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Another View of Business Development I am enthusiastic about the development of the blog and a variety of opinions from contributors. The Mission Viejo community survey showed less than 20 percent of residents get their city news from the Register or SV News. The latest blog received very thoughtful letters from Nadine Harder and Jill Hanoka, which reflect concern for the city and its businesses. Nadine cites recent letters lamenting the loss of businesses in Mission Viejo, which is a growing perception. But, frankly, Mission Viejo commercial centers have scant vacancies. For example, the center at La Paz and Marguerite across from city hall supposedly is in trouble and needs a facelift, but it has 100 percent occupancy. One new tenant had to outbid two other businesses vying for the same spot and won out by offering to sign a longer lease. Three-fourths of the parking lot has been blacktopped and striped, and only one small section has not been repainted. Its traditional Mediterranean architecture is not outdated. Elsewhere in Mission Viejo, six shopping center renovations are under construction. The City Outlook is including a list of all restaurants in town. Many businesses fail because they don't market themselves. It is not the city's job to bring customers to the door. That same new business that outbid others for a spot at La Paz and Marguerite has sent several fliers to my house, and I'm not real close. The same thought applies to Jill Hanoka's letter supporting a coffee shop on Los Alisos and wanting the community to stop a Starbucks from locating in the same center (which is adjacent to the old K-Mart site). As Blog publisher Dale Tyler wrote last week, a property owner should be able to run his property as he sees fit, provided he meets zoning and other code. Starbucks has a right to locate there and obviously has seen a marketing void that indicates the coffee shop hasn't maximized marketing opportunities. Bloggers, take note. If Starbucks wants in, that means this sector REALLY IS viable for business development, including the K-Mart property, which supposedly is a poor commercial site. That was the reason for conversion to high-density housing. The K-Mart site hasn't been my issue, but you guys who have been fighting high-density housing should be all over this Starbucks decision. So, Nadine and Jill, keep your comments coming. Only good can come from give and take on the issues. Allan Pilger |
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