Business
Local businesses and the economic and political conditions that affect them. Flag as Inappropriate
Posts awaiting your approval 0
Captain Bebops May 11, 2013 at 04:46 pm
I hope there are some whole grain goodies too. I don't know why Martinez is so white bread? And I…Read More hope I don't have to take out a second mortgage to buy a muffin. Notice how Starbucks goodies keep getting smaller while their prices keep getting higher?
Aly Gad May 11, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Please bake bread! We would love a local source rather than driving out to Acme.
Cheryll May 9, 2013 at 10:06 pm
It IS a pretty cool building for a little lunch place of some kind..good idea! And moving closer to…Read More where I work? I think I can deal with that! But I hope they dont tear down the building, or the drive in, etc. Huge developers are building cracker jack boxes. I am not impressed.
Carrie Francis May 9, 2013 at 08:11 pm
The project is owned by Dr. Stephen Francis, and yes, the information is correct that a drive-thru…Read More Taco Bell will open there.
Trenton Gregory May 14, 2013 at 12:57 am
If someone....really thought the property was maintained so badly they would want nothing to do with…Read More Dicks , think you all got played and would thank them for anything! Ha Ha
Opinion8d May 13, 2013 at 11:51 pm
I wish people on this page would look into the ways that "property rights" have been…Read More trumped by the American value of preserving historic landmarks time and time again throughout our land.
Respect for our history trumps property rights sometimes - and if Vierra hadn't slithered in so quickly to destroy the Dome, just because he could, he'd have found that out. Of course, that's why he demolished it before anyone could make a move.
Chris J Kapsalis April 25, 2013 at 02:00 am
KNowing three of them very well, though I do not agree completely with bannign bags, well, one just…Read More won woman of the year in Martinez last year who i cannot say enough about, the other two I know are awesome hard working women and you could not find better people, on earth. Kooks? Hardly. Awesome people? Yep.
Jim Caroompas (Editor) April 23, 2013 at 01:17 pm
Patrick, I think there are plenty of recent examples of corporate lobbying going on in legislative…Read More hallways that counteract what a (often significant) majority of people would support. That being said, I did not frame this story in the manner you suggest. I merely pointed out that the plastic bag industry "is not without political clout." That does not, in my mind, imply the reason for the bags' popularity or continued use. But there is a legislative movement afoot to ban these bags, and it seems feasible that such a ban could be put into place, which I also noted in the story, so in terms of clout, seems there is plenty to go around.
Marlene Lerner-Bigley April 12, 2013 at 02:50 pm
The gentleman who owns Carlos Shoe Repair is pretty great, I agree. He wants to educate kids on the…Read More value of shoe making and repair. He says it is a dying art form with only a few shoe smiths doing what he does. His contribution to our youth would be invaluable to those students who do love to work with their hands and learn a real trade.
I also vote for the theatre to be utilized, like the Dome, for independent films and possible rental for other venues.
Mary Jo lippo April 11, 2013 at 02:22 am
Carlos shoe repair the most amazing business owner on Main Street need more people like him.
Mary Jo lippo April 11, 2013 at 02:15 am
Such a little click downtown, if your not into kissins alot of ass! No reason to spend the money to…Read More loose it on a dead street lol
Rose Gomez April 5, 2013 at 12:46 pm
My family and I have been going there forever. Pozole for me and shrimp ceviche for sure. Haven't…Read More had a bad meal there yet. The ladies that serve are super friendly and courteous.
Kendall April 5, 2013 at 11:10 am
My favorite restaurant in and around Martinez of ANY cuisine! Not only is the food fantastic but…Read More everyone is so nice! One time when my son wanted nachos, which aren't traditional Mexican food and aren't on the menu, they whipped up a pile of them. Let me tell you, they were the best nachos we ever had! Their prices are great and their servings are generous. I've never had a bad meal.
Jim Caroompas (Editor) April 25, 2013 at 10:44 am
This subject has been discussed pretty thoroughly, and I thank everyone for their views. I am now…Read More turning off the comment stream.
Mary Smith April 25, 2013 at 03:11 am
To Cynthia ...
YOU GO, GIRL!!! Your comments are intelligent and well-spoken!
Can I come to your…Read More house for some of that strawberry angel food cake?
