New development, and empty storefronts being filled

[FNG]

Hobbytown has some cool stuff.

Never ceases to amaze me when I go in and there is some group meeting or gaming in the back. I don't build model ships but sat through one of their sessions listening to how a man spent a couple of hundred hours to hand carve the wood, laid the keel and built ribs. He was asking the group for advice on attaching another piece to the stern. The best part he stated matter of factly, well if that doesn't work I guess I have good kindling.

You won't get that at Toys R Us.

BTW: I support Target & Freidmans coming to town.

[JEH]

How many years will the old Safeway stay empty????? Will it be sub-divided? I think those businesses to the left have a lot less foot traffic now.

One thing Petaluma is lacking is a good spot for kid's birthday parties. I'm NOT recommending a Chuck E Cheese, but maybe something like a Pump It Up or TubeTown would do well here. Or like Super Frank's in Pleasanton. (look that up on Yelp)

[HobbyTown USA]

Hi JEH,

Once more, I respectfully ask that people check out HobbyTown USA.

We offer birthday parties like slot car racing, model building, Lego building, stuffed animal creation, radio control racing, and more. We host most parties in the store and I am working with the community center to offer even more options there.

If you are looking for a creative and constructive type of party, HobbyTown can help you out.

Here is a link to a partial list of our parties:
http://www.htupetaluma.com/index.php?op ... &Itemid=28

Steven Elliott
HobbyTown USA
email: htupetalumaca@comcast.net
web: www.htupetaluma.com

[JEH]

Thanks Steve! I didn't realize all that you offer! Sounds good. I know the popularity of Pump It Up (Cotati) and Super Franks (Pleasanton) for kids.

My basic post was about the possibilities of filling some of the MANY empty Petaluma storefronts, and wondering how long they will be empty.....

1. Safeway
2. The Wherehouse
3.Hollywood Video
4. Blockbuster
5. Used Paperbacks (next to the Travel Agency in Wa. Square)
6. Avenue Store (next to Ross)
7. China Dragon
8. Afendi's Restaurant
9. Skewers
10.Dream Dinners (near CVS)
11.Garden Buffet
12.Dominos
13. Quality Printing (next to Big 5)
14.And many more locations on both sides of town.

Here they sit
All forlorn
Empty, waiting
to be re-born

[DLoozional]

The monthly costs to lease one of these places is so incredibly insane. I can't imagine opening a business and making much more than you could just working for someone else. I know a lot of business owners in town and I know what their leases are. I don't get how they are making any money.

[fallingdown]

Hobbytown is great!

[TJMack]

Yes, it's really too bad the rents are so high. I'm sure there are many small businesses who would love to open in some of these empty spots.

I guess the owners of these properties and shopping center spaces enjoy taking the write-offs. It's a shame because if these spaces were filled it would help pump up Petaluma's economy.

Here's what my young cousin wants to see in Safeway......
An ice skating rink!

[mikeg55]

Wherehouse/FYE space is going to be a Mancini Sleepworld. big sign out front.

[TJMack]

ANOTHER mattress store????? You've got to be kidding. How many new mattresses does our bedroom community need? We already have three -- Sleep Train, Sleep City and Mattress Discounters at the Petaluma Outlet Mall.

Mattress overkill

[PennyMoney]

Anyone know what is going into the space between GNC (General Nutrition Center) and Weight Watcher's at the Plaza North???

I think a Dunkin' Donuts would even up the score