San Carlos to Consider Downtown Parking Meters (again…)

A Love/Hate Relationship.

In what is becoming the latest chapter in an ongoing saga regarding downtown parking meters, the City of San Carlos is now actively looking to hire a consultant to determine whether it makes financial sense to install parking meters downtown — this according to an article by David DeBolt in this morning’s Daily Post.  (I would have included a link to this article but the Post does not have an online edition, so I will paraphrase the key points. )

This is certainly a turnabout to the most recent sentiment on parking meters within the San Carlos City Council, which has largely been opposed to installing meters downtown.   But according to the article, Public Works Director Robert Weil is prepared to spend $10,000-$20,000 on a study that will investigate whether the installation of meters will bring in enough revenue to justify the cost, if there will be any negative impact on downtown businesses, and what technologies are available today in the world of parking meters.

Just a Study…For Now.

In the Post’s article, Robert Weil was careful to stress that the City is NOT endorsing the installation of parking meters just yet.  But they do want to investigate the revenue potential to help offset our budget deficit.   An earlier study conducted back in 1999 determined that paid parking could generate about $480,000 each year.  With the huge growth of the Laurel Street shopping district, one would think that this number could be much higher?

What do you think?

Should San Carlos join the likes of Redwood City and other neighboring communities who already have parking meters in their downtown shopping districts?   Let us know by voting on the poll below, or by leaving a comment.

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(Editorial credit to David DeBolt of the Daily Post for the details cited in this article.)

In-N-Out Burgers in San Carlos: Is it a Done Deal?

Not Everyone Is On Board.

There was quite a buzz around San Carlos when news first broke that In-N-Out Burgers was planning to open up a restaurant right here in our city.  In-N-Out Burgers has a cult-like following in Northern California, obviously because people like the food.  But a big part of their success lies in the fact that they aren’t an omnipresent chain like McDonalds or Starbucks.   They play the supply-and-demand game like a fiddle.  Consequently, when they pick a location to open a new restaurant it’s pretty big news — especially for a cash-strapped city like San Carlos.

But not all of the buzz about In-N-Out coming to San Carlos has been positive.   Residents in close proximity to the proposed site are worried about the effects of increased traffic to an already overloaded intersection at Holly and Industrial.  Others have publicly questions whether selling the land outright to In-N-Out as opposed to leasing it was the best choice for a cash-strapped city.  Regardless of where you stand on these issues, the point is clear — not everyone is on board with this plan.   Which leads to the following question:

Is This a Done Deal?

Right now the land sale to In-N-Out is in the final stages of closing.  But it’s important to note that closing this deal is conditional on In-N-Out being able to secure the necessary permits from the San Carlos Building and Planning Commissions.  In addition, this project may be approved or rejected by these Commissions, as well as the City Council, depending on the amount and relevance of public opposition.   So it goes without saying that a few eyebrows were raised when there was a discussion at the Jan 11th City Council Meeting on possible ways to spend the proceeds of the land sale.   Some residents were a bit miffed by what came across as City Hall acting like the deal was already done.

So…What Do You Think?

Some time has passed since the initial news broke.  What are your thoughts now on In-N-Out coming to San Carlos?   Is it a good fit for San Carlos?  Or will it create more problems than it’s worth?  As I mentioned above, public opinion will have an impact on the approval process.  So let everyone know what you think by leaving a comment, and by voting in the following poll — I’m told that this blog occasionally makes the rounds in the Council Chambers, so your comments will indeed be seen:

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San Carlos Downtown Business Spotlight: The Door Christian Bookstore

An extended economic malaise like the one we’re living through can really make things stressful for people.   Employment and financial worries can dominate your thoughts and actions, and make things much more difficult than they need to be.  If you’re looking for an uplifting experience to get your mind off of your worries, check out The Door at 787 Laurel Street in San Carlos.

The Door is a unique little bookstore/cafe that focuses on creating a positive, Christian environment.    There are lots of religious and self-improvement books, as well as inexpensive gifts and jewelry with a positive message.      In October of 2009, they added a full coffee bar to the bookstore to encourage group meetings, or just to provide a quiet place to take a break.

This store is one of those San Carlos treasures that gives Laurel Street such a unique feel.   For more information, click here for The Door’s website, or here for their reviews on Yelp.

And remember….Shop San Carlos!

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San Carlos Blockbuster: What’s next for this location?

It’s not necessarily news when businesses change in San Carlos.   But when one business’ demise opens up a prime store front on the booming north section of Laurel Street… well, that’s news.   Such is the case with the imminent closing of Blockbuster Video’s downtown San Carlos location.  When Blockbuster completes its exodus from San Carlos, one of the few corner parcels on Laurel Street will be up for grabs.

In a town already flush with restaurants and bars,  it would come as no surprise if some dining entrepreneur is licking his chops to set up shop in the shadow of  the very successful Town Restaurant, which is just across the street.

What do YOU think?

What business do you think will take over this location?  What would most benefit downtown San Carlos right now?  Do we already have enough bars and restaurants, or is there room for another?

Got an idea or opinion?  Share it with everyone by leaving a comment!

