When it comes to the Richmond Starbucks saga, the closer we get to the fateful Board of Supervisors meeting on September 11th, the more and more juicy little tidbits come out. For instance, an article in yesterday’s Examiner unearthed a city ordinance passed last November. The ordinance, passed by voters, essentially made it much more difficult for chain stores to open in San Francisco; for example, new chain-store proposals are now required to hold public hearings at the Board of Supes. If the last year is any indication, the ordinance has been succeeding in curbing chain stores:
Since San Francisco voters passed the ordinance … there have been less than a dozen permits pulled for name-brand businesses.Lawrence Badiner, zoning administrator for The City’s Planning Department, said that although it’s speculation, his gut feeling is that fewer chain operators are attempting to open stores because of the ordinance.
While a handful chain stores have been approved–the article specifically mentions an Apple store–more permits have already fallen by the wayside, with others still awaiting judgment, including the Richmond Starbucks.
Countdown to the hearing: five days.
Richmond Starbucks fight tests ordinance [Examiner]
Earlier: San Francisco’s Anti-Starbucks History [MenuBlog]
