Competition is the American Way. Beltramo's....get with the program.
Both will do fine. BevMo and Beltramo's serve a different demographic and market niche.

The Planning Commission did its job, now its time for the City Council to do the same. Deny the appeal and allow a new (tax producing) business to operate in MP AND a new tenant to rent space in the mall.

Who RU people.
Are you advocating to have Safeway, Draegers, 7-11 and the other stores in Menlo be barred from competing with Beltramo's for alcohol sales. What "new" business will fill the space that would meet your criteria? If it was so easy to do business in Menlo someone would have moved into the old Chili's space a long time ago. I don't see a lot of activity for the Ford, Lincoln Mercury, Buick spaces on El Camino. There are a number of empty spaces in downtown Menlo and a lot of empty offices in Bohannon Park. Plenty of room and no one wants it.
Bev Mo will create tax revenue; its a good thing for Menlo.

I've posted a few times in support of BevMo and that hasn't changed.

Except that my position prior was to continue as a loyal customer to Beltramo's. That may be changing. Enough crybaby, Beltramos. I think I'll shop at the store that offers the best value, customer service, and selection.

I guess the question if we are asking about tax revenue is: Does $18K of tax revenue cover the amount of policing that will need to be done as we bring a different and most likely unwanted demographic into town? Let's be real, if the land has been this unoccupied for this long is it really worth allowing another "BIG BOX" store into town? Safeway isn't big enough?

what would this "unwanted demographic" be exactly. People willing to spend their money in Menlo Park and thus contributing taxes to our city. Boy, nothing but negatives with that picture.

Yes, What's $18K? got it. Raise property taxes and keep out those unwanted demographics. Even set up sobriety check points on El Camino Real after each Stanford Game to increase tax revenue.

That demographic...it's me, married, 50+, we like entertain.

Seriously, was $18k Woodside thinking something else...wanting to protect our pristine community? But we already live in a diverse neighborhood (we all use different housekeepers!). Clearly, $18k Woodside would want to ambitiously protect ourselves from any more diversity.

to Competion is Good--my friend, you completely misinterprted my comment. I absolutely support BEVMO and their application. The issue before the city council is whether or not to uphold or deny an appeal by a resident of the Planning Commission decision that approved BEVMO's use application. I said, "DENY THE APPEAL". Meaning, support the Planning Commission in its previous approval of BEVMO's application. Not only has this issue, which was totally orchastrated by Beltramos, represented a travesty in terms of using the "system, if you read the staff report prepared for tonights council meeting, you'll see it had to have cost the tax payers of Menlo Park a lot of money in staff hours put into formulating that report. A report, by the way, that recommends that council deny the appeal and grant BEVMO their permit--great job City staff, good for you!!!

I have what I think is a great idea!! There is an article on the Almanac's web page about 10 local resteraunts offering discounts tonight with the proceeds going to MEALS ON WHEELS. How about this--everyone, go to the City Council meeting (starts at 7:00 and this item is #1 on the agenda) and overwhelm them with support for BEVMO, and then go have a nice dinner at one of these great establishments and support a very worth cause. Two ways to feel good about yourself tomorrow!

Well it is a done deal now.

On a 3:2 vote, council denied the appeal and upheld the planning commission approval to allow BevMo to start business in Menlo Park at 700 El Camino, at the location where Chili's restaurant vacated.

Cline, Boyle and Cohen voted yes. Fergusson and her sidekick, soon to be gone, Robinson voted no.

The grand Beltramo, Draegers blockade has finally been broken. Thank heavens.

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