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Tough economy hits San Carlos businesses, too…

The economy hasn’t been tough only on homeowners in San Carlos. Local businesses are also feeling the pain — so much so that two local and very visible merchants in San Carlos have decided to pull up stake and close their doors. The first of these is Blockbuster Video on Laurel Street. Citing an “ailing economy” as the cause, Blockbuster is closing a significant number of their stores, including the San Carlos location.  One could argue that their business model is as much to blame for their downfall, as they compete in the rental market against the 800-pound gorilla Netflix. The internet must be taking a huge bite out of their business, too – virtually every television show and most movies can be streamed on the internet. Driving to a store to pick up a DVD just isn’t happening anymore.

Blockbuster hasn’t given a specific date when they will officially close their doors, but they are no longer renting videos from this location and they’re aggressively trying to liquidate their remaining inventory.

Another local business will soon be history is the Game Crazy outlet that shares space with Hollywood Video in the Home Depot parking lot. They announced their intent to shut this location down a few months back, and they are within days of closing their doors for good in San Carlos.   I figured my kids spent enough money there to keep that place afloat, but I was wrong. 

It will be interesting to see how this prolonged recession will change the face of San Carlos business.      The unique collection of family-owned businesses is one of the key things that gives downtown San Carlos its charm.   I hope they’re hanging in there.

(Special thanks to blog reader Cisco Villalta for the tip on this article…)

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Breaking News: Is In-N-Out Burger coming to San Carlos?

Sure looks that way.  Take a peek at what’s on the City Council Agenda for this coming Monday’s meeting:

San Carlos City Council Agenda — 10/12/09

According to the email update I received from the City, the city-owned parcel at the corner of Industrial and Holly that’s specified as item “6d” in the agenda is going to be purchased by none other than  In-N-Out Burgers.   This is such a no-brainer!   Not only is it the perfect location for an In-N-Out location — the closest ones are in Mountain View and Millbrae — but it will be a HUGE sales tax revenue generator a City that really needs a shot in the arm (or bank account.)

This is a great coup for the City of San Carlos, but not so great for my cholesterol level. Oh well, I’ll still take a #1 animal style, chocolate shake….

UPDATE:  Here’s an article in this morning’s Daily Journal with more info:  In-N-Out Coming to San Carlos

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Shiki Bistro takes over the Siskin’s Pharmacy Site.

More food for Laurel Street

It was over a year ago that I posed the question on this site:  Who will take over the Siskin’s Pharmacy site?  It’s a great location in the mid-section of Laurel, right across from Bianchini’s and Starbucks.    There were quite a few good suggestions that were offered, but now the suspense is over. The new addition to Laurel Street is…. … Continue Reading

Did the San Carlos Home Depot finally get the message?

I hate shopping at the San Carlos Home Depot.

There — I said it. (I feel better already.)

And from what I gather from talking to others, I’m sure I echo their sentiment as well.  Don’t get me wrong — I am a huge fan of having a “big-box” home improvement store in San Carlos.  One of the things that gives San Carlos so much charm is that its residents generally take meticulous care of their yards,   so landing a Home Depot in San Carlos is a real coup for this town.  So why do I dread going to this particular store?

Customer (Dis)Service…

Having lived in San Carlos for nearly 20 years, we’ve spent quite a few weekends (and paychecks) at the local Home Depot.    But going to this store has never been a pleasant shopping experience.  The one exception? The paint department does a phenomenal job with the Glidden Team Colors line.  Granted, I admit that I’m an impatient shopper (make a list, get in, get out = happy shopper.)   But as sure as the sun will rise, one of the following will likely happen when you shop at this store:

1. They won’t have what you’re looking for.
2. If you need help finding something, good luck getting help.  Finding someone in an orange bib is as likely as finding a 6.5″ roof vent cap (I struck out on both counts last time.)
3. If you do find what you came for, you’ll be in line for a long time to pay for it .. and don’t get me started on items without price tags.

What perplexes me is that I haven’t had this experience at other HD’s.  At the Home Depot in Roseville, they actually have a greeter at the door who will point out which aisle your item located, and the store is well staffed with helpful people — this might have something to do with the fact that there’s a Loews just a few blocks away.  But even the locations in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara are generally better stocked and staffed.

Has something changed?

Yes.  Despite how it may appear, the purpose of this post isn’t to bash Home Depot.  On the contrary, I’m congratulating them….because it’s very evident that they are making big changes.   The past two times that I (reluctantly) went into the store, it was VERY apparent that the store has increased their staffing significantly.  I saw more orange bibs in one visit than I have saw in an entire year of shopping, and there were more registers open.

But what’s more important is the mindset of the store.  If I had to guess, I’d say there has been a whole bunch of customer service coaching going on behind closed doors, because employees now really seem to go out of there way to help you find what you’re looking for.   (Before, you almost felt like a panhandler when you approached someone in the store.)    I am absolutely thrilled to see this change.

They still need to get their arms around their inventory problems, but after years of getting bashed on sites like Yelp, Home Depot is finally making some welcome and necessary changes, and for that I applaud them.

They clearly got the message.

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