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The potential impact of big-name chains in Ojai would be a disaster for residents and tourism alike. Ugh.

Tyler,

Thank you for writing this excellent essay on the potential impact of fast-food chains in Ojai. This is an important issue that we need to address as a community. Just about every article I read about Ojai mentions how we don't have chains in town. Sounds like no-chains is a selling point about Ojai? Let's not become like every other town in the US.

I know of a recently opened sandwich shop called Howie's on Matilija just yards from the Fitzgerald Plaza. They make great sandwiches and that is where locals need to patronize. The no-franchise policy is one of the things I love about Ojai....I would hate to see that change. Lets not spend any local dollars at the Jersey owned joint!

Katrina Schmidt is most likely getting orders from our new city manager to let them in, to increase tax revenue and fees to pay the Ventura County Sheriffs Department's hefty contract to patrol Ojai! In our neighborhood we get the security of the CHP, Sheriff and the so called Ojai Police Department (of course it is the county with different lettering on the patrol cars). While I am ranting....I have a question...Why do I see more CHP patrols on our street than I see the county Sheriff vehicles. (For the record, I do not live on a major street, nor connector). Do we have a contract with the CHP too? I think not Mr. Brooks! I appreciate the efforts of law enforcement, however, we need to keep the small community we have....just that.....small! Letting in franchised operations will only lead to higher costs, such as the contract with the Ventura County Sheriffs Department! Will this new place be selling alcohol, as did the Brew Pub? Wow! We might need more police, sheriff and CHP in the downtown area if this keeps up. Get ready for the property tax increase to pay for all that Katrina is planning!

Dear BB - my impression is that the City understands the importance of maintaining the integrity of local businesses, and the contribution they make. This is NOT getting PUSHED through by the City.

It all comes down to choice and I think that the residents can take a stand and decide whether or not to patronize such an establishment. I, for one, will give my lunch money to the locals.

My family and I moved to Ojai two and a half years ago specifically to get away from the cookie cutter life that exists practically everywhere else in this country. I value the private local shops, and the individual attention and care that that I receive from their owners. I love that many of our local restaurants buy ingredients from local growers, which makes the food fresher and healthier. Franchises may offer the convenience of a nationally known product, but the downsides (lowered community feel, ugly signage, and franchise money leaving the community) outweigh any positives by a long shot.
Once one fast food restaurant goes in, it won't take long for others to follow and what makes Ojai unique and an attraction, may cease to exist.

The city council continues to make decisions that are in their own self interest disregarding the needs and wants of Ojai citizens that have appointed them. Though it may appear as a small infraction and just a little sub shop, Rolland and Barbara Fitzgerald are acting irresponsibly and acting against the will of the people.
As a community there needs to be an active protest in front of the building and call made to both the council and the Fitzgeralds. (If anyone has their phone number, post it here.) Our power is in our consumer dollar, if the sub shop goes in simply don't support them. Hopefully, we can end their lease before it starts.

After reading this, I felt the need to input my two cents.

I am against Big chains moving to Ojai. However, I know that there is always going to be change, and is this the beggining of the change? I doubt that not spending money there will hurt them at all. There will always be the people who will go there, it might not be as much as they would make in profits, but it's enough to keep them going. I also don't think a small nationwide sub shot, which i've never heard of, would hurt already existing Ojai food joints. now, as for the large stores, such as Staples, that would be good and bad for Ojai. They would get a lot more people shopping which would bring in more tax money, but it would hurt the overall ambience.

As I am a full time High-School/College student, I don't always have the money to spend on the typically higher prices food that places such as Ojai Frostie, so instead, I go somewhere else to eat. Which brings me to my last point. Knowing that the chances of stopping these chain stores to populate Ojai is slim, the only way that the local stores can defend themselves is to lower the prices.

I don't support fast food, but as a property owner I know what it means to make ends meet. Perhaps those in opposition should come together and fill their preferred venue. Instead of blaming the city or the Fitzgerald's who may not share said sentiments - look in the mirror and take initiative to fill it with what you want.

