Most in Audience at Packed Planning Board Meeting Oppose Target Coming to Ocean Beach

Audience shows opposition to Target by standing and applauding. Photo by Corey Bruins

By Frank Gormlie

One could tell it was going to be a large turn-out for the OB Planning Board meeting on Target Wednesday night, when more than a dozen people congregated at the locked doors of the Masonic Lodge a half hour before the town hall was to begin.

Meeting room filling up.

And a large turn-out it was. At least 200 people packed the Masons’ steamy meeting room, lining the walls, crowding at the doors – it was standing room only by time OBPB Chair John Ambert called the gig to order a little after 6pm. At least 5 news cameras were off to one side, a group of young people holding ‘No to Target in OB’ signs stood prominently at the rear of the room, while many sitting in the metal chairs waved make-do fans to cool themselves off. At first the noise and commotion was intense, as friends and neighbors re-united, at least momentarily. Target had brought in about 2 dozen of their employees who took up nearly 3 rows of chairs near the front.

“No to Target in OB” group stands with signs. Photo by South OB Girl

Over 2  hours later by the end of the meeting, it was clear that most locals in attendance opposed Target setting up shop on Newport Avenue. The meeting did get somewhat raucous at times, anger and frustration were expressed by a good number in the audience, there was a little chanting and boo’s met statements by the Target PR person. One guy did walk out totally upset with the process and his perceived result.

Standing room only. Photo by SOB

After Ambert explained the technical issue at hand – that with the issuance of so many off-site liquor licenses by the Alcohol Beverage Control for Ocean Beach, and with the habit of Target stores to sell alcohol, the planners were looking to approve or deny future such off-site sales of booze by any business.

Once the business partner of the Antique Center’s owner spoke, then a representative of Target got up and explained the corporation’s vision for its store in OB – then Ambert called on those who wished to speak to make their comments. And 29 people got up and spoke – often passionately – and observers got a clear sense of where the community of Ocean Beach was on the issue.

Before Ambert introduced the owners and Target rep, he recounted a little recent history. Target had asked him a couple months ago to discuss the idea of the store coming in. He pointed out that the building owners could rent or sell to whomever they chose – but this created an opportunity to speak to an array of issues regarding Target and alcohol sales at a town hall type gathering.

In 2017, the Planning Board made an active effort to research the process of how alcohol licenses are granted, Ambert continued, and to understand why Ocean Beach is over 300% of our allowed alcohol licenses. ABC grants these licenses based on census tracts, and OB has 3. Excluding the breweries and brewpubs, OB has a total of 66 off-site and on-site sales by alcohol licensed establishments.

Standing before audience: Chris, business partner, Laurie Jones of Target, Craig Gerwig, building owner.

In mid-April, a few planners along with reps from ABC and the police met so the OBceans could learn how licenses are granted when OB’s census tracts are over-saturated with them. Ambert explained there’s an exception to the numbers, and that is something called “pc and n” – public convenience and necessity, under which the ABC grants additional licenses. To learn more about the “pc and n” process and to  understand why breweries are not included, Ambert and folks from the OB Mainstreet Association and other community leaders met on May 24th. Ambert concluded the SDPD has a great voice in determining who gets alcohol licenses.

Then on July 14th, Ambert met with Target representatives to see if they planned to sell alcohol if they opened in OB. And this was the hook the Board was taking – to review whether they would approve or deny a recommendation of such a license. This was the only real issue before the Board, he said to some grumbling from the audience.

Chris, the business partner of Craig Gerwig , the building owner, was introduced and told the gathering of their efforts to find a buyer. “We wanted to find a buyer for the Antique store,” he said, “and we wanted to keep a stand-alone store,” and “we wanted to find a good partner with the OB vibe,” which led them to Target. Sounds of astonishment came from the back.

Laurie Jones from Target

Laurie Jones, the development manager for Target, then outlined what the store plans to do with the space. They had reached out to community leaders, she said, from OBMA, the Planning Board, the town council and others. “Tonight’s meeting,” she exclaimed, “is another opportunity to listen and learn.” As she explained the so-called small format of the Target Express, there were yells and calls “Target’s gotta go!” and then a bunch of “shut-up’s” in response. Ambert asked the crowd to be respectful, to a scattering of applause.

