News
ENLARGE
Nevada City Council members - no strangers to controversy - could soon feel like a proverbial slice of ham stuck in a sandwich. Or given the city's penchant for quaintness, a croque-monsieur.
On one side is a new downtown business, run by a member of the Smith Vineyard family (though not backed by the winery itself), that wants to open a Beach Hut Deli franchise at the 100 Union Street building.
The handsome-looking brick building, built by Gary Tintle and owned by Lowell Robinson - both generous local business people - is the pride of downtown planners. It was the site of a community "bathroom raising" and the new downtown farmer's market.
On the other side, however, is a group of upset downtown merchants who have signed a petition to protest the franchise. "We, the small business owners of Nevada City, are hereby petitioning the city council to preserve Nevada City's historic downtown by enforcing existing ordinances and/or enact new ordinances banning formulaic and/or franchise businesses such as drive-ins and/or fast food chains from operating within Nevada City's Historical District.
"This includes the opening of a Beach Hut deli ... The preservation of its historic district is 'essential to the economic and cultural life of the city.' It also would set a precedent."
Council in hot seat
On one side is a new downtown business, run by a member of the Smith Vineyard family (though not backed by the winery itself), that wants to open a Beach Hut Deli franchise at the 100 Union Street building.
The handsome-looking brick building, built by Gary Tintle and owned by Lowell Robinson - both generous local business people - is the pride of downtown planners. It was the site of a community "bathroom raising" and the new downtown farmer's market.
On the other side, however, is a group of upset downtown merchants who have signed a petition to protest the franchise. "We, the small business owners of Nevada City, are hereby petitioning the city council to preserve Nevada City's historic downtown by enforcing existing ordinances and/or enact new ordinances banning formulaic and/or franchise businesses such as drive-ins and/or fast food chains from operating within Nevada City's Historical District.
"This includes the opening of a Beach Hut deli ... The preservation of its historic district is 'essential to the economic and cultural life of the city.' It also would set a precedent."
Council in hot seat
The council and city planners are caught in the middle of the latest Nevada City brouhaha.
Existing ordinances only appear to regulate signage and architecture, not franchise delis. This no doubt will be a point of discussion since the Beach Hut features a beach theme: "The tables are surfboards and the entire deli is adorned with beach and surf memorabilia," according to www.beachhutdeli.com.
But wait, there's more: "The beach theme has evolved into a beach culture yielding, among other things, a wall of infamy with photos of happy patrons and our Beach Hut staff having fun and sporting their beach attire."
Beach Hut Deli, started in 1981 in Granite Bay, now has 19 locations in Northern California and Reno.
To be sure, I have some concerns about the "flatlander" franchise deli.
First of all, beach themes and gold-rush themes don't mix anywhere near well as light rum, dark rum, orange curacao and lime juice (the ingredients of a Mai Tai). In fact, it's a culture clash.
Second, it came as a surprise that the deli was going to be a Beach Hut franchise. "Smitty's Sandwich Shop" will serve beer and wine in a 1,430-square-foot shop that should seat between 45 and 50 customers is what Tintle said in April. As it turns out, this was the fictitious business name.
The Union Street building's tenants already have generated some controversy: Much of the remaining space in the building, including the entire second floor, is being leased to the DA's office. Some people have criticized the deal as ill-timed, citing the economic downturn. The deal also does not generate needed sales-tax revenue.
Existing ordinances only appear to regulate signage and architecture, not franchise delis. This no doubt will be a point of discussion since the Beach Hut features a beach theme: "The tables are surfboards and the entire deli is adorned with beach and surf memorabilia," according to www.beachhutdeli.com.
But wait, there's more: "The beach theme has evolved into a beach culture yielding, among other things, a wall of infamy with photos of happy patrons and our Beach Hut staff having fun and sporting their beach attire."
Beach Hut Deli, started in 1981 in Granite Bay, now has 19 locations in Northern California and Reno.
To be sure, I have some concerns about the "flatlander" franchise deli.
First of all, beach themes and gold-rush themes don't mix anywhere near well as light rum, dark rum, orange curacao and lime juice (the ingredients of a Mai Tai). In fact, it's a culture clash.
Second, it came as a surprise that the deli was going to be a Beach Hut franchise. "Smitty's Sandwich Shop" will serve beer and wine in a 1,430-square-foot shop that should seat between 45 and 50 customers is what Tintle said in April. As it turns out, this was the fictitious business name.
The Union Street building's tenants already have generated some controversy: Much of the remaining space in the building, including the entire second floor, is being leased to the DA's office. Some people have criticized the deal as ill-timed, citing the economic downturn. The deal also does not generate needed sales-tax revenue.
The DA's office previously had occupied less desirable space at the county courthouse, rather than a new private office building. The county defends the deal as prudent.
Nevada City fathers also praise the deal, though some must be squirming at the latest retail twist.
