Subway has 27,445 stores in 85 countries, and is about to open it’s next franchise in downtown Ojai at 323 E. Matilija in the old Howie’s location.
I knew Ojai was on the brink of leasing it’s empty store fronts to chain stores, after all there are a lot of empty store fronts in town right now. But there’s been a good sized group of people working toward preventing this, including, I thought, the Ojai City Council and the Planning Commission. Well Ojai, we need to increase the pace. Nothing short of an ordinance to ban formula businesses in our downtown core will preserve the uniqueness of our small town.
Ojai Post’s own Kenley Neufeld did some research this afternoon and spoke with the owner of the building. Here are Kenley’s notes:
According to Ernest Salomon, owner of the building for the past two decades, Subway is moving into 323 E. Matilija, Suite 101/103. The Salomon Group approached Subway because a litany of businesses, mostly local, have failed in that location. The franchisee of Subway in Ojai is Dave Ditomaso, the same person who operates the Miramonte location and 17 other locations in California.
Mr. Salomon provided three reasons why this was good for Ojai. First, Subway is a job provider. Second, they provide a service. Finally, he checked with the other tenants in the building and they are ecstatic. Plus the sandwiches are “wholesome and lo-fat.” Mr. Salomon said The City has been consulted and everything is legal.
If our city attorney, Monte Widders hadn’t refused to prepare a ballot summary for Jeff Furchtenicht’s initiative last August and chosen a lawsuit instead, the city of Ojai may have been further along in the process of looking at passing an ordinance to limit or ban chain stores in Ojai’s tourist zone.
A lot of time, money and energy has been wasted on this lawsuit when the real issue is being ignored. We need to put our time, money and energy into preserving the Ojai we all love. That’s what I’m going to do. Any other ideas?
{ 62 comments }
Leslie & Kenley – great reporting. I pray that you won’t have to someday soon report about the new REI where Rains used to be, sandwiched between a Starbucks and a Chipotle Grill.
Subway will never get a dime of my money in Ojai. When I want a sub, I go to Giorgio’s Pizza and Subs at 914 E. Ojai ave. Look it up in the OVD in the Restaurant Menu Section and click their name. You’ll get what you pay for and like it.The couple that own the business are local and work hard to make their place as comfortable as possible.
I believe we have to support our local people. If we don’t, then we are selling out to the lowest common denominator available at every corner in boring USA.One other thing, it doesn’t take much energy to suggest to others, tourists, places that are used by you, by doing so you ensure those locals their livelihood to be there for you and your family.
Wow! This would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. The simple fact of the matter is that if the city council and their crack lawyer hadn’t sued a citizen for daring to submit initiatives to the ballot on EXACTLY this issue, there’s a better that 50/50 chance that Subway would not be able to open a store in our downtown. This is an outrage, and the city council can’t say we didn’t see it coming. How this plays out will determine the future of this town. I encourage people to go drive out of the valley and take a look around. Ojai is a tourist destination BECAUSE it is unique. If we allow the homogenization of Ojai, those precious tourist dollars will dry up. Who wants to go someplace that is exactly like any other strip-mall ridden, faux-Spanish, Southern California town. People don’t go on vacation to Westlake Village.
To those that own unique businesses here in Ojai, now is the time to snap out of your fear of politics and come out against this. You can not afford to allow formula retail and restaurant business to colonize this town. We can’t allow a Subway, Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Jamba Juice, Chili’s, Green Burrito, A/X Armani Exchange, The Limited, Abercrombie & Fitch, Bath and Body Works, The Gap, etc., etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseum!
To those who own unique businesses here in Ojai and have come out in favor of chain or formula businesses publicly in the past, it’s time you reincorporate as a Delaware company so you can avoid taxes and try to go national. Think soulless and be sure to dumb it down a bit. Of course, maybe they’ll just open up a Petco or PetSmart and squash your business before it ever reaches those grandiose heights.
Leslie and Kenley, I know you’ve been working on an initiative to block formula retail and restaurant businesses. Now is the time to submit it so we can begin gathering signatures. If the city council sues you for trying to Keep Ojai Real, well we’ll just have to start a recall drive. The fact of the matter is that we could not start a recall of the city council before 90 days after the last election. That deadline passed on Sunday.
I am aghast, disgusted on many levels. Yes, preserving Pjai for local business people and services and also the poisening of our culture by fast foods ( read Omnivores Dilema by Michael Pallen) and the fact that those representing the city seem to have been polluted by by developmental greed.
Why don’t we make up flyers and literally hand them out and post them at the sites of chain store invasions.
Our biggest political clout, I feel is how we spend our consumer dollars and support sustanable economies.
Firstly, I would like to thank Kenley Neufeld and Ojai Post for calling me and quoting me correctly.
For those of you who are vehement against any multi-store or franchise businesss of any kind, along with most cities and towns, Ojai has Chevron, Vons, Roto-Rooter, Domino’s Pizza, The Medicine Shoppe and other franchised or multi-location businesses that employ locals and contribute to the local economy and job market.
My wife and I made the decision to contact Subway after numerous local and out of town food operators had failed to remain viable in the Matilija Plaza Building. The building is off of Ojai Avenue and needs to draw customers for the retailers that we have in the building. They and we believe that Subway will make that happen.