Yummmmmmmmmmmmm!
Nick Reshatoff April 11, 2013 at 11:41 pm
Compass Star #1!! Yes I totally agree. Amazing food with a relaxing candlelit dining experience.…Read More Perfect way to relax after a hectic work day. Check it out, you won't be sorry! :)
DIANE BOYLE April 11, 2013 at 11:38 pm
I would LOVE to have an authentic French restaurant on Main Street, and/or AUNTENTIC ITALIAN…Read More cuisine. I enjoy dining out in my neighborhood, but these cuisines are missing.
Lots of pizza tho:-)
Nicole diGiorgio April 11, 2013 at 02:34 pm
Looking at the stats Lemongrass should be #1. Places 1-3 all have the same rating but Lemongrass has…Read More the most reviews, then Yanni's, then Compass Star. Love them all. Out of the three (actually all of them) we eat at Lemongrass the most. Hungry. I wasn't too impressed with the food that we had at Barrel Aged (steak dinner that we could have easily made ourselves and was 30-something dollars with our $10 drinks) and the one time we went to Royal Thai we kept thinking we should have gone to Lemongrass. Compass Star and Yanni's are awesome though!
Betty J. Cherene April 10, 2013 at 07:46 pm
I owe you an apology. You seem like a nice person and I was a little snarky. Your experiences were…Read More not good in the small theatre. I don't think we were in that flat floored theatre. As for going to the other side of 680, we don't like that scene as it has become like Walnut Creek and anywhere USA. It's too much of a hassle and we can't just get up and go at the last minute because it takes so long to get a place to park. You make excellent points about where art films are going - to Berkeley and San Francisco. Too much hassle for a film less than 2 hours. Staying home, but we have to clean up our own popcorn spills.
Captain Bebops April 10, 2013 at 03:34 pm
Betty, I keep up on the local theater scene and I know that since the last time I was at the…Read More Cinearts there have been no renovations. They wanted to do some but the landlord wouldn't allow it (from article in the CC Times). Only the dome had true stadium seating and these domes were probably the first to offer such in the Bay Area.
I watch movies on a big screen all the time. I've had a home theater since 2000. Did you know that 55" TVs are going for less than you paid for that 27" TV in the late 1980s? Pair that with some a reasonably priced surround system and you'll have a decent home theater complete with pause and rewind. You don't get those in a theater. And I don't get some dummy putting his stinky sneakers up on the top of the seat next to me or talking to his girlfriend all the way through the movie. Rude patrons have driven away many people from theaters. I saw "Olympus has Fallen", not an arts film but something I was curious about and couldn't believe that some idiot kept taking calls and checking his smartphone throughout the movie.
And BTW did you know that some of the more popular foreign and independent films often play on one of the screens across the freeway and also the one in WC? I'm sure CineMark will continue to do so. Also here in Martinez the Contra Costa Cinema occasionally shows some too.
Betty J. Cherene April 9, 2013 at 08:35 pm
Well, while you were sitting at your computer, we were in front of the theatre - standing around…Read More talking to each other as if we were old friends. It was more of a cocktail party without the liquor. It was peaceful land heart fulfilling to be with one's "kin". We were not keeping people out of the theatre, yet the city had a peace officer there. Strange how a few gentle people can be so misunderstood. Will we see you there on Saturday?
Geralyn April 4, 2013 at 03:36 pm
Great pictures Brian! Thank you so much for sharing, I enjoyed them. Are those white tailed kites?
Chris J Kapsalis April 3, 2013 at 03:22 pm
GREAT PHOTO'S Brian!!! We shoudl make a FB page for people to share photo's of local wildlife in…Read More Martinez. We have so much here!! Love these pictures.Very impressive. wow!!
Barbara Glenn April 7, 2013 at 11:56 am
I have known both Marty and Jim for a very long time. Jim and his wife gave unselfishly of…Read More themselves for years as 4-H leaders, when I was a child as well as into the lives of both of my children. He remembers every child and always asks after them and their lives. He gives to other organizations even now. Marty has been involved in many different community service organizations since we were children together. He continues to be an outstanding supporter of Martinez and deserves recognition. Barbara Patchin also deserves recognition for her generous spirit and can do attitude- always appreciated!
