Arizmendi Bakery

Would you like to keep chain stores out of the Inner Sunset? There is a public hearing on Thursday, April 5th April 19th at noon at City Hall, Room 400, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. If you can, please attend. Otherwise, you can email the planning commissioners a letter. Read more for the commissioners’ email addresses along with a sample letter. You can also try CLICKING HERE.

Or call Elizabeth Watty at the planning department: 558-6620.

Or come into the store and sign our petition.

Thanks!

elizabeth.watty@sfgov.org
rodney@waxmuseum.com
cwu.planning@gmail.com
wordweaver21@aol.com
plangsf@gmail.com
rm@well.com
mooreurban@aol.com
hs.commish@yahoo.com

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing to voice my opposition to the proposed formula retail business La Boulange Café and Bakery at 1266 9th Ave. 

La Boulange is undergoing a rapid expansion.  They currently have eighteen bakeries in the Bay Area, twelve in San Francisco.  The Chronicle's website reported that La Boulange has plans to sell retail products at Whole Foods and is considering expanding to New York and LA.  Pascal Rigo the owner said, "We actually are trying to be ‘too big.’ ... we think we can open as many as the market can absorb.”  

There are six bakeries within three blocks of La Boulange’s proposed site, as well as numerous cafes and lunch restaurants.  La Boulange’s next closest location is a mere ten blocks away.  I understand that competition is a normal and expected part of retail business, but given La Boulange’s increasing size and apparent desire to saturate the marketplace I believe our neighborhood businesses would be at competitive disadvantage if they moved in.

Furthermore, the approved development for 1266 9th Ave. specified 15 residential and 3 commercial units, however La Boulange’s plans have them occupying the entire commercial space.  A single 3000 sq. ft. commercial unit is not how this project was characterized to the neighborhood when this project was approved.

I understand that asking the Planning Commission to deny any business the ability to open a store is a serious request, however allowing La Boulange to continue with its plans would be denying three potential small businesses the opportunity to thrive in the Inner Sunset.

Sincerely,