I just noticed that the bike shop in Theatre Square has closed and I saw a FOR LEASE sign in Trillium's window. It seems like we are losing so many local stores. I hope lots of people will do their holiday shopping in downtown Petaluma so that we don't see MORE closures.

Thank you George Bush!

That bike store has been closed for over a year. I heard that they had their rent jacked waaay up and it was a matter of either paying their suppliers/creditors or the rent. They obviously decided to cut their losses and bailed out.

The bike store is not the only example of a business moving in that development and having their rent increased drastically after a short time. No wonder that the project owner/developer has the initials B*S*.

P.S. tune into the city council meeting next Monday (Dec. 8) for the latest chapter of this saga.

I hear that Trillium is just moving, not going out of business.

any idea where Trillium is moving??

You are partially right about the Bike Store. Basin does not just "jack up" rates. However, when you sign a lease there is a rise in rates. You know what they are in advance, I know that in Mar 2010 my rate is going up.

The Bike shop was doing well from what I know, very well in fact. Part of the problem came from a discrepancy in space, the other was the Real Estate bubble.

I can't really say much more on that except the R.E. market hurt them as well. So it was a compilation of things that was to the demise of the Bike Shop. Not just having the rent jacked up.

At least 4-5 stores have come and gone already at the very young "theater square".

Quiznos

The coffee store next to that, then it was a tea store? Now it's closed again.

That's amore? something, clothing botique on the far corner.

Most recently the jewlery store, They lasted about 6 months? Now replaced by a candle and incense place?? My guess is they will be gone after the holidays.

Chin up though, you could be staring at two whole blocks worth of empty store fronts on 1st Street!

Seriously not even 1 store has moved in there since they were built, what 2 years ago now?

I understand these are difficult times but how do you even build 2 whole blocks of stores without having even 1 business lined up to move in when they are done?

Very poor.

The jewelry store, J. Solar, has moved to Kentucky Street in Seasons' former location.

In Theatre District there was no coffee shop, it was a Tea place from the beginning.

The Incense is a holiday only lease, so you are right it will be gone after the holidays.

Theatre Square officially was finished Nov 07, so it has been one year. In this current economic environment there are not a lot of businesses being started - anywhere!

That being said, Planet Beach is opening where Quiznos used to be and HiTech Burrito is also coming to Theatre District. There may be one more business coming to where Oteao used to be, but I can't comment on that.

There is also another business that is coming to the Square next year.

So stay tuned, there are some new businesses coming soon.

Did the bike shop move? I know there is another bike shop located on the Blvd. before the Yamaha store. Maybe too much competition?

I'm glad to hear that Trillium is only moving. That is my favorite place to get flowers and flower arrangements. I am also happy to hear that there will be new businesses going into Theatre Square. That could be a nice addition to Petaluma but I feel Basin Street may be unrealistic about rent in the current climate. I also hope that we can fill in some spaces downtown. It's so sad to see all these empty storefronts. LET'S ALL MAKE IT A POINT TO SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR!!!

What happened to Great Wraps? I thought that it was a unique place and the food was good. Now another Mexican food place is going in there?

I am not sure what happened to Great Wraps but High Tech Burrito is going in their old location.

A lot of businesses are closing their doors in Petaluma, we are in a recession after all. I'm curious, why is there such negativity against Basin Street? I think the Theatre District is awesome! Doesn't anyone remember the ugliness that was there for so many years prior? Sure businesses may come & go down there but there is a lot to offer...Shoes, clothing, candy, great restaurants like Sugo, Graffiti, Tres Hombres, Jennie Low's and the wine bar. And let's not forget the only movie theater in town! Of course we all need to support these businesses otherwise they won't make it. Look at Caffe Bella, they just closed down and Basin Street had nothing to do with it!

The apartments and retail on 1st were finished a good 9-10 months before the Square opened. Most of that has been finished for almost 2 years now or going on 2 years. Not 1 store has even hinted at opening there.

What was there before? Empty crumbling rusted out warehouses, sure. But are brand spankin new EXPENSIVE empty storefronts better?

My point was I just don't understand how you plan a new development like that without having AT LEAST ONE OR TWO stores signed up to move in when they are done.

And then the apartments are at best 2/3rds full, and it's taken all this time to get there. Of course they didn't help themselves with the price of rent. I heard $1500 for a studio (probably 450 sq.ft) and $1750 for a 1BR (800 sq.ft?) HAHAH. WHAT?

I mean I was renting a 2 bedroom cottage, my own private building, with private back yard, private parking, etc etc.. on 7th St downtown for $1100 (I own a small town home now).

$1500 for a 2nd floor studio apartment... now pull the other one.