What does it mean to you to have Roberts market in Portola Valley?

As a member of the Mayor's Task Force on Climate Control, one of the recommendations of the our adhoc committee which is Building, Energy Efficiency and Transportation is to bring more services to Portola Valley. With Roberts market people will not have to drive far to shop, children can walk to meet parents at the corner after school thus reducing the exaust choke of afternoon SUVs idling in line at CMS. People can walk or bike to the store. Roberts also has prepared meals so even driving to a restaraunt is covered to some degree. We can really put a dent in the carbon footprint of Portola Valley by bringing this service to the residents.

Eager for Roberts to come, as price competition might obviate xs prices currently in place.

A specialty market with the quality of selections that Roberts offers is sorely needed in Portola Valley, and the location at the corner of Alpine and Portola Roads is ideal. Robert's will arrive with its good reputation already established. Residents will embrace this market for groceries as well as an alternative for sandwiches and other freshly prepared foods. Robert's will be good for the quality of life in the town because it will reduce the need for driving greater distances for food and the market's wine selection will be welcomed by Town residents.

A good market centrally located is always a boon to a community as residents see each other in the aisles and at the checkout. It will become an informal gathering place. I would encourage outdoor tables and umbrellas to be a part of the plan with the location looking toward trees rather than the parking lot.

This is a fantastic turn of events for our community. I applaud Roberts for accepting the initiative to bring this much needed convenience and quality service to our town. This fortifies the notion that, along with the coming Town Center, Portola Valley needs areas of activity to encourage a community spirit and interaction. This is a positive step in the right direction for all of us!

Without a market or post office or pharmacy, Portola Valley residents, with the exception of our hardware store, must drive distances to satisfy their needs. It is our estimation that Roberts has no equal within a very wide radius. George Roberts has always offered top quality in all that he stocks in his Woodside store, as well as a most attractive ambiance, and a well trained, cheerful staff. What a wonderful and most welcome addition Roberts will be.

Pinch us....are we dreaming? This is a significant event for the entire town of Portola Valley. We also recommend regularly scheduled wine tastings and cooking events that might bring residents closer together. As residents of Brookside Park, we look forward to rolling down the hill on our bikes instead of cranking out more fossil fuel into the atmosphere. It can not come soon enough!

Having a store at the corner of Portola and Alpine Roads means I can walk for groceries and evening snacks. I guess my husband might stock up on the scones! It will save a 5-mile round trip to Bianchini's.

I actually like the candles and other things in Roberts.

I'd also like somewhere where I can run in and by a decent box of chocolates or large box of French nougat when I'm going out to dinner to take as a gift - or better still at Easter a big Italian or English hollow chocolate Easter Egg with chocolates (not stuffed with peanut butter:)).

I also like to get fresh fish - when John's was remodeled in the mid-80s I remember how good the tuna was then. They also had fresh avocado and shrimp sandwiches.

What I'd really like is a good selection of baked tofus, non-fat non-pectin non-tapioca natural yogurt, fresh greens like chard and kale and above all real cuts of meat like liver, kidneys and beef heart! All the things I have to drive a distance to find.

Also don't forget to add old-fashioned sweet jars for school kids - e.g. imported licorice (Dutch, Australian, UK Pontefract cakes and more) and licorice roots!

What's going on with the remodeling? The shingles have been off the roof for several months and there doesn't seem to be any work going on in the building. The proposed September opening of Roberts is not going to happen. Anyone know why?

The plans for Roberts Market are currently in a stage called "plan check," in which the i's are dotted and the t's crossed. Once this is complete, the Architectural & Site Control Commission can authorize a building permit from the town and Phase 1 can move forward, Portola Valley Planning Manager Leslie Lambert said.

Phase 1 will consist of interior work, including installing new floors and bathrooms, electrical work, and generally establishing the store's interior personality. A new 2,000-square-foot mezzanine wil hold offices and an employee lounge, Ms. Lambert said. The roof and HVAC equipment is also part of Phase 1.

In Phase 2, amendments to the store's conditional use permit will come before the town's Planning Commission and the ASCC, and there will be a public hearing. Phase 2 will include employee parking, exterior lighting, trash compaction and collection, when deliveries are made and landscaping, Ms. Lambert said.

Earlier this year, Roberts Market owner George Roberts told the Almanac that while he would shoot for an opening in late November, December or even January 2008 was more likely.

Oh, for Pete’s sake! Having just read The Almanac article (9/26/07) about the delayed opening of Robert’s Market in Portola Valley due to “bureaucratic processes,” “amendments to the conditional use permits,” “employee (loitering) hours,” etc., one can only wonder why it is so difficult to replace one grocery store with another. Perhaps the question that should be asked of those thwarting the process is how much fossil fuel is being wasted by PV residents who must drive how many miles to go to another grocery store? Let’s get on with it!