From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 3:08 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: A Vote for Grocery Outlet
Dear City Council Members and Staff,
Thank you for this opportunity to share my point of view with you.
Since one of the main arguments against the proposed Grocery Outlet in Sebastopol is that it's not a strictly "local" business, I'll start with this:
Is Safeway local?
Is Whole foods local?
Is Lucky's local?
Is CVS local?
Is 7/11 local?
Is Rotten Robbie's local?
Is Chevron local?
Was Rite Aid local?
Grocery Outlet is at least is locally owned by a member of the community. We see and interact with the owners of the SR and Petaluma stores almost every time we shop there. At least some of the money we spend there stays in the community. I really like Grocery Outlet's business model. It empowers local families and community members to own and manage their own business that benefits their community.
I'm pretty sure EVERYONE that lives in Sebastopol shops out of town regularly. We all go to Trader Joe's, Costco, Oliver's and Grocery Outlet. I know all of my friends and neighbors do.
I do and I bet you do too.
I am pretty dedicated to shopping at Community Market, but I do go out of town to shop occasionally. This means that as a community we are supporting all of our local grocery stores and quite a few out of towners as well. This seems to go against the argument that Sebastopol can't support another Grocery Store. G.O. also carries school supplies, housewares, garden supplies, wellness and body products and more at great prices. Low income seniors and others could benefit from not having to drive out of town to be able to afford what they need.
For current and potential store "owners" ...."The Grocery Outlet's mission statement is "Changing lives for the better" and we empower you to change lives by using your store to support local organizations and causes that you are passionate about." I enjoy shopping at G.O. and I'm educated, progressive and have been a local since 1967. I find products and prices that are unique to Grocery Outlet and that attracts me.
Let the people of Sebastopol decide if they want to support a local G.O. by allowing the store to open at the former Rite Aid site. The prices alone will make G.O. very attractive for many.
Is Sebastopol too special for that?
An interesting take on G.O.'s unique mission can be found on www.progressivegrocers.com/grocery outlets path
Thank you for listening and please feel free to share your feedback and concerns with me.
Karin Lease
6860 Evergreen Ave
Sebastopol