David DiTomaso’s Subway and we are going to provide a beautiful, smoke free patio for locals and visitors to enjoy reasonably priced, healthy, low-fat sandwiches and perhaps a gourmet cup of coffee or tea from our long-time tenant, Java & Joe.
All of our tenants have expreessed their satisfaction with our decision to welcome Subway to the Matilija Plaza Building.
We trust you will visit our building and patronize our retailers.
Sincerely,
Ernest Salomon
Managing Owner
THE MATILIJA PLAZA GROUP
Dear Ernst -
Thank you for your participation – The Ojai Post serves the Ojai community most effectively when we provide a respectful, open forum for people of disparate opinions to come together. I trust that our other commenters will treat your decision with respect and encourage your participation as well.
That said, I strongly oppose your decision to accept a Subway franchise in your building.
If you were a resident of Ojai, and based on your filing, it appears you are not, you would understand that this issue is far bigger than the fate of one building, and rather it speaks to the core of Ojai’s very identity.
Ojai is a cultural tourism destination. By cultural, it is understood that Ojai has something unique to offer visitors – hiking, biking, national park, and a wealth of unique mom-and-pop retail shops, eateries, hotels and services.
It is a big reason that my partner and I chose Ojai to live – it is not like any other town we’ve been to, because it is not filled with the homogeneity found in virtually every other town in this country. That means no Subway, no Starbucks, no McDonalds, etc.
Your decision might be in your own best interest, but it is not in the best interest of Ojai, and I predict that any gain you realize will be short-term.
Might I also speak to the owner of the Subway franchise, David DiTomaso, who owns 17 Subway franchises. You are quoted as saying “Mine [sic] experience with the SUBWAY chain is very good. I have not only learnt [sic] how to run a business and how to deal with several people in different situations, but I have also made many friends from other franchisees. And of cause it is worth all the hard work if you can realize yours [sic] financial targets.”
http://www.eatsubway.nl/en/franchise_en/experiences/
Meeting your personal financial targets at the expense of our community is not appreciated and will not be tolerated.
Respectfully,
Tyler Suchman
Founder, The Ojai Post
Also talk to Dan Burrell at Jersey Mike’s – I think he might have done things differently had he realized the community outrage would be so strong and so persistent.
So because Ojai already has some chains, though mostly not in the serious retail or restaurant sectors, we should just open the flood gates? What kind of logic is this? Subway is the most aggressive fast-food chain in the world. The have regional agents combing the country and half the world for new locations. They have been known to actually torpedo other Subway franchises in a given area by license more so that they have to compete against one another, sometimes right across the street from each other. Of course, the profits paid to the parent corporation only increase when this happens. This “invitation” to open a Subway here in Ojai smacks of tactics to keep the anti-chain rabble off balance. I’m sure that Subway has been aware of Mr. Solomon’s property for some time.
I am glad that Mr. Solomon has decided for Ojai that the second largest fast-food corporation should come and help employ people here in Ojai. I’m sure people will be very thankful for the minimum wage, high-turnover jobs that will be created. Also, it’s really wonderful that the economy will be so enhanced by this Subway. Of course, it won’t really be the local economy as the employees will not be given a living-wage much less a stake in the profits. The profits will be turned into franchise fees and returned to enhance the local economy of Milford, Connecticut. That’s where the corporation is headquartered. Whatever profit remains after the fees will go to Mr. DiTomaso alone.
Finally, the myth of Low-fat sandwiches. Subway makes no mention of condiments, cheese, sauces or other sandwich add-ons in their much advertised nutritional charts. Ads that tout “less than 6 grams of fat” only take into account the meat, lettuce, tomato and bread. That’s all. Further, their bread is loaded with high fructose corn syrup. One could get the same low-fat “benefits” from a McDonalds Big Mac if you scraped off the special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions and just left the sesame seed bun. In a final bit of cynical, P.T. Barnumesq showmanship, the parent company of all 27,429 franchises is actually named Doctor’s Associates, Inc.(DAI) as if they are a creature of the medical establishment rather than a fast food giant. When the thin patina of health is removed, it becomes readily apparent that Subway is the second largest fast food chain in the world after McDonalds.
This is what Mr. Solomon, for all of us, has “invited” into Ojai.