Jones continued. Target wanted “to respond to residents’ needs,” and with the small format, there’s “no prototype”, and the “merchandise is tailored” to the community. “This store will be tailored to fit your needs,” Jone declared.

There was some comparison to the South Park Target Express made by Jones, where that store stocked lots of groceries for the neighborhood, as it replaced another market. The South Park store, she said, supports that community with “walk-abouts” around the neighborhood.

Target architects are working on the design of the OB store, Jones said, and the exterior might have some wood and polished steel. Target will be hiring, she promised, 40 to 60 employees, and “most will be from OB,” she said. 90% of their merchandise will come from the Target distribution center, and 10% will be from “local vendors”.

There are Target merchants right now, Jones continued, who are researching the needs of the community. And they have found “gaps”, she said, of merchandise not available locally. Jones ticked off a list – sheets, towels, computer ink cartridges, other electronics, men and children’s clothing, and house supplies.

Jones then stated, “Target is prepared to open the store without alcohol,” and there was some applause.

Ambert opened up questions and comments from Board members. Craig Klein was first and he asked Jones if Target is “prepared to make a commitment not to sell alcohol in the future?”

Jones hesitated and said something to the effect that long-term decision would have to be made “down the road” – which unleashed a chorus of boos. Klein responded, “No way can I support you if you sell alcohol.”

Board member Marissa Spata asked why the building owner doesn’t want to sub-divide the property. Without waiting for a reply, Spata began listing local OB businesses that already sell merchandise that Target would offer: CVS, RiteAid, Olive Tree Market, Apple Tree Market, OB Hardware ….

Jones then answered with her list of goods, “sheets, towels, small furniture, toys….”

Spata then asked Jones whether she would “share your market research?”, but Jones said it was only internal material and “not for public consumption.”

Before meeting, people sign up to speak. Here Chris Stavros is signing up.

Long-time OB planner Tom Gawronski stated he was absolutely opposed to another alcohol seller. A woman Board member asked in general, “How can we trust a multi-national corporation?”

Andrew Waltz was next, and he asked the owners if there was an effort to find other local businesses for more of a community balance. Chris, the business partner said they were looking to sell the building, make some money and retire.  Last to go, Board member Dan Dennison cited the issue as OB’s unique community character, and then read from sections of the OB Community Plan that emphasized the desire for small-scale businesses.

Ambert then opened the meeting up to public comment – and comment they did.

Gretchen Newsom.Photo by South OB Girl

Gretchen Newsom, head of the OB Town Council, was up first. She said that the OBTC had not formally taken a position, but she wanted to offer her own personal comments. After reiterating that any employees hired by Target would be part-time with a little more than minimum wage, and that many vendors would be kicked out of the antique mall. She then listed all the clothing and jewelry she was wearing and the local businesses where she purchased them. She said market research is “code” – for “once Target pushes out local businesses, it can change its merchandise” to include what the businesses it pushed out were selling. This brought a round of applause.

Newsom then said that the OBTC would be taking up the Target issue at their next public meeting, August 24th.

Local activist and long-time resident Rick Callejon then led the crowd through a litany of corporations (7-Eleven, Subway, Starbucks) with the ending of “not in OB” and added Target at the end.

Another long-term resident, Diana Webster, was next and she supports Target. “I’d like to walk to Target. I would love to have Target here.”

Spencer asked Target reps, “How many locals were hired from South Park” at that store?  The store manager of the South Park Target Express rose and addressed this issue, claiming he didn’t have the exact number, but that many of the employees are from that neighborhood.

Town Council board member Keith Fink was discouraged and didn’t think there was much we can do. He did state, that he’d like to see Target signing a paper committing itself not to compete with local businesses, and he wanted to see full-time employees with benefits. Plus, he doesn’t want to see “a giant Target sign” on the building. This brought applause.

One of the young organizers of the protest at the back of the room, Jason Kocivar, was next. He recounted how he works on Newport 6 days a week, and he talks to a lot of visitors. “Visitors come to OB,” he said, “because it’s OB,” as he implied, they want to get away from the rest of the corporate world. Target, he said, “would undeniably adversely affect local businesses.”

Kathy Blavatt disparaged the effort to duplicate what businesses already sell, like CVS, then asked, “How many vendors who have booths [inside the antique mall] will lose their livelihood?” They also set up during the swap meets and would suffer greatly if they lost their permanent booths.

Jones from Target said the store would not have a pharmacy or a Starbucks.

