronts in the immediate area to 36% -- well above the 20% threshold that the law recommends. See's Candies, meanwhile, asserts in a pre-hearing document that it wouldn't be increasing the amount of formula retail in the area at all, since it's replacing Mike's Camera, which itself was a formula retail use. (Mike's Camera has 13 locations in California and Colorado.) Another reason for Chipotle's rejection was significant resistance from residents. Nearby businesses and neighbors garnered more than 800 signatures for an online petition opposing the Chipotle. There is no such groundswell of opposition to See's; the Planning Department reports receiving 3 letters from the public in favor, and none opposed. And while the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association strongly opposed Chipotle, it has decided to take no stance on See's. Many of our readers also cited nearby taquerias as a reason that Chipotle would not be serving a neighborhood need. See's, on the other hand, contends that it "will offer merchandise unique to the area. There are no similar retail uses" nearby. That's true -- there are no dedicated candy stores in the immediate area. Finally, as Castro Biscuit noted early this year, See's Candies has been Bay Area-based since 1936, and is involved with a slew of local organizations and charities. That should help it make the case that it will be a positive force in the neighborhood. Tomorrow's hearing is scheduled for noon at City Hall, Room 400, and is open to the public as usual. We'll keep an eye on it.
