Here’s the news, from J.K. Dineen, Reporter, San Francisco Business Times. Oh dear:
District 10 Supervisor Malia Cohen, who represents the Bayview, said that Fresh & Easy did little to support its Third Street store, and was unresponsive to efforts to work with the community. “I am deeply disappointed that Fresh and Easy did not include the Bayview community in this process. As a city we have made consistent efforts to be a part of the discussion to ensure that the Bayview community was not harmed by the failures of Fresh & Easy to capitalize on the economic opportunities in San Francisco,” she said in a statement.
So, San Francisco County isn’t a hard place in which to do business? But, yes it is a hard place in which to do business! Here’s the task – go into the Bayview and operate a gro sto that makes money, but keep in mind that this goal has been attained by nobody else. And when things don’t work out, a low-level elected official will call out your alleged incompetence to tout le monde.
“Fresh & Easy may point to the low-performance of the existing Bayview store as the primary reason for why it was not included in the acquisition agreement. However, this statement does not take into account that Fresh & Easy made little effort to support the day to day operations of the store.”
Malia Cohen, business consultant?
She said city officials “made countless offers to meet with the general manager of the store to discuss neighborhood marketing campaigns in order to ensure it would remain successful.”
So if you’re running a business in the 415, a “neighborhood marketing campaign” will “ensure” success? Really?
Supervisor Cohen said that the decision would force many Bayview residents to buy their groceries in other neighborhoods.
Oh, back to planet Earth, yes, at least we agree on this. Yes, the F&E is the only genuine grocery store in the area. Of course, there’s a Walgreens at 5300 3rd Street just five blocks away and it’s sort of a substitute for a gro sto. Here’s the extensive chip section – it’s the Great Wall o’ Chips!
(And this is just one part of The Wall.)
But it’s not really a full-on grocery, I’ll agree.
Oh, but what’s this the next block over at 5201 3rd? It’s Aguila de Oro Produce. See? It’s smack dab in the middle of the Lower Third’s purported “food desert” and yet it’s more of a “food oasis,” as defined by the Feds, than any Walgreens in the world:
Via Burrito Eater, “San Francisco’s top resource for taquerias and mustaches.”
This store serves all comers. And in a way, it has an unlimited supply.
So Malia, instead of crittercizing grocery managers who were given an almost impossible task, why not promote those who are already succeeding without the help of SFGov? I mean, the first thing I’d think about if you asked me to operate a full-on grocery in the area is why have all the other efforts failed? And then I’d think about how long will it take for my political “friends” to turn on me?
Cohen has already begun conversations with local grocers about potentially acquiring the site if Yucaipa does not reconsider purchasing the Bayview location.
Like F&E could give a fuck, right? It’s like be our guest, Malia Cohen. Go knock yourself out.
“I am committed to working with the community to determine the future of this important asset, continue our economic revitalization efforts* on the Third Street corridor and ensure that the Bayview community continues to have access to health and affordable food options,” she said.
Blah blah blah. What does all this mean? Who created this “asset?” You, Malia Cohen, or those you harsh out? And who on Earth will “ensure that the Bayview community continues to have access to health and affordable food options?” Access to health? That’s a tall order, non?
I don’t know, it might feel good to flip off those who can no longer help you, but think of The Future, Malia.
If You Want.
*Efforts, mmm. Was the Third Street rail system an “effort?” I suppose. Is it a success? IDK. IMO, we’d be better of without it, even though the Feds kicked in a lot of money. Was Redevelopment all those years ago an “effort?” Yes. Was it a “success?” Oh no. We all agree about that, in retrospect. You live in a world of yes-men, you know, your officemates. You don’t want to lose the plot, Malia, in such an environment. You don’t want to lose touch with the Real World.
