From: Tanya Scott
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2026 8:56 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: A & M BBQ - Don't shut them down!
Dear Sebastopol City Council,
I am a lifelong Sebastopol resident writing to express my concern regarding the treatment of A&M BBQ.
I previously lived half a block away from the restaurant and now live just a few blocks away.
I’m vegan, yet I was genuinely excited when A&M opened because I was thrilled to see a highly visible Black-owned business in Sebastopol. This is the kind of diversity and vibrancy many of us want to see in our town.
While I understand residents may have concerns about smoke or pollution, it is diƯicult to believe this small operation contributes more impact than many other local businesses. It is disappointing to see exaggerated claims from a small but vocal group of neighbors placing pressure on one of the very few Black-owned businesses in town. Describing a small barbecue restaurant with two smokers as an “industrial-scale export meat operation” is simply unreasonable.
A&M brings tremendous value to Sebastopol. They create unique products, have earned widespread praise for their food, and were recently named by Forbes as one of the Top 10 Sonoma County restaurants to visit in 2026. They attract visitors from across the North Bay to a part of town that has historically seen little activity, and the owners and staƯ have consistently been kind and neighborly.
At the very least, with so many vacancy's in town, namely near Lucky grocery store, it seems the City could expedite A & M moving to a more desirable spot, with more parking.
I urge the Council not to let a vocal minority outweigh the interests of the broader community. Sebastopol should support diverse, locally owned businesses and welcome the new energy and culture they bring to downtown.
Please approach this matter with fairness, consistency, and common sense.
Sincerely,
Tanya Scott