Two dozen people crowded into the OB Green Center on Voltaire last night, August 15th, to discuss organizing a group opposed to Target Express coming into Ocean Beach.
Their discussion began with the reasons they’re opposed to the mega-corporation opening up on Newport Avenue, familiar themes expressed by OB residents and businesses ever since the community heard the owners of the Antique Mall were leasing their huge building to Target.
Target represented a threat to OB’s character, many mentioned. Also it is a threat to many of the local businesses on the main commercial street, such as OB Hardware, clothing shops and crafts stores. One woman declared, “We already have what we need” in the storefronts on Newport and close by.
Another raised the issue a Target would actually hurt tourism in Ocean Beach – and in a wider sense – tourism in San Diego, with the idea being that tourists come to OB for its unique non-corporate character.
Several cited the OB Community Plan and how it emphasizes and calls for ‘small-scale businesses’, and how a Target would stand in direct opposition to the Plan. Another man stated that Target selling alcohol was a big issue for many people. One resident stated that a Target on Newport would dissuade other small businesses selling similar products from opening up.
The discussion turned to boycott and protest ideas. A woman stated she wants to “get Target to not want to open in OB.” Another said that if Target comes into OB, she would not patronize any of their stores – including the one less than 2 miles away on Sports Arena Boulevard.
Other ideas flowed; a possible picket in front of the larger Target, a possible twitter and social media coordination, a facebook page, a signature campaign, a letter-writing campaign
…. People volunteered to take on most of these projects. There was talk of attending the OB Town Council meeting about Target on Wednesday, August 23rd.
And there was a general consensus to print up “No Target” signs – one man offered to pay for a 100 signs – to be used in business storefronts and as yard signs.
Other ideas were raised to offer as alternatives to a Target – and there was some discussion about a community investment trust.
Finally, the idea for a first protest gelled – and one is being organized for Wednesday, August 30th, down on the green grass at the foot of Newport to begin at 5:30pm. There will be a sign-making party prior to the protest, and fliers for it will be printed up.
More to come, stayed tuned.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks to all who attended; I couldn’t make it but am extremely glad you all did and are doing what you’re doing. I’ll be there.
Good summation Frank! I was impressed by the great thinking and ideas generated by the meeting participants. It’s especially awesome that several young OB residents were at this meeting. Gonna’ be hard for naysayers to dismiss this effort as just a bunch of old hippies trying to hang onto the past. :-)
Does any know if the merchants who could be adversely impacted by Target’s presence are or will be involved in the protest(s)?
It seems merchants need to be involved and vocal on this issue….are they for or against?
Excellent question. A few are against Target, certainly, but not many business owners have taken any kind of public stand one way or another nor perhaps is there any forum or platform to make a stand.
Knowing where they all stand is important. If people are going to fight for local business then those local businesses need to fight also.
When Starbucks rumors came to town, very few coffee shops spoke up. I thought that was strange and not very cool.
Yeah, Target does threaten the characcter of OB. Most assuredly. There’s a rumor out there that the building has already been sold. I hope the OB Rag can track this down. IT would be explosive news.
OB Joe – we are attempting to track this “rumor” down and confirm it or not ….stay tuned.
If it’s true the Antique mall has already been sold then why the heck are we talking to Craig Gerwig? This would be weird.
what? the antique building aleady purchased? wtf? yuh, i hope you guys get to tghe bottom of this.
I’ll be there guys. Grassy area at bottom of Newport Ave, Wed Aug 30.
What is the OB Rags vision of what Ob should be in the future. It will never be 1985 again so what is their prgressive view. All the local stores that would be impacted by Target are gone except OB Hardware. So negociate a non compet in that area. The number of bars and resturaunts converted to bars on Newport is out of control. That is were your protests and boycots should have started years ago. Coronet’s was in that building for years and served the community well . Why can’t Target be the new Coronets. There are 2 people that all of Newport, Ben Moshe and John Small take your protests and boycotts directly to the banks collecting rent not the tenants. I appresiate all your effort for the residences of OB after 35 years in OB I’m happy to away from the storm in Bay Park
Shirts are available for $10 at the James Gang! Keep OB,OB! Support local independent OB businesses!
cool, while we’re at it let’s close the movie theater and put in a cheap souvenir shop… because tourists. we absolutely don’t have everything we need on newport, not even close.
after the protest can we meet up and celebrate at one of our 19 tasting rooms?