Anonymous - thank you for participating. I am not blaming the city one bit. And the initiative I am taking is educating the Ojai community about the direction our city is headed. As a property owner, you have a certain sympathy to the Fitzgerald Plaza owners who may be trying to make ends meet. But if the tenant they allow in compromises the integrity and vision of the town, and we start to see the decline of tourism, cultural and otherwise, then the city as a whole, including many merchants, will take a severe and sustained financial hit. So I encourage you to not just think about a single property owner, but put it in a larger context as to how allowing chain stores in Ojai affects us all.

I am saddened that Ojai is supporting chain stores. I grew up in Ojai and my parents still live there. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I cannot imagine the downtown being littered with national brands.
I do believe that if the residents are that concerned then they should not frequent those establishments. I now live in Ashland, Oregon (quite similar to Ojai) and from what I understand, it is the only place in the U.S. that was able to shut down a McDonalds due to lack of patronage. You can do it, too!

I tip my hat to anyone with the kahunas to open a food-service establishment in Ojai. And even if they do serve "America's favorite meatball sub, with only the finest fresh wholesome ingredients," they'll never be able to arrest the poignant nostalgia i experience when i wander past my former favorite local hangout. they'll never be grumpy Alex, buxxxom Sally, Big Bad baseball-uniformed John, bad beer, great barley wine, delicious caesar and quattro formaggi pizza. Will they be able to boast of drunk german stone masons? Will Sister OOK wail there? Will they provide any sort of respite for the after-hours crowd? Will I make friends there? or will it just be more average white bread, shreaded lettuce and conveniently processed lunch meat all delivered frozen weekly by a semi truck in the middle of the night? Good luck and best of fortune Jersey Mikes, I hope you're going to do something that impresses the tourists, and the locals with dough, because you're moving into a town that - in my experience - is notoriously bad at supporting local businesses that don't serve beer or cocktails.

How do you think we feel, those of us who live immediately outside Ojai, right next to big chains like Wendys, Subway, Taco Bell, McDonalds and the like. Now, without polling the residents, we're going to have a Starbucks a half block away from our wonderful Stir Crazy, (in the Rite Aid strip mall) and then a Longs Drug store up the road, a half block from Rite Aid! Can't we be more creative than that? I would love to see a mom and pop restuarant instead, or a business's that would be more productive and useful, rather than just
duplicates of what we have in that neighborhood already. I and all the neighbors I've talked to agree.

There is a Ron and Barbara Fitzgerald listed in the phone book. The phone number is 646-1840.

If you are going to call, I would encourge each of us to be friendly, courteous, and direct. Respectfully expressing our opinions will go a lot further than rudeness, accusations, and prank calls. Remember, the Fitzgerald's are also residents of Ojai and probably care about the place they live too.

I remember talking to the owner of O-Hi Frostie, (we all know what he is going through) and he was excited about the possiblity of the Frostie going in where the pub once was. He told me of the split and was trying to figure out financing to move the Frostie. So I know first hand that there was a Ojai landmark, a truly independent establishment trying to occupy that space. Was it a dollar thing? If so, that is very sad. Downtown is tiny. The arcade and the surrounding businesses is what people think of when they think of walking around town in Ojai. We should, above all other places, protect that little wonderful strip before it's a sadly a strip mall.

As someone who lives in New Jersey but who has enjoyed beautiful Ojai, I'm somewhat surprised at this debate. To my eyes, Jersey Mike's is barely a blip on the screen in its home state. I'd love to see a Bart's Books franchise start up along the Jersey shore; it would find a well-read, intellectually curious clientelle (at least outside of the summer months). Alas, Bart's isn't about to create franchises because its approach is better suited to California. I suspect if it could work in the often inclement weather of the NJ shore, it would explore the possibility. My point is, maintaining one's uniqueness is fine, but xenophobia isn't healthy; don't block simply for the sake of blocking. It seems that the good people of Ojai should be more concerned with whether the sandwich franchise is actually viable or will just wither on the vine. I've never eaten at a Jersey Mike's so I can't comment on its quality, but I've only seen a couple in New Jersey, why should anyone expect it to have any success across the country?

