Fixing the Many Problems at Allied Arts – All Talk and No Action

Maybe our current Mayor would/could help, I heard that she is good at reviving dead businesses. I remember reading her press release which claimed that she had saved the Kepler's (the new investors and the landlord were conveniently left out of getting credit in the press release.) Also I remember seeing her rubbing shoulders with Auxiliary high society ladies while she was a planning commissioner and the Guild had their project before Planning. But now she has moved on to bigger and better things and politician always thinking who can help get him/her re-elected, the neighbors or Auxiliary members. Good Luck.

Turning Allied Arts into a microscopic convention center clearly is not the way to go. Maybe the old model wasn't raking in buckets of cash, but in hindsight, it doesn't seem too bad, does it?

Bring back the volunteer restaurant, reach out to the community and surrounding areas to introduce Allied Arts to new residents, and once that takes hold, use the added foot traffic to lure interesting artisans and shops back to the guild.

Sponsor special lunch deals for community/seniors groups and bring them in by shuttle bus. And bring back the Christmas afternoon tea. Those were really lovely.

I am so sorry but I don't think the original poster could be more misinformed. The Palo Alto Restaurant left because the Palo Alto Auxiliary was struggling to get enough volunteers to staff the restaurant and keep it open. Finding enough dedicated volunteers to consistently maintain a 6 day a week business is extremely difficult. If the Restaurant had been making money it would not have closed.

Last year the WAA (the volunteer organization which runs the Allied Arts Guild) made more than $120,000 for the Children's Hospital at their annual Tally Ho. That was just one event. Help out - attend the Tally Ho and bid on Auction items.

Better yet go stroll around the beautiful gardens and shop at the wonderful stores such as La Bottega, The Artisan Shop, Flair, Portola Art Gallery, Special Handling Pottery, Renaissance Spirit & Susan's Soaps. And come to the Christmas tea, like we did last year - it still happens - it was so popular it sold out.

The money that has been squandered has been wasted in fighting lawsuits from a small but active group that does not want the Allied Arts to succeed as a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital. The permit is so restrictive that it is quite challenging to get things going.

Jesse Cool who has been so supportive and was so close to opening her restaurant (which would have been a huge success)could not because she could not cater from there - due to the very limiting permit, and therefore could not make a it viable business. Other options are being considered, with everyone's needs in mind.

The Woodside Atherton Auxiliary is intensely committed to helping the children at Lucile Packard's Children's Hospital and to preserving a cherished and unique historical landmark for all of us. It is not just high society ladies there - there are all sorts. Their one common thread is wanting to make a positive difference on a local level. If you want to make a difference why not volunteer?

Let’s get our facts straight, MenloMomx2. The Palo Alto Auxiliary that ran the restaurant for more than 75 years did not “leave” the Allied Arts Guild. Their lease was not renewed by the Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary which owns the property. In other words, Woodside-Atherton EVICTED the Palo Alto Auxiliary. Please stop trying to imply otherwise.

Despite dwindling foot traffic in The Allied Arts complex, Palo Alto operated the restaurant until they were forced by Woodside-Atherton to close. The restaurant was fully staffed and new members had been recruited and were being trained when the lease was suddenly terminated, with absolutely minimum notice. The Palo Alto Auxiliary was fully capable of operating the restaurant, and were more than willing to do so. They were surprised and shocked when Woodside-Atherton end unilaterally terminated the lease. They were especially amazed and disappointed that the Children’s Hospital Auxiliary Liaison Vice President allowed this to happen with no warning whatsoever to Palo Alto.

The Palo Alto group will now conduct other activities to support the Hospital, and it is highly unlikely that another restaurant will be able to survive at Allied Arts under the usage limitations imposed by the city. Because of the Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary’s (now Allied Arts Auxiliary) actions, the Hospital has lost a significant donation source, the neighborhood has lost a popular restaurant and a good neighbor, the tenants of the complex have lost a major attraction for visitors, and Menlo Park will probably eventually lose this property to apartments or worse. How sad. How utterly and completely avoidable.

Get your facts straight MenloMomx2.