Part of the idea with the apartments and condos in that area of downtown is that you don't need a second car (or even a car at all). It's close to public transit for those who work out of town, or walking distance to a lot of downtown businesses. Obviously, not for everyone, but a nice trade off of expenses for some. Also, by creating lots of housing downtown, there's not so much pressure to build on the fringes of town. It's different than what many of us grew up with, but many of the next generation of Petalumans may actually prefer it. If gas goes back to $4+/gallon, I may be one of them in my empty nest years.

and petaluma want more retail space built. so downtown will be a ghost town.

Okay, this is getting downright heartbreaking...

I knew Bassett Laurel was closing its door at the end of the month. Now, it appears that Chicks and Cowboys on Kentucky will also be closing.

So much for children's stores in Petaluma....

I agree with KimberChristian- why so down on Theater Square? La Dolce Vita, Tres Hombres, Graffitti and Sugo all have great food and atmosphere. Powell's rocks. And the clothing and shoe stores add a little style. I'm glad these places are survivng this economy and I'm happy to spend my money downtown instead of some boring mall or chain restaurant.

Not down on it, I like the square, I just wish it was more than half full. I realize this project was planned and developed (and funded, luckily) probably 5 years ago, when the economy was good, but... wow it's depressing now to walk by so my empty stores, and to see a store finally move into an empty space but not last 6 freakin months.

There is a Subway and a tanning salon/spa (Planet Beach) coming soon. I think it's hard to find new retail tenants anywhere in town. People are hesitant to open new businesses or move/expand during a recession.

quote:

Originally posted by Boopitydoobiedo:
Thank you George Bush!

George Bush didn't raise their rent from $3000 to $9000 nearly over night. In fact I challenge you to tie back any economic failure on Bush fiscal policy, but i realize that might be to much for your small brain. If you new anything about the economy you fill find that the President is pretty much powerless in changing anything about the economy except to expand goverment and give jobs and tax legislation.

I bet you stay up at night wondering who you are going to blame for downtown closures next after Obama takes over office.

quote:

Originally posted by Independent Scot:

quote:

Originally posted by Boopitydoobiedo:
Thank you George Bush!

George Bush didn't raise their rent from $3000 to $9000 nearly over night. In fact I challenge you to tie back any economic failure on Bush fiscal policy, but i realize that might be to much for your small brain. If you new anything about the economy you fill find that the President is pretty much powerless in changing anything about the economy except to expand goverment and give jobs and tax legislation.

I bet you stay up at night wondering who you are going to blame for downtown closures next after Obama takes over office.

and maybe if we weren't involved in George W. Bush's illegal war in Iraq, instead of finishing up the job in Afghanistan, we wouldn't be spending billions of dollars propping up a puppet government there when those same dollars could be helping Americans in need.

I think Petaluma sold its soul. I prefer a creepy old rustic grain barn store to an empty soulless storefront with empty overpriced condos.
All the stores and restaurants in theater district are overpriced novelty stores. You go to Powells more for amusement than the expensive candy.It's a drag to park in a small parking garage too.
My favorite places in Petaluma are the old hole in the wall places with history and good food: Old Chicago, 3 cooks cafe, Volpis, McNears, and Copperfields. My only likeable new store is Trader Joes at the Plaza.

Pikko,

It is a good thing people didn't think like you when Old Chicago, Volpis & Copperfields came to town or they would not be here today.

Everyone has their preferences, and people who don't experience all of Petaluma - should. It would be a drag if more people felt like you and all these businesses failed.

Thankfully I am not one of them, and their appears to be a number who people who do enjoy Theatre District and Powell's.

Happy New Year.

j solar fine jewelry moved to 119 a kentucky st.( as of nov. 1st) we have more foot traffic and lots of local petalumans have found us. we have the same beautiful jewelry and lots more sterling silver and new locally made lines as well. our customers know we are not a discount jewelry store. we keep our prices fair without big mark ups to advertise misleading sales. kentucky street os a great location. we are between zazzle and paperwhite.

I like both the old stores and the new ones in Theater Square (La Dolce Vita is great and Tres Hombres has good food and is starting to have good music from local bands (for example, Plum Crazy has played there 2 times (including New Years Eve) and we loved it.

The design of the condos in the Theater District is terrible, though. Nice units, but the logistics of parking in the parking garage across the street, walking down the stairs (or taking the elevator), walking across the street, through a door, up more stairs, and down a lengthy hall (especially if you're unit is on the Petaluma Blvd. side) is ridiculous and kept me from renting or buying there. I don't fault the developers, it was probably the city and it's excessive and illogical regulations that made the developers design it like this.

Interesting comments from Pikko. My favorite stores in the theater district happen to be Powell's and Haus Fortuna.

I experience all I can in Petaluma but in the end I find myself going back to the tried and true staples in town. It's like buying fancy new shoes yet finding that your old running shoes are can never be replaced for comfort no matter how old and grungy they are.

Remember, the "tried and true" stores were once new and locals gave them a shot and they survived. If you give the few stores in Theatre Square a shot and keep supporting them, additional retailers will be interested in moving in and tapping into that customer base. Locals need to support downtown merchants and then merchants will be able to support the locals by staying open and offering the goods and services we want. The circle goes round and round...