I hate to dis a local, but we tried on several occassions to support Howie’s. The wait was so long (not comparing to a chain but comparing to, let’s say, Georgios). The food was weak. The staff seemed very disconnected. They we’re located directly across from our wonderful farmer’s market, yet nothing on the menu mentioned local or organic. Everything was just, average. The reality is, when you have stores like Jersey Mikes popping up around town, you have to, as an independent, bump it up a notch or two. Make the locals and tourists feel like they just stepped in to the Ojai we all know and love. I expect a friendly and quirky staff (think Bonnie Lu’s), I expect the menu to reflect something different of the sandwich. If you can’t beat them in speed, and you can’t beat them in price, then beat them in quality. People will flock when the food is good (think of the brand new Iron Pan on Tuesday nights). Folks will pay more for organic, locally grown produce from our amazing bounty in Ojai and if they won’t or wouldn’t, they were already driving to Mira Monte to go to Quizno’s or Subway. I am so dissapointed in the property owners both the Salomon Group and the Fitzgeralds. There are so many successful locals out there. Some even moving to bigger spaces (Think Earthplay). The Fitzgeralds from allegedly returning the deposit check from the Frostie when they were able to grab Jersey Mike’s and to the Salomon’s for approaching Subway. I know the economy is not the greatest right now. But when property owners get scared and rent to a sure thing, there is a greater cost. If we loose the charm of our little small town, then we will lose tourists, we will lose families. The reason why I go 35 mph on the 33 to get to my little home on my little street, is that I know, once I am in Ojai, I am not in Anyplace, USA. If I might suggest one thing to property owners…take a drive up the coast. Spend a glorious weekend in Cambria. Discover why folks from Los Angeles make the trek every week and drop a load of big city dollars. You won’t find a chain in site. Check out Bridge Street, a side street, that just a year or 2 ago, did not have a single business, yet today is thriving without a chain. If the city council is not going to see the big picture and if the voice of Ojai is not getting heard, then we must, please have smart business owners that see how their decisions affect the Ojai of today and tomorrow. The future of downtown Ojai seems to be in the hands of our local property owners. We have the ingredients for locally owned success stories. Ojai property owners need to be brave and Ojai independents need to bring it home and be everything an Ojai indie should/could be. And if that could some how magically happen, then we’d be able to keep our lovely little town and property and business owners would make a ton of money and everyone would live ‘happily ever after.’ See that was easy.
This is a sad development and should be fought. Maintaining the unique community of Ojai should be a high priority. This will be the first of what will become a trend.
Here’s one FUN idea to help fight it:
Find a cartoonist to do a cartoon of a man in a t-shirt with the subway logo eating a hero sandwich with a local sandwich shop owner wearing an Ojai Sandwich-t-shirt inside the sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles all around him and a panicked expression on his face.
SUBWAY’S NEWEST HERO SANDWICH
Post this all around Ojai and submit to the Ojai Valley News ASAP!!!!!
We appreciate all of the comments that have been posted. Most are resonable and show honest concerns.
We have had seven (7)different operators in the building as a sandwich shop in the last 9 years. All have failed to sustain themselves after pouring a great deal of time, money and effort into their businesses. The last tenant left owing several months of rent after buying Howies from Howard.
The decision to lease to Subway was not only based on our financial considerations. It was also based on bringing additional customers to our retail tenants, who are off the beaten track in Ojai compared to those merchants on Ojai Avenue and in the Arcade. We have made ample lease provisions, so that the decor and operation of the store fit in with our building and the area.
We believe that we have done the right thing for our building’s tenants, for the sandwich buying public in Ojai and for ourselves.
Only time will permit everyone concerned to determine who was right.
Sincerely,
Ernest Salomon,
Managing Owner
THE MATILIJA PLAZA
“…the sandwich buying public”. Are you kidding? Ojai isn’t an enclave of consumers, it is comprised of citizens. Your responses lead me to believe that if McDonalds could fit in that spot, you would have gladly sold Ojai down the river and allowed even them to come in. The only thing unreasonable here is your willingness to help destroy this town for your own financial gains.
Ernest,
I appreciate your taking the time to contribute to the dialogue. As Tyler said above, this is a wonderful place for people of disparate opinions to come together.
It saddens and angers me that you have invited Subway in. I know that Subway was turned down by the Fitzgerald’s when they leased to Jersey Mike’s, and I know that Ron Pilito turned down Subway for his new development on Ojai Avenue.
My hope is that the people of Ojai who are opposed to formula business coming in can successfully pass an ordinance limiting or restricting them from our downtown area. If anyone here would like more information about this, feel free to email me at leslie@neuhouse.com.
I’ve left a message for Mayor Carol Smith asking her to put this topic on the next city council meeting agenda. I’ll post an update here when I hear back from her.
I want to share a success story of a local entreprneur who has taken an out of the way location, provided surperior service and quality and has created, through his own ingenuity a, so far, very successful consitent clientele. Who am I speaking of. John at Coffee Connection on El Roblar. An example to follow, encourage and emulate.
To Ernest:
I want to first thank you for addressing this issue with the public in an open and respectful way.
I have to ask how you arrived at the conclusion that a mediocre (at best) chain sandwich corporation is going to attract costumers to other unique and artistic businesses in your building? I’m trying to picture one unique and artistic aspect about Subway.
How did you arrive at this conclusion? You’ve put your reasoning before us, but the logic just isn’t there.
We already have two sandwich shops (Georgios and now Jersey Mikes) within a few blocks of each other in Ojai proper. Have you considered that there is a potential for Subway to financially hurt these other businesses, if not put them out of business (especially Georgios being the furthest out of the cluster)?
I personally could care less about Jersey Mikes… in fact, I haven’t stepped a foot in there since the Brew Pub days. If I had to choose, I’d go with Jersey Mikes over subway. It is more of a small franchise than an actual multi-million dollar chain.
At any rate, what I’m asking you to consider is the idea that one solution (seemingly) often creates a whole set of other problems.
I believe you should try to look at this from a much broader perspective. It appears that you are seeing this as a quick fix, on a micro-economic scale. Please try to look at this on a macro level and evaluate every step before proceeding.
As you may know, in California, when a proposed Project goes through a planning stage, it must be reviewed under the California Environmental Quality Act, in which the public and jurisdictional agencies play a role in shaping the final plans. Your plans aren’t technically defined as a “project” because nothing new is being built, just a simple switch really. And being that the City currently has no policy in place, everything is good to go, right? All the I’s dotted and all the T’s crossed. The only problem is that the public hasn’t reviewed your plans yet and I can assure you that when the greater Ojai begins to sniff the air and become aware of this, it will become increasingly obvious to you that this plan is not good for Ojai.