I grew up in a town like Ojai. A little bigger (30,000). A tourist mecca - birthplace of the American Revolution (Lexington, MA). When I was growing up, Lexington had a no fast-food restaurant policy. There were McDonald's and BK on the borders, just like here. And in town there were wealthy residents who could afford to patronize the small, mostly local businesses. When I was in high school, The Gap opened downtown, the first of the invasion. There are no longer independent shops or restaurants in Lexington. There is The Gap, Starbucks, and a host of Boston-area chain restaurants. The local bank was run out by Fleet, the local artist's coop no longer could afford real estate downtown. Lexington's property values have more than doubled in the last 10 years - they are higher than Ojai now. The school system is still struggling and shutting down "special" program after special program. I don't think I understand the Ojai city plan yet but I will learn more. I would hate to see this happen in Ojai.
I understand the property owners need to rent out their spaces, and I know that space in this town is outrageous. I know that many small businesses fail because overhead is so high. WalMart (your source for cheap plastic crap) can afford it. Apparently, so can Jersey Mike's.

We as a community need to stop the blame game right here and now and figure out what our priorities are and how to reach them. I don't know how to do that but I think if enough people care to preserve our "small town charm" they will come together and do it.

Hi Anonymous - thanks for your comments. I'm much less concerned about a single Jersey Mike's (which you can see from their website is moving into Ventura, Oxnard and Camarillo too), and much more concerned about the precedent set which may open the door for a Starbucks, or TGIF or Payless Shoe Store, homogenizing our wonderful little town.

It's a good thing that the city has no say in what private business is to be done within city limits (according to Katherine). I somehow don't think she'd have said the same thing if the Fitzgeralds wanted to open a strip club. How convenient. Anyway, let's not encourage the council to think they do have this power for once unless it's the voice of the people speaking.

The issue is with the Fitzgeralds and the type of businesses they choose to fill their store front spaces with. Ideally, I wouldnt choose yet another sanwhich shop either but it doesnt seem like they have much of a choice seeing as how long its been vacant. It takes a special person(s) with a pocket of cash to open a store front in this town and make it a success as I've seen in only the short 5ish years Ive been here.

It's a shame that it's not the mom & pop business we'd all like it to be but it's gotta be harder and harder to make rent with the way property values have inflated so dramatically in the past few years. We all know it has become expensive (but worth it) to live here and that applies the same for a business as well. Enter the dreaded chain to help shoulder that burden. I wonder what the story is behind the new business owners and if they are familiar with the unique Ojai demographic. They must know something we dont if they're willing to sink their dough in a sandwhich shop here. Maybe, maybe not.

The choices for the people of Ojai are simple:

* Make the Fitzgeralds aware of your personal, legitimate reasons for not allowing the new shop to continue and to forgo another month to a year of rent payments. (Although from the look of the pics above it looks a little late for that.)

* Find someone(s) with a better idea and the money to do it. (if this is really an option.)

* If you dont like it, don't go there and tell others not to go there and why thats important. That place doesnt seem to keep tenants very long anyway.

We all shall see.

Looks like one can drop Rolland and Barbara Fitzgerald a note of concern at 533 Villanova Rd.

Do we really want to advertise their home address? Maybe we could just invite them to have their say here.

It's posted on their public statement hanging the window as shown in the first posting.

Lisa - I would be happy to post any sort of statement the Fitzgeralds would like to send me, and make it open for community discussion. tyler -at- ojaipost dot com

To create a positive atmosphere around this I would like to offer some other thoughts. As I understand, the property is already leased. The franchise owners are moving forward. Where we might be able to have impact is by educating, if needed, about sustainable practices and community health. I love eating and socializing at Ojai's many restaurants. Most of them I frequent rarely, one I frequesnt consistently. Why? They care what they feed me, they care that most of the produce and ingrediants are grown locally and less petroleum is being used to bring it to me, they understand the vital issues about organics and the need to support farmers who are willing to say no to GMO and factory farms, they only sell meat from animals that are raised with more compassion. If there is to be a franchise sandwich place, we can suggest that the food that is served is a healthy, sustainable product. Not run of the mill. I admit I'm a staunch advocate of organics and the health / ecological sense of it. I wish more kids would where that T-shirt that says "Please don't feed me junk." What if Jersey Mikes corporate will allow the owners here to alter the formula and provide meals that are above their national standard. My personal wish. I sure would love a Mediteranean restaurant. or Mmm.. Indian lunch buffet so I don't have to drive to Ventura. How is it that we have the Krishnamurti , Krotona, Meher Baba, yoga, Vedanta communitites and no Indian food. Go figure.