I am so proud of our young people too. I wish all of the recipients a hearty congratulations!
Deborah Dawson April 4, 2013 at 03:15 pm
Wyatt Licht is an outstanding young man I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with at…Read More Alhambra his entire high school career. Martinez can be very proud of and expect great things from him. He has been a great supporter of student rights and been very involved in Interact and many other school and community groups. Yay Wyatt !
Donald Pallotta April 4, 2013 at 01:39 pm
Simply not so! Very disappointed that anyone could make such negative commentary about a person…Read More whose integrity and character have been demonstrated over such a long period of time. What a cheap shot!
Georgia Choate March 31, 2013 at 11:09 pm
I have actually tried to back out of this What's For Work Promotion because I have taken the…Read More volunteer route for finding a job. When I tried to do that from their website, I was sent to a page that was down. Hm. (I will try that again.) When I sent a message to the email address that Patch provided, it was ignored. I don't want them to try and charge me once the free trial period is up, and I consider this my third attempt to detach myself from this program. Patch? Can you help me with this?
Chris Nicholson April 3, 2013 at 09:44 am
Utopia, indeed. When these issues come up (save the unprofitable legacy versus take a market deal…Read More from a newcomer), the people who complain the loudest are least likely to reach for their OWN wallets via patronage or charitable support but instead demand that the unlucky owner be forced to earn depressed return on his assets and/or demand government step in to fund a solution (i.e., again use OTHER people's wallets to pay)?
The other glaring irony is that these people imagine a spiritual battle between arts/culture on the one hand and corporate greed on the other. And yet these people seem unable to read the names in brass letters on America's major artistic and cultural institutions. Where did this money come from? Certainly not from nostalgia.
CJ April 3, 2013 at 03:17 am
BDE/BG- Your pots need stirring. The utopia you yearn for doesn't exist and never will.
Barry D Elfant April 3, 2013 at 03:11 am
Brian,
Thanks for seeing things my way. CJ seems to thrive on "stirring the pot " and in…Read More the process revealing his lack of emotional and cultural development..I usually choose to ignore people like this because they are practically unreachable.
If commercial development remains unchecked we will have nothing but national chains to shop from and only blockbuster movies that contain gratuitous violence..I am glad that some contributors on this chat board have something worthwhile to offer.
Robinson Crusoe March 14, 2013 at 02:52 pm
This is sad. The question should be do you UNDERPAY? How much are your children worth to you? If you…Read More go to a stoor tha pays minimum wage do you get good service? How about if the pay $20? Child care should be a highly paid job. What is more important than your children?
MIKE ALFORD March 3, 2013 at 01:34 am
well Let me simplefie That ----- First Of All They Take So Much Money in their campains From The…Read More Busbys,Donivans,Siienos And Gus Kramer --- They Have To Answer To Their MASTERS ! ---- You Want The Truth Hear It Is ALL Deals Are Done By And Through These Special Intrests Groups That Have Bought And Paid For With The Help Of Torlickson,DeSlanure Dont Forget Glover eather See These People Are In Line To All Benifit From VERY HIGH DENESITY Building along With Goverment Housing === If You Can Not See This Well You Are Out of Touch With The Sham & Scam That Is Happing RIGHT In Front Of You ! ---- Why Do You Think They They Keep BUYING The Same People And Keeping Them (AS YOU SAY) Looking Down And Talking To Us The Un Washed Masses ! === See I & All of you Know WHY They Cant Afford To Have Someone Like Me Working For The People Of MARTINEZ ---- I Tell The People The Truth !! --- And That CANT LET THAT HAPPEN ---- NOT In MARTINEZ !!!
Lawrence Risner March 2, 2013 at 07:51 pm
I have always wondered why the local city governments are like that Ann. Here's a group of people…Read More put in that position by the very people they treat like underlings and are sometimes even rude to them. You can build a throne so they can look down on the meeting visitors but does that mean they have to "lord-over" people. I get the feeling of intimidation and also a sense of being treated a bit lowly having to physically look up to talk to them for not being at eye level. Have to say though that it's not just here that city leaders like to look down upon visitors by having elevated seats.
Anyway, maybe instead of spending a ton of money on the