I believe that you should withdraw your plans until you have sufficiently heard the community’s voice and heard every one of their concerns. This is a monumental decision you and Subway are making and one that will kick the first domino into the economic and cultural downfall of our precious community.
Brian E. Holly, Ojai Citizen of Generation 3, US Citizen of Generation 13 or “X”
Los Padres Saunterers, Matilija Coalition, Democratic Ojai
To Brian:
As I have said in previous postings; you all have a right to your opinions as much as others in Ojai, our tenants and we have a right to ours.
No one knows how much of the population is for, against or neutral on Subway and certainly no one will be forced either to eat or not eat their food.
The lease has been executed by all parties.
We made our decision to lease to Subway on sound reasoning and we surely have no problem with it based on either ethical or moral grounds. Neither Subway, Dave DiTomaso or we have done anything wrong. People might differ on whether we should or should not have entered into the lease, but
differing opinions are what makes Las Vegas casino owners rich and supports horse racing.
As to withdrawing plans;
none have yet been submitted to the Ojai Building Department.
If you have any specific questions, you are free to contact me personally.
Sincerely,
Ernest Salomon
MATILIJA PLAZA GROUP
“We have had seven (7)different operators in the building as a sandwich shop in the last 9 years.”
Maybe a sandwich shop just doesn’t work in this location?!
Ernest,
Thanks for your reply and I might just take you up on the offer to discuss further, outside of this thread.
Three quotes from your previous argument that I would like to address:
1 “No one knows how much of the population is for, against or neutral on Subway and certainly no one will be forced either to eat or not eat their food.”
1.1 This is exaclty why I propose a public review process. Why don’t we find out what the public thinks? I would be more than happy to organize a public forum. Aren’t you interested in knowing if our citizens really care to eat there afterall? Isn’t it in your best interest to not have an 8th failed sandwich shop?
2 “We made our decision to lease to Subway on sound reasoning and we surely have no problem with it based on either ethical or moral grounds. Neither Subway, Dave DiTomaso or we have done anything wrong.”
2.1 No, you haven’t done anything technically wrong, but is what you are doing right for the greater Ojai? Think about that one.
3 “People might differ on whether we should or should not have entered into the lease, but
differing opinions are what makes Las Vegas casino owners rich and supports horse racing.”
Are you comparing your actions to that of a Las Vegas Casion owner? I wouldn’t even hit you with that label. I’m confused with this statement, but I must say that I’m all for differing opinions and believe they should be heard.
If you would like to organize a public forum with us, contact me at beholly@gmail.com or just assume it will be happening anyhow.
Sincerely,
Brian Holly
The only forum that is needed is one to organize a group to submit an initiative to the city council eliminating formula/chain retail and restaurant businesses from Ojai’s downtown. The reason it should be a group that submits the initiative THIS TIME is so we can spread the risk in the event the city council decides to sue AGAIN.
Of course, Monte Widders’ previous lawsuit against Jeff F. also listed 50 John and Jane Does to be named later. Something tells me that the fact that the ACLU has jumped in on that initial lawsuit means they wouldn’t dare try it again. Nevertheless, there’s safety in numbers.
Hello,
Boy, do I miss Ojai. Never a dull moment!!
I owned an operated Simone’s Luncheonette and Ice Cream Parlor at the site in question (from late 2001 to early 2005) and am so saddened (heartbroken, really) to see the business I sold to Howie fail and fall into the hands of a chain. I grew up in Ojai and the thought of a chain in downtown Ojai is almost a sacrilege.
I remember Ernie to be a decent man and landlord and I can understand his frustration with the turnover of commercial tenants. However, to be fair to those who struggled before and after me, the problem was not due to lack of potential customers. People will always go out of their way to patronize a place they like and feel welcomed by. And I would hope that, in my case, the problem wasn’t the lack of quality food or friendly service. What made the business so difficult for me to live off of was a) the non-compete clause I had with Java and Joe (I was unable to sell coffee) and b) the inability to get permission from Ernie to put in a proper vent for cooking. So, a breakfast business was not viable without coffee and hot food, nor was dinner.
While I considered my shop successful (I had a wonderful customer base – kids, families, other business owners, neighboring employees, tourists, etc), it was just next to impossible to make a living with sales from only the lunch crowd.
I wish Ernie would reconsider but to be honest, I’m not sure how a “mom and pop” sandwich shop could ever flourish within the existing parameters.
Very sad, indeed!
Simone Davis
simone.davis@mackayshields.com
Hi Simone – great to have you participate, your perspective is unique and much appreciated. You served up really great garden burgers!
And no worries about cooking vents and permits for Subway – they use a microwave!
http://www.citizen.org/cmep/foodsafety/food_irrad/articles.cfm?ID=10238
Hi Simone. I was in your place at least once a week for lunch. The smoothies and tuna melts were awesome. I guess we’ll have to wait until thay open a Jamba Juice to get smoothies here in Ojai now. On second thought, I guess there’s Rainbow Bridge still.
As reported in the OVN:
Council member Rae Hanstad had one solution: The immediate placement of a temporary moratorium to keep chain stores from opening while the city works on developing an ordinance.
