Mmmmm….coffee…

Whatever happened to buying a coffee maker, a bag of coffee and making your own coffee? Why is there a “sudden” need to go out and buy coffee?

Sonoma Starbucks faces opposition

Petition to keep java giant out of town gathers 1,000 signatures but effort may have no legal basis

December 8, 2003

By LORI A. CARTER THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A plan for a Starbucks in Sonoma has sparked anti-corporate protest from residents who say the global coffee giant will force local shop owners out of business.

Phil Baxter, who is organizing the opposition, said he has gathered more than 1,000 signatures of people opposed to a Starbucks proposed for the Maxwell Village shopping center on Highway 12 at the city’s northwestern edge.

But city officials say many of those signers aren’t Sonoma residents and may have been misled by petition language. And they say there probably isn’t any legal means to prohibit Starbucks anyway.

Plus, some residents and city officials note, the proposed site is hardly free of corporate chains already, with Albertson’s, Rite Aid, Blockbuster, Citibank, Payless shoes and Tower Records stores.

“That’s true,” Baxter acknowledged. “So let’s put it up on every corner? I think that’s wrong.”

Baxter, 66, is a friend of a retired coffee purveyor who recently closed Caffe Maxie in the shopping center eyed by Starbucks. The Seattle-based java giant is targeting the location for its first store in Sonoma, which is currently served by more than a dozen coffee shops and drive-up carts.

“I just don’t want that corporate structure in the town of Sonoma,” said Baxter, explaining his opposition to Starbucks.

City planning commissioners will hear Starbucks’ request for a conditional use permit at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in City Council chambers.

Starbucks, a $3 billion company with more than 7,200 stores worldwide, has become a lightning rod for protesters fighting neighborhood gentrification, corporate globalization, homogenous chain stores and the downfall of independent businesses.

In August, vandals struck 17 Starbucks locations in San Francisco, putting up fake “For Lease” signs and smearing white paste on the windows. In Houston last month, vandals glued the doors shut at 16 stores.

Baxter believes it’s significant that he was able to gather so many signatures within a few weeks, but also realizes the city may not have the political will, or legal ability, to deny Starbucks a site.

No city codes prohibit corporate-owned businesses or chain stores, said Emi Theriault, a Sonoma planner.

At Thursday’s meeting, the city’s Planning Commission will look at parking and land-use issues in addition to whether Starbucks is compatible with the community.

Maxwell Village is suitable for Starbucks, company spokeswoman Kristine Hung said.

“From our perspective, this location is appropriate. We appreciate and respect the distinctive traits of Sonoma and we want to uphold the character there,” she said. “We think it would be a welcome addition.”

Several Sonoma residents agree.

“We could use one,” said Gigi Pehargou, buying a Christmas poinsettia recently at Rite Aid. “I have to drive out of my way in the morning to get a cup of coffee.”

Paul Abbott, owner of Scoops Etc. ice cream shop in Maxwell Village, sells a fresh-brewed cup of coffee for $1.35 and the bottled Frappucino drinks Starbucks created. Still, he’s not opposed to his potential competitor.

“Anybody who brings foot traffic in here will help me make a living,” he said.

Councilman Doug McKesson said while he’s no fan of corporate entities like Wal-Mart and Starbucks, he believes in free enterprise and the power of consumers.

“If there are that many people in town who don’t want it and they don’t go there, all the other coffee shops in town should do pretty well,” he said. “It’s democracy at work. If it’s truly the will of the people, Starbucks will fail.”

You can reach Staff Writer Lori A. Carter at 521-5205 or pressdemocrat.com">lcarter@pressdemocrat.com.

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