IKEA's closing Around Town, posted by Tom L., a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Nov 4, 2006 at 5:00 pm
The rumor in East Palo Alto is that IKEA will close after Christmas. Some employees have been told and they're letting the cat out of the bag. This is a real loss in many ways -- first, the City was depending on the sales tax revenue from that place. Second, while unemployment is generally low, that's not the case in EPA, and this won't help. The third issue is purely aesthetic, but what will become of that giant building on 101? It's too big for a supermarket to use as a store. A giant boarded up building will be an eyesore for the community and possibly attract crime. This is really sad news for our friends in East Palo Alto. Maybe something can be done before it closes????
Posted by No new Stores, a resident of the Embarcadero Oaks/Leland neighborhood, on Nov 4, 2006 at 9:05 pm
If that is true, I call that a good start. Ikea was generating too much traffic and negatively impacting the quality of life for PA residents. Now we must work to shut down Home Depot in EPA, Best Buy/Bed Bath and Beyond/REI in MV and the Whole Foods in Lod Altos.
These places were built without the consultation and input of the PA city council and NIMBYists.
Posted by J.L., a resident of the Ventura neighborhood, on Nov 4, 2006 at 10:07 pm
I don't believe it. If it's a rumor, it was started by a disgruntled employee, or the particular species of whining grinch that is common in these parts.
IKEA has RARELY closed a store. It has NEVER closed a store so soon after opening. By all reports, the store is a big success.
If I'm wrong, it might be a bice place for an inside auto mall. :)) Seems funny at first thought, but it's certainly big enough to fill the bill.
Posted by Izzy, a resident of another community, on Nov 5, 2006 at 7:48 am
Only in Palo Alto -- 'No new Stores'. Come on!
Last time I checked EAST Palo Alto is a different city in a different county than Palo Alto. Other than trying to be a good neighbor, why would EPA even care if PA wanted or didn't want these stores... same is true for Mountain View and Los Altos. These cities (just like every other city except maybe Palo Alto) are looking for revenue and jobs and they offer that to their citizens.
Personally, I think it would be too bad if IKEA left East Palo Alto. I think it's a good store that sells stuff at reasonable prices. It's better than driving to Emeryville or getting it online... at least the local sales tax is staying in the community -- a community that needs it!
'No new Stores' comments are just another example of the self-entitled attitude that is so prevalent in Palo Alto. Plus, if he/she feels so strongly about this, why not give a real name!
Posted by No new Stores, a resident of the Embarcadero Oaks/Leland neighborhood, on Nov 5, 2006 at 9:18 am
Izzy, unfortunately when writing it is hard to convey sarcasm--my writings were completely toungue-in-cheek.
My writings actually were a reflection of what many NIMBYists in PA feel. i am actually quite perturbed that our neighbors seem to be able to build large stores within their confines, but PA can not get anything done because of self-centered, and as you put it, self-entitled attitudes of many of the NIMBYists in town, who seem to be able, even though they are a minority, to decide for the whole city.
Posted by Izzy, a resident of another community, on Nov 6, 2006 at 4:49 am
You're right, sarcasm is hard to do in writting... I'm glad to hear that's what it is, from you. Unfortunately, like you said, there are many that DO feel that way.
Posted by jm, a resident of the Leland Manor/Garland Drive neighborhood, on Nov 11, 2006 at 1:57 pm
NO new stores...you have probably been around since the good people of Palo Alto stole the airport the dump and the Harbor from the good citizens of EPA which left them without any funds to run their city.
Posted by anonymous, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Nov 17, 2006 at 11:05 pm
I wouldn't discount this rumor about IKEA closing after Christmas -- IKEA is dropping its plans to build in Dublin in Contra Costa County. Here's a link to a story about that -- Web Link
Note how the story describes the opening of the IKEA store in Emeryville as "extremely successful" but no such modifier was applied to the EPA opening.
Posted by E, a resident of the South of Midtown neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2006 at 9:48 pm
A theory:
The Emeryville store is successful due to the large # of new houses being built in the outskirts of Silicon Valley.
The East Palo Alto store gets less traffic because it's surrounded by more established communities... and perhaps residents who are older and/or have more up-scale tastes?
For me, the novelty wore off. I went there 8-10 times in the first year, but lately not so much.
Posted by Pamela Burch, a resident of East Palo Alto, on Dec 8, 2006 at 4:27 pm
I've been a resident of East Palo Alto since 1973. The poor, non-hispanic speaking residents of EPA need a grocery store. Use the IKEA space for a Safeway/Payless. I am so tired of being treated like something scraped off of the bottom of a shoe by the mom and pop neighborhood stores run by Hispanics. Why open a Circuit City next to Best Buy. Who makes these awful decisions ?
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