Tyler,
I don't believe I used the word "PUSHED" in my post!

I still stand by the opinion, that with our new city manager and finances as they are for the city, the "letting in" of this establishment is being done without input from it's citizens. He is trying to build , more tax based revenue for the city budget. When the old school city council and the city managers of past were presented with something like this....it would have gone through a few more hoops and public discussion before the "planning" folks gave the ok dokee to the council and it's city manager! It seems that we now want to be like other "cities", perhaps ones like where the new folks who are running things used to live in.
Thanks for letting post.

When I spoke to the Planning office, it was my understanding that Jersey Mike's Sub did not go to the Planning Commission or to City Council because it was not a different type of business than previously located in that location. Therefore, there has been no public input on this fast-food chain.

On another note, another possible idea would be to contact the two franchise owners -- Daniel Burrell and Angel Velazquez -- operating as JM West, Inc. Perhaps they could be persuaded to open a non-franchise sub shop in this location. Perhaps they are not aware of the negative publicity this is already recieving?

"Isn't it ironic, dontcha think? A little too-ooo-ooo ironic," that "Anonymous" won't use his/her own name yet willinging posts the home address of the landlord?

For those of you out of Ojai, the Ojai Valley News had a front page article about the Jersey Mike's shop to open by May 15.

I have lived in Ojai since 1995 this little town will never change how I feel about it no matter how big it got. I for one love change and would love to see more Franchise. I cant wait to have Jersey Mikes shop open. Anyone know whats gonna happen to the old Bowling ally? Its been vacant for years now.

I am really pleased with the great response from the community on this issue.

Look, Jersey Mike's is going in. It's probably pretty good, and its offering subs, which aren't offered anywhere else in downtown. JM, however, is the canary in the coalmine. It lets us know that there is NOTHING on a legal level that could, for example, stop a Starbucks from moving into Ojai Coffee Roasters, if the zoning stays the same and the other cards align right.

I think we should look at community solutions for making sure this does not happen again. Perhaps a petition for a Vote of Non-Support. The fact is, SUBWAY is looking at putting a franchise in Ojai. How do halt the progress of that NOW, before they sign a lease and begin "tenant improvements"?

Note to BB: I did not put "pushed" in quotes, attributing it to you. I want to make it clear that the city manager is not ordering the planning department to allow this. Existing zoning laws and anti-discrimination laws have paved the way for this franchise's entry into Ojai.

I have lived in Ojai since 1995 this little town will never change how I feel about it no matter how big it got. I for one love change and would love to see more Franchise. I cant wait to have Jersey Mikes shop open. Anyone know whats gonna happen to the old Bowling ally? Its been vacant for years now.

Here is the link: http://ojaivalleynews.com/CurrentEditions/Friday/OVN4-7pergola.pdf

No franchises please! Ojai is one of a kind and we don't need big business here to put our local business owners out of work. We are unique, original and have existed quite well without the likes of Starbucks etc.
Josephine

Mmmmm...GMO's.

This is a rant. Those of you that know me know how even keeled I am most of the time. Being in Ojai and beauty here day in and day out can pacify us, yet sometimes, just sometimes, letting the fierceness fly can be an agent of change. The more I read, especially the Ojai Valley News article. The more I, mister mild mannered, understanding, justice for all Libra, gets outraged. first of all crap food is crap food. Second of all, where did you come to think Ojai is the perfect place, for Jersey Mikes. Did you ask anyone or did you just assume it on your own? I don't care if your from Jersey, I don't care that your giving high schoolers jobs (if you want to call slave labor wages serving artery clogging food a contribution to the community) . Greed is greed. You own two already. If you want to be in the restaurant business please for our towns sake and our childrens future, create something healthy and original.
People this is not a time to lay back and allow corporate America in the guise of small town sentiment take root . This tree is an invasive and will choke out the native species. I don't mean to be demonizing anyone. Ignorance however is not bliss, it's simply ignorance.

