Formula businesses (aka “chain stores”) erode community character by giving us “cookie-cutter” establishments and less space for independent small businesses.  They can result in net job losses, cause locally owned small businesses to close and siphon local dollars to remote corporate headquarters locations.  We already have our fair share, and there are large sections of our commercial corridors in Curtis Park (especially Broadway and the Curtis Park Village project) that are vulnerable to future formula business development. We seek to help open doors for independent, locally-owned small businesses – both those we have and those we can attract - by placing limits on chain stores in Curtis Park. 

 

Preserving our character and our local small business sector requires a strong, community-wide response.

 By signing the petition you will:

• Help preserve and promote the unique character of our historic neighborhood

• Help revitalize struggling commercial corridors such as Franklin Blvd., Broadway, Sutterville Rd., and Freeport Blvd.

• Stimulate home-grown neighborhood vitality and diversity = more choice 

Why should you make the effort to sign the petition?

• To maintain the diverse mix of historic homes, beautiful parks, independent small businesses, and the Sierra 2 Center that makes our neighborhood special

• To support entrepreneurial small businesses which enhance the unique character of the neighborhood, give us choice and bring desired goods and services within walking or biking distance  

• To provide local jobs and keep more of our dollars in the local economy

Formula businesses are defined as any that operate 10 or more other similar establishments worldwide and maintain two or more of the following standardized features:  merchandise, facade, signage, decor, color scheme, uniform apparel, trademark or service mark.  The law shall be applied prior to the issuance of any commercial building permit or development application in which a specific use/occupant is proposed at a specific location.  The law will apply to both sides of and the area between Freeport Blvd., Business 80/Hwy 50, Hwy 99 and Sutterville Road.

The neighbors listed below are working to launch a “Buy Local” initiative.  We are planning multiple efforts to achieve the objectives above, including outreach to local businesses, education of neighbors, special events, and the creation of new city rules to restrict chain businesses in our neighborhood and its surrounding commercial corridors.   Other communities in California have done it -- so can we! 

Please get involved. 

Check out our blog at curtisparkcharacter.blogspot.com

Contact us at curtisparkcharacter@gmail.com

 

Kathleen Ave – 25th Street

Erik deKok – Castro Way

Rosanna Herber – Castro Way

Kathy Les – Portola Way

Nancy McKeever – Cutter Way

Bruce Pierini – 25th Street

Rob Archie, Pangaea – 5th Ave & Franklin Blvd

Marcos Guizar, Fitsom Studios – 2nd Ave & Franklin Blvd

 

Curtis Park Character Advocates

Initiative Actions & Ideas

 

Shop the Park / Buy Local Project

• Directory of local businesses
• Discounts for SCNA and other NA members
• Promotion via newsletter inserts, social media, events
• Eventual expansion to Oak, Land & Hollywood Parks

Education & Events

• Workshops on benefits of local economic development
• Viewpoint Articles
• Exploration of Long-term development opportunities (partnering with DMV, SCC, McClatchy, for example)
• Diversity in housing / Historic District status

New City Code Petition

• Promotes locally owned businesses that enhance neighborhood character
• Requires new or expanded national chain stores to conform to Neighborhood Character Guidelines or locate elsewhere