“I’m going to ask for a report on chain stores that includes the possibility of a temporary moratorium on corporate retail stores in our historic district to give the city a chance to develop its policy, “ she said.
Hanstad said she will ask for the report on Tuesday night’s council meeting and request the subject of chain stores to be placed on the next council agenda.
http://ojaivalleynews.blogspot.com/
I would like to know something from Ernest…
Were there other potential clients that were interested in leasing this unit before Subway? I’m just wondering if our economy is deteriorating to the point where chain stores are the only clients that are willing to rent commercial spaces for food at this point in time… If so, that’s okay and I don’t necessarily blame land lords for wanting to occupy their buildings, I’m skeptical to think that Subway was the best fit for this particular location and that their subs are good and healthy. I’m more willing to believe that there was a void in interest for this commercial unit. I wouldn’t expect Ernest to come out and say exactly this and I could be completely wrong. But if I’m right, this town has to get together and solve why we can’t launch successful independent businesses, both from the landlord side and the consumer side. If we can’t do this then unfortunately I could imagine that a harsh division among the citizens will develop…
I am a current tenant of 323 East Matilija Suite 203 directly above the proposed Subway site. My business has been located there for almost six years. My name is on the lease and I have NOT had any discussions with Ernie regarding the Subway idea. There are only a handful of tenants so I would be pretty hard to miss. The fact that he states that ALL the tenants are estatic is false. Unless he doesn’t consider me a real tenant. The first I heard about this was through Leslie last night. Had Ernie inquired with me, as he said he has, I would have offered up my disdain for a dispicable, small city soul sucking sandwich shop Subway simply seems.
I have seen the location go from the Premanandas’ lovely Friends Juice Bar to Simones (best soups by the way) and then Howies when things really started to fall apart (canned soup) and then the distinguishingly misguided gentleman from Oregon who really got it wrong and decided Kosher was the ticket. Weiners that is.
My wife Sabine and I, at one point, were very interested in opening up, you guessed it, a sandwich shop/bakery (Austrian style of course) in that exact location. We inquired with previous tenants and we were met with a chorus of restrictions and knowing Ernie, as I do, he wasn’t going to be the most flexible person to work with. The reason we did not persue this was for the exact reason that Simone states in her post about a proper vent for cooking and the non-compete clause with Java Joe.
I am saddened by this and hope that we as a community can rally against such a tasteless decision.
Dear Ernest -
You told Kenley that you “checked with the other tenants in the building and they are ecstatic” (and thanked Kenley for quoting you correctly).
Then in a comment, you state that “all of our tenants have expressed their satisfaction with our decision to welcome Subway to the Matilija Plaza Building.”
You follow in a subsequent comment that “we believe that we have done the right thing for our building’s tenants.”
A further comment from you states “you all have a right to your opinions as much as others in Ojai, our tenants and we have a right to ours.”
But clearly you do not speak for your tenant of six years, Greg Macke, who says he was never consulted and disdains your decision to invite Subway into Ojai.
While I advocate that anyone who participates on The Ojai Post is treated with respect, you clearly have lost a significant amount of credibility with our readership.
If you want to speak on behalf of yourself, a business owner who lives in Santa Barbara, and operates a multi-tenant commercial building in downtown Ojai, that’s fine. But don’t falsely represent that your decision has more support than it does.
I look forward to our authors gathering actual on-the-record comments from every one of your tenants and tallying up the score.
Regards,
Tyler
I briefly spoke to two of the tenants at 323 E. Matilija and both said that they were informed that Subway was going to lease, but after the papers and notice was posted. It doesn’t seem that the comment “checked with the other tenants in the building and they are ecstatic” is a concensus. Not that legally Ernest has to ask his other tenants who he rents to but I do want some accountability with the truthfulness of the statements made. One person said to me “I have no comment. When my lease is up and time for renewal it is Ernie who I have to answer to to keep my commercial space.” So is this the kind of fear that is existing between tenant and landlord these days?
I don’t object to a Subway sandwich shop in Ojai. I believe it will provide an inexpensive lunch alternative for lower-income folks during their workday. The fact that it will not be located in the tourist zone of Ojai Ave., but rather the resident-friendly Matilija Street makes reasonable sense.
I also think there may be some constitutional issues associated with trying to bar certain companies from the downtown area. Ojai does not need another lawsuit. The emphasis on chain eateries as opposed to chain banks, supermarkets, gas stations, etc. will, I believe, pose difficulties should a lawsuit result.
For the record:
This will be my last comment on the subject, but I don’t want to let tenants’ reactions to my announcement hang.
We do do not “consult” with any tenants before we sign leases with a new tenant. All of the tenants that I spoke with about our decision were spoken to on a casual basis, after we had entered into a lease agreement with Subway. None, not one, expressed
dissatisfaction with our decision. I did not speak with all of them.
Any of them now voicing “politically correct” statements in answer to questions on their position on the subject are free to do so.
Simone is correct in he statement about restrictions. Even prior to leasing the premises, previous tenants wanted to cook with an open flame. Stove venting for open flame cooking would have involved going up two stories and then have had roof penetration, all at great expense. We were advised and agreed that roof penetration was asking for future roof problems. The biggest hurtle was the lack of fire sprinklers in the building. We did not want, nor could we have afforded any of the contruction needed and the additional expenses of both the huge construction costs and the added insurance premiums. Simone was not about to be able to pay for them either.