The remaining retail space at 100 Union remains vacant - a testament to the weak economy.
Despite the concerns, I wonder what place government has regulating whether a deli such as Beach Hut can occupy retail or office space, providing it confirms to architecture and signage standards of the historic district.
City efforts to freeze ground floor office space, at the height of the real estate boom almost four years ago, have been met with mixed reviews. Not everyone agreed with the ordinance, arguing the market would mend itself through attrition. Sure enough, it did: Real estate offices, including the one that became a lightening rod for the issue, are closed and up for rent.
I sympathize with businesses that are hurting during the economic slump. Our family continues to patronize the restaurants in downtown Nevada City, and we hope others do too.
Face the competition
Nevada City fathers also praise the deal, though some must be squirming at the latest retail twist.
The remaining retail space at 100 Union remains vacant - a testament to the weak economy.
Despite the concerns, I wonder what place government has regulating whether a deli such as Beach Hut can occupy retail or office space, providing it confirms to architecture and signage standards of the historic district.
City efforts to freeze ground floor office space, at the height of the real estate boom almost four years ago, have been met with mixed reviews. Not everyone agreed with the ordinance, arguing the market would mend itself through attrition. Sure enough, it did: Real estate offices, including the one that became a lightening rod for the issue, are closed and up for rent.
I sympathize with businesses that are hurting during the economic slump. Our family continues to patronize the restaurants in downtown Nevada City, and we hope others do too.
Face the competition
On the other hand, competition is a fact of life. At The Union, a 144-year-old local business, we compete in a deal that allows the Sacramento Bee and New York Times (but not The Union) to be sold inside Starbucks coffee houses. I was gratified to see market forces at work this week, when a Starbucks customer and loyal reader of The Union complained about the arrangement to its management.
In addition, Nevada City has been generous to the plight of local businesses despite opposition. It has supported an effort for a "upscale" flea market in the Stonehouse Restaurant parking lot, and it has allowed Dos Banditos to pitch a tent at the top of Broad Street to offer tacos, burritos and hot dogs. Dos Banditos owner Eric Engstrom is among the local merchants protesting the opening of the Beach Hut deli.
Sometimes competition can raise the bar on quality and customer service. It can prompt business owners to re-examine their own business practices and perhaps make improvements.
Other entrepreneurs also had a chance to open a deli at 100 Union or another location. A recent city survey showed a demand for a sandwich shop.
The deli also is a locally owned franchise that generates needed sales tax revenue and foot traffic for the city. Steve Smith, who will run the business along with his wife, Cindy, is a Grass Valley firefighter. I hope the couple is a generous donor, as is the locally owned McDonald's franchise in Grass Valley.
Let's hope the dustup over a new deli downtown quickly subsides, so the city can tackle more pressing problems: keeping the downtown vibrant, financing road repair and other projects with needed sales tax revenue, addressing complaints about loitering across the street in Callahan Park and dealing with homeless encampments behind Pioneer Park, among other issues.
Perhaps the deli can strike a compromise too and offer a "munchable miner's" sandwich between the "surfin' bird" and "beach bikini" sandwich that exists on the menu.
Jeff Pelline is the editor of The Union. His column appears on Saturdays. Contact him at 477-4235, jeffp@theunion.com, or 464 Sutton Way, Grass Valley 95945.
In addition, Nevada City has been generous to the plight of local businesses despite opposition. It has supported an effort for a "upscale" flea market in the Stonehouse Restaurant parking lot, and it has allowed Dos Banditos to pitch a tent at the top of Broad Street to offer tacos, burritos and hot dogs. Dos Banditos owner Eric Engstrom is among the local merchants protesting the opening of the Beach Hut deli.
Sometimes competition can raise the bar on quality and customer service. It can prompt business owners to re-examine their own business practices and perhaps make improvements.
Other entrepreneurs also had a chance to open a deli at 100 Union or another location. A recent city survey showed a demand for a sandwich shop.
The deli also is a locally owned franchise that generates needed sales tax revenue and foot traffic for the city. Steve Smith, who will run the business along with his wife, Cindy, is a Grass Valley firefighter. I hope the couple is a generous donor, as is the locally owned McDonald's franchise in Grass Valley.
Let's hope the dustup over a new deli downtown quickly subsides, so the city can tackle more pressing problems: keeping the downtown vibrant, financing road repair and other projects with needed sales tax revenue, addressing complaints about loitering across the street in Callahan Park and dealing with homeless encampments behind Pioneer Park, among other issues.
Perhaps the deli can strike a compromise too and offer a "munchable miner's" sandwich between the "surfin' bird" and "beach bikini" sandwich that exists on the menu.
Jeff Pelline is the editor of The Union. His column appears on Saturdays. Contact him at 477-4235, jeffp@theunion.com, or 464 Sutton Way, Grass Valley 95945.