Isn't there a special City Hall meeting tomorrow Monday April 10 at 5:00 pm about Ojai's direction into the future?

I plan on being there.

aHa Tyler, Ray*Pow!, Sasha, all ...

shall we NOT make a contribution, if we are going to the bother of ranting ...

otherwise, why get up in the morning, if only to regurgitate the garbage of a force-fed cultural abyss?

http://www.ojaipost.com/2006/04/all_news_is_local_1.shtml

for all our sacred relations,

Millennium Twain

..

.

Ironically, the special session of the City Council is not listed on the Ojai web site. However, there is only one thing on the agenda:

The Ojai: Safeguarding the Past, Planning for the Future a Community and Organizational Report from City Manager, Jere Kersnar

RECOMMENDATION: Receive and File.

I'll be there too!
Kenley

God help us, if the chains get there way into ojai, the disese has spread all over the country and world. its becoming a generic place whreever you go. beauty and uniqueness is quickly disapearing.

Chain stores in Ojai would really diminish the charm of this lovely town, to be sure. (Although Curves is plainly a chain, yes?)

But Oak View could really benefit from some chain stores! I would give anything if Trader Joe's would take over Dahl's Market!!

I can think of a few other changes there as well that would be vast improvements over the sad, smelly grocery stores and abandoned "thrift store" storefronts...

Good quote in today's Star:
"It's really not about Jersey Mike's specifically," said Kenley Neufeld, an Ojai resident and a librarian at Santa Barbara City College. "I'm worried about the slippery slope. ... One of the things that makes Ojai unique is the lack of national chain businesses, especially in our downtown area, and I think that model has served us well."

Read the story at: http://www.venturacountystar.com/vcs/oj/article/0,1375,VCS_168_4629618,00.html

I own a home in a charming historic small town in the Northeast. We have the same debates about not letting the chains into the village, preserving the atmoshpere etc.
And of course, the chain stores have come anyway and opened up on the outskirts of the village. Interestingly, everyone goes to them, including the locals who didnt want them anywhere near us!
Looking around it seems that the tourists are the ones who spend the most in the shops in the village center.
I cant deny that I enjoy the convenience, wonderful selection, prices and quality offered by the chain stores. I try to support the smaller businesses as much as possible, but reality says that the chains have their attraction.
In our town we have managed to keep the historic village center whilst allowing chains on the outskirts. The chains do have to adhere to a certain building style, which helps them blend in with the community. Perhaps it is not ideal, but it has made it a nice community to live in and I dont have to drive for miles and miles to get "plastic" things when I want them. I also didnt have to drive for miles when my visiting relative needed her heart medicine perscription filled at 11 pm.
So, while I'm not advocating changing the charming town of Ojai, I am saying that there can be benefits from controlled growth.

I've had my first Jersey Mikes Sub, and I have to say, I'm happy they are here. What a great sandwich. You've sold me, and I'll be back.

Good for you, Anonymous. Do you want a FREE cookie, too?!

I feel saddened by the fact that lines are streaming out the door at Jersey Mike's, but hell they're giving away the "food" for free or almost free-$1. So, I'm reminded that this is a flash in the pan, and their newness will vanish, as well as the lines. Quiznos was busy during their debut, and now it's practically a ghost town. Stand firm Ojai- DON'T GIVE YOUR MONEY TO JERSEY MIKES, and hopefully they will go away. If anyone is looking for a great sub, LOCALLY OWNED, GIORGIO'S has many to offer.

Does anyone have any info, as to the planning meeting, or "lack of planning meeting" to be held about the prospects of Starbucks ( by Rite-Aid) and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (in O-Hi Frostie) moving into Ojai. I want to know exactly what's being planned before it happens, and I want my voice to be heard, before it's too late.

Also, I'm looking for info/web site on the city ordinance concerning chain restaurants in Ojai. I've always thought there was an ordinance banning chains, but I've misunderstood. Apparently, chains can move into Ojai as long as they follow the proper height and signage guidelines, and don't have a drive-thru. Can someone with a clear understanding of Ojai's city ordinance shed light on this subject for me? Thanks