There will continue to be no open flame cooking in the building.
As to Greg Macke:
Well, Greg is Greg and he has been a chained prisoner in our building’s dungeon on his month-to-month lease for almost six years now. His proposed sandwhich shop was never discussed with inflexible me, but then as I said, Greg is Greg.
Happy Easter To All of You!
I broke the Subway news to Robert, owner of Giorgio’s Subs, when I went in there for a lunchtime turkey sub today.
His sentiment was similar to many of ours – chain stores destroy the character of Ojai, which is what brought him and his wife to Ojai in the first place.
I’ve invited him to participate on The Ojai Post, and hope he does. The voices of our mom-and-pop merchants are very important in this chain store debate.
The sub was really good, with friendly service to boot. Stop in to Giorgio’s if you’re looking for a sub sandwich, and patronize a business that truly contributes to the Ojai community. Not one that sends its corporate profits to a franchise owner outside of Ojai and a corporate HQ on the east coast.
I felt bad for Robert when Jersey Mikes opened, I don’t know how it affected his business. I miss that place. I and my daughter would walk over in the evening to have dinner, soda for her and a draft(can’t do that at SW) for me. It was heaven for me. Robert and his wife are the coolest!
On an individual basis we all can help people like Robert and his wife by directing people to their doors. I would never send someone where I wouldn’t go, like subway. Word of mouth is almost everything in business. When I go to a town I’m not familiar with, I look for locals to find where they go. So when you make a suggestion, they(friends,tourists) are grateful.
As for the post mentioning SW’s having affordable prices. When they open, get their take home menu, and compare it to places such as Giorgios. You might save one or two dollars, but you are giving up real food, service, atmosphere and the camaraderie of fellow Ojaians that made the same choice for the same reasons you did.No, it’s not Cheers, but damn close at times, sometimes better.
Tyler, can you get the correct spelling of Robert’s wife’s name next time you go in. I don’t want to butcher it here in a feeble attempt.
I can certainly see why Mr. Salomon would want to back out of discussing this now.
Just to let you know, Mr. Salomon, “All of our tenants have expreessed their satisfaction with our decision to welcome Subway to the Matilija Plaza Building,” is not the same as “All of the tenants that I spoke with…I did not speak with all of them.”
Using leading sentences to imply consensus where there is none is unacceptable. Trying to provide yourself some wiggle room by employing humor to denigrate your tenant, using smear phrases like “politically correct,” and setting up strawmen to avoid the central issue does not help your case.
It doesn’t really matter whether you “consulted” or spoke with your tenants on a “casual” basis, though there is surely a difference in terms of community building – what matters is that you claimed consensus where there is none.
For all I know, “all” of the tenants you spoke with could be one or two. Once you crack open the door to lost credibility who knows what will come slinking through.
Just writing to post my objection to Subways and al other such franchises in Ojai proper.
I appreciate the small locally owned stores and their uniqueness. I shop in town and will not patronize in any of the chains. I urge the council and chamber of commerce to guard our small town atmosphere.
Annat O. Provo
living in Ojai Valley and working in Ojai.
I just heard that Quiznos in Mira Monte will be closed in about 2 weeks. My sister in law was told by the employees there just yesterday.
As a former Howie’s fan, I am appalled that Ojai will now have a SECOND chain sandwich shop. Howie’s had the best smoothies and burgers and was LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED. I oppose any new addition of chain stores that come to Ojai. This just canabalizes the business of the many independently owned enterprises that have invested their entire lives into making Ojai a unique, chain store free place to live and visit. An immediate moratorium on chain stores in Ojai would be the best solution. This would enable the City of Ojai to draft a legally viable ordinance that would limit franchises in the City limits.
We moved to Ojai to get away from chain stores and cookie cutter mentality. I’m extremely disappointed that our City leaders have not placed this as a top priority to help keep Ojai’s unique small town charm. The Jersey Mikes’s and Subways of the world do nothing but degrade the small town character of our community.
Lastly, the landlord has the option of leasing to a non-sandwich enterprise. Maybe this isn’t the type of business that will ever thrive in this location. If no one has succeeded in 10 years, why would Subway survive in this exact location??
I for one will NOT patronize any of these chain store establishments and will continue to invest my purchasing power into the many wonderful independently owned and operated businesses in town. Maybe if we all do the same, this will show that chain stores don’t belong in Ojai!
‘why would Subway survive in this exact location??’ – D.O.
What does Subway spend on advertising every year? Has any previous tenant spent even 1/10,000th on ads? I just spent 2 months visiting family on the North Shore where Subway media saturation via TV is the norm. My TV watching fam patronizes Subway on a weekly basis. Coincidence? Is this a reckless extraction of the specific from the general? Anyway, this shall be an interesting experiment.
It’s more than that Didj, it’s the whole fight. If Subway goes in, What we knew as Ojai will be gone forever. Sounds dramatic, I know, but it really is that dire. How the people of Ojai resond to this threat will make this town. If Subway goes in, Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and all the rest are right behind, I assure you.
‘why would Subway survive in this exact location??’ – D.O.
