From:
To: City Council
Subject: NO CHAIN STORES
Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 8:08:29 AM
Sebastopol City Council:
Letting chain stores into downtown would completely destroy the downtown area, finishing what your misguided decision to allow “The Barlow” started. Namely the final destruction of downtown.
Trying to preserve what’s left of the small town ambiance should be your first concern.
Encouraging small businesses to open, giving them tax breaks and other incentives to help them through the first few years is what you should be dreaming up, not giving in to corporate pressure and dollars. Creative thinking is what is needed. Look at Healdsburg and Calistoga.
Hoping for the best, but sadly expecting the worst
Patricia O’Rourke