Pastor Jim got up and said “If Target sells no alcohol, it will be the first one in history.” A woman named Mary asked Target why they couldn’t  hire the homeless. Debra Harris said she was very disappointed with the antique mall owners, as she said, she’s been loyal for decades and now look at what they’re doing.

One of the more actual speeches made by folks in the audience came from Gregg Robinson, a sociology professor, who said Target would create more empty storefronts in OB and that would bring in negative “unforeseen consequences”. “The only guarantee Target can make,” he said, “is to make profit that doesn’t go to the community.” He urged folks to get and stay active on this issue. “If we stay active, this can be stopped!” He added, “Target by law is only concerned with its shareholders,” and will “drive out other businesses.” He wrapped up, “If Target goes in, we’re all going to need one hell of a drink.” This brought laughs and clapping.

John Dallas, a local business owner, said, “It’s a sad day for OB” if Target comes in. He placed the blame for it due to the “lack of leadership by the District representative.”

Long-time activist Kim McGinley was up and began reading from sections of the community plan, citing chapter and verse. For example, the introduction calls for “low-scale business establishments”, and other sections promote local businesses. She called for people to form an anti-Target group and urged anyone interested to sign up on the lists on a table. “Target will destroy our community,” she said.

One of the owners of James Gang, wearing his anti-Target T-shirt, said he’s been around for 24 years and supports local businesses. His T-shirts are available at his store for $10, he said.

Karen Anderson said she is very disappointed in the building owners.  Julie Klein challenged the audience to get involved in the community, as many important issues never  bring out these many people. Mary O. was next and said she’s a business owner and favors Target. Kim Musgrove told the meeting she’s “looking forward to Target.”

Colleen Dietzel of the Green Center said she’s opposed to Target and admonished the owners for not creating affordable housing. Rio Metza gave her usual rousing call to action, speaking how Lola Luna – where she worked – was “pushed out by greed.” “We will win!” she shouted to applause.

Denine got up and simply stated, “If I need something from Target, I’ll go to Target,” referring to the large Target store on Sports Arena Blvd, which is only 1.9 miles away. This brought knowing laughter. She said she goes to OB Hardware a lot.

Shana McGinley, a resident for 21 years, declared, “If Target comes here, I will never walk through their doors again,” which elicited applause.

The well-known owner of Olive Tree, Chris Stavros, told everyone that he opened up his store 30 years ago, and he is absolutely opposed to alcohol sales by Target. He retold his story about when he was young, his father was trying to open up a Winchell’s Donuts in one of their storefronts, but due to community opposition, scrapped the whole plan. Chris asked him what was going to happen – and his father said, “we have to listen to the people,” with the obvious implication Target should do the same now.

Stavros had checked out the South Park store . “Target would kick the crap out of my business,” Stavros said. He urged the audience: “We can pull together and do something” about the situation. He ran some numbers and believed it was possible for local players to put something else in the building.

Past OBTC president Jim Musgrove said he was put off by the digression from the alcohol issue. “I’m not in favor or opposed to Target,” he said, but he doesn’t support alcohol sales by the store.

Nathan Kocivar – locally born and raised  and one of the protest organizers – told the crowd that in his travels he shared many good stories about OB, but “Target is not what the community needs or wants.” Marin Green, a board member of the town council, directed her comments to the Target people, for them “to listen and learn.” She then spoke slowly, “We don’t want Target in our community.”

This reporter was last to comment. I made the points that even though I’ve spent plenty of money at local OB brewpubs, I’m against another business having off-site sales of alcohol, and asked the building owners why they couldn’t put in some toilets and wiring. Why couldn’t they divide up the building to make it more reasonable for small businesses to make the rent. “Why won’t you divide the building up,” I asked, “instead of dividing up the community?”

Then I asked the audience if they opposed Target coming into OB, to stand up and applaud. Many did.

Once the public comment period was over, the Board took up the issue, and after a brief discussion and – almost anti-climatically – unanimously passed a motion to oppose any future permits for off-site sales of alcohol by any business.

The gathering was finally over and the Planning Board had done their utmost to give the community a chance to sound off about Target.

Now, the OB Town Council will hold their public discussion on Target at their meeting August 24th – back in the Masons’ hall, once again.

This battle is far from over. Nothing is in stone, one of the owners said. This is not, apparently, a done deal.

Stay tuned.