Unlike an independent, the individual Subway store does not need to generate enough money to support a living for the owner operator. It merely needs to generate positive cash flow, built on low wages and cheap ingredients. The franchisee makes his/her living by having a bunch of stores, each of which throw off a little bit of postive cash flow. That is why the business model of chains is so attractive to some. And why independent owner-operator shops are so vulnerable when these beasts come to town. They can discount and coupon everyone else out of business, relying on the positive cash flow of the other shops. Then all we’ve got is the chains. We’re on our way – enjoy the ride!
I submitted initiatives that could have stopped this, and was sued for my trouble. Not just sued, but as the ACLU has described, SLAPPed. The City is still spending our tax dollars to defend its SLAPP suit and prevent the people of Ojai from having a voice. The natural consequence of the City’s action includes this – the world’s second largest fast food chain establishing itself in the arcade plaza. How sad.
I don’t blame Ernie Salomon. He is an out of town landlord making a buck in accordance with the rules. Blame the city council, who chose to file a baseless lawsuit rather than engage these issues. They have “changed the rules,” to paraphrase the Subway franchisee, making chains welcome in our downtown. We are all paying the price. And have no doubt, more are on the way.
Get used to it. Every small town eventually modernizes. Chain stores provide the town with tax for it’s budget, and jobs for everyone. I’ll bet Trader Joes will be here one day, and shut down Vons, Westridge, and Starr. If you don’t want chain stores, then fork out some cash and open your own business if it concerns you that much. This all sounds just like a bunch of blabber to me. If you hate change, I suggest you move up into Rose Valley or the outskirts where there are no stores, and no familiar names.
Since I posted this story on Wednesday afternoon, Subway’s number of restaurants has already increased from 27,428 to 27,445. I’m gonna go back in and update my headline.
Dear Anonymous (two comments up) -
Chain stores provide the town with tax for it’s budget
This is highly misleading. The town is heavily dependent on tourism. The city gets over 28% of its revenue from TOT (the hotel bed tax), and 16% from sales tax, much of which is generated by tourists.
If we cease to become a cultural tourism destination, because people no longer see us as a unique destination, then our annual city income drops significantly. Look what happened when the Inn & Spa was largely shut down for renovations.
As Sean put it in a comment above, no one vacations in Westlake Village.
Quite frankly, Anonymous, if you are so happy to have chains, why don’t you move to pretty much anywhere in the United States other than Ojai and embrace your blissfully ignorant inner consumer.
Preacher Sean – Not sure how you extracted that particular interpretation/reaction from my prior collection of words. ‘When you say its more than that Didj, its the whole fight.” I am left scratching my baldhead in confusion. I look at what I wrote, I look at your reaction and I am befuddled. No where do I say in any way: ‘This is how it is.’ I merely share my possibley unique angle.
The last sentence seems to be adressed to me as well although again I fail to see why.
Diverse opinions, different perspectives, logical discourse and thoughtful discussion can provide a strong foundation towards reaching goals.
The vast majority of what you say on these forums is quite intelligent. I suspect the heat of the moment may have contributed to this rare aberration. You see Sean, in no way do I suport or endorse the gradual encroachment of characterless, artless and unimaginative franchises into the Ojai Valley, which all seem happily bent on turning profits from turning humans into stuffed animals.
The Didj choir
Didj,
Mearly using your previous post as a jump off to again state how dire the situation truly is. I was not trying to say you like formula businesses.
Had dinner at Feast last night and went to a Pilates class this morning with a dozen Ojaians – this is what everone is talking about and they are not happy at all.
–”Get used to it. Every small town eventually modernizes. Chain stores provide the town with tax for it’s budget, and jobs for everyone.” – Anonymous
Come on. Modernize? You actually see formula retail and restaurant businesses as a form of modernization? If that’s true then chain stores are to the economy as global warming is to the industrialization of the world. It would seem to me that both need to be curbed in a big way.
I believe I’ve already addressed your helpless jobs for everyone theory, but what of the taxes. As Tyler stated, 16% of the tax revenue to the city comes from sales tax. Okay, so there would be sales tax revenue derived from a Subway. But remember, Subway sandwiches are CHEAP in every sense of that word. Moreover, Subway likes to give coupons and discounts until the competition, both chain (Jersey Mikes) and indy (Ruben’s, Jim & Rob’s, Giorgios, etc.) are dead. This would actually translate into lower revenues from sales tax for every sandwich they sell. Like I said earlier, people ‘aint coming up here to eat at Subway. Now if by your comment you meant that there would be more sales tax generated with a Subway in that space than if that space were vacant, you are still wrong because of the enzymatic effect on competition that a Subway would have and that I’ve outlined above.
The mythical Trader Joe’s is coming to Ojai scenario. I’ve lived in Ojai long enough to have heard this rumor four different times. Once it was the bowling alley, another time it was the old Dahl’s Market in Oak View. Undoubtedly TJ’s would do well up here, but for all its’ bohemian trappings, it is a chain. It is not, however, a franchise. Its’ +/- 278 stores are privately owned and headquartered in Monrovia, Ca. All of TJ’s employees are paid a “living wage” with actual bonuses and a company funded retirement plan. In fact, TJ’s pays better than union wages, even better than our existing Von’s location which is currently engaged in another round of negotiations with the union aimed at further lowering the wages and benefits of their employees. In contrast, TJ’s even offers health insurance to part-timers that work more than 20 hrs. a week. Of course, full timers are covered. There’s a reason you see people who care about the chain/formula business issue shopping at Trader Joe’s. That said, I’m a little ambivalent about having a “good” chain like TJ’s here in the valley as I’m afraid of what it would do to Starr Market and Westridge.
Finally, the franchise business plan is arguably the most caustic to any community. A large corporation identifies a potential / vulnerable community to enter and essentially partners up with a local individual franchisee who agrees to operate and license the business from the corporation. The corporation buys national saturation advertising and maintains supply lines and supposedly enforces “quality” and appearance for the individual locations. The national corporation, in this case Doctors Associates, Inc. owned by Peter Buck and Fred DeLuca, wins because each franchisee pays them a license fee, and the franchisee can win by opening multiples and skimming whatever remaining profits are there after all overhead and fees are paid. Of course, the national corporation can decide to get even more fees from a give area by licensing even more franchises in a given area. Their fee remains the same, but now the local environment has two or three Subways all competing for their lives. Doctors Associates, Inc. is famous for this – see Fast Food Nation. Franchising is one of the most intensive wealth extraction devices ever devised by business. The end result of an invasion of this kind is what you see in most communities nationwide. Multiple franchise chains saturating an area and excluding all non-chain competition and often even axing each other in subsequent competitive waves. The national corporation couldn’t care less that its’ relentless quest for profits have basically decimated all original, local business. As they and their supporters are fond of saying, their only responsibility is to the bottom line, and by extension, that is all any of us should care about. Constant mindless competition in quest for the all mighty dollar. I had hoped that Ojai was a little different.
Bull’s eye.
Thank you Tyler, Sean and Greg for your comments above. The loyal, consistent and cheerful support I recieved from you and all my other customers was – and is to this day – truly appreciated! And as most comments here suggest, the importance of supporting local, small businesses is more important than ever. Good luck in your struggle. I say that in part out of selfish reasons – I hope to be able to recognize Ojai the next time I am able to visit!!
P.S. Greg, if you and your wife want any of my mom’s soup recipes, please feel free to email me. She was saddened to learn that they were going to waste. (You certainly won’t be getting fresh, homemade soup at Subway!)
Again, good luck!
Since Ernest Salomon is on this thread, perhaps he can set the record straight on another rumor, which is that we lost Lynda.com, one of our better local employers, because he jacked up the rent?
Seeems to me that if the wider community beacame aware of this we would start to show a real movement that would take on high energy credibility.
How do we do that?
Leslie I know that your mind is spinning on that. Maybe tomorrow we can hand out leaflets at the farmers market. This would target most people who would be interested in the lease agreement. I am not skilled at producing such a flyer, but maybe someone is. The word has got to spread efficiently! Obviously Ernest does not have the pulse of this city in his grasp and maybe he is beyond enlightment but if he only could understand the gravity of his decision (by an uprising) he would see the problem. This should be front page stuff on the Voice! Where is OVN?
Also can someone move this article to the top of the front page here? This seems to be more important than the raw almonds.
Yeah, it was on the front page of Wednesday’s OVN.
Just wondering what kind of progress Citizens for a Chain-Free Ojai has made. When is their next meeting?
see open thread #2
Not to be a downer, but it seems that Subway coming in might be a sign that Citizens for a Chain Free Ojai has not made much progress. Nor did the initiatives. But here’s one thing: Since the City obviously is not afraid of filing lawsuits, and the Council all say they are against chains, maybe they could sic their lawyer on Subway? Why not order him to file a lawsuit – any lawsuit will do – against Salomon and Subway? Sue them for conspiracy to ruin Ojai’s unique character.
Or does the city only file lawsuits against citizens who are trying to protect Ojai from chains?
From the first comment on this thread:
“I pray that you won’t have to someday soon report about the new REI where Rains used to be, sandwiched between a Starbucks and a Chipotle Grill.”
As is shown by Subway’s example, people should have no illusions that the chains coming to Ojai will be the upscale ones. Its far more likely to be Big 5 and Taco Bell than REI and (McDonalds-owned) Chipotle Grill. This is a race to the bottom. For those who want to envision what a chain-filled Ojai will look like, think Oxnard, not State Street Santa Barbara.
The Ojai City Council will be holding a special meeting immediately following the regular Council meeting on Tuesday. This should be around 8:00pm since the regular meeting has very few agenda items. If you wish to speak on Subway or the topic of formula retail, please come and speak at the special meeting.
The purpose of the special meeting, from my understanding, is to discuss the option of a temporary moratorium, discuss options on Subway, and hear from the public.
Expect a special announcement from me later today or tomorrow on the topic of formula retail in Ojai that may be of interest to all in Ojai.
I think we should put all these great posts together, edit them, and get our David and Goliath (small town fights the big chains) story into the LA Times and beyond. This is a HOT story. Joe’s No Vote at City Hall tonight makes the story even more riveting. The publicity will keep the Subways of the world out of our downtown core.
Downtown core ‘aint good enough. The entire city limits.
I agree!
Have been an Ojai resident for fifteen years, and anything that diminishes the charm and uniques character of our little village must be stopped in any way possible. If they open a Subway in spite of opposition from the locals? One word: boycott.
Number of Subway franchises is up to 27,538 now.
That’s 110 new Subway franchises opened since I posted the original article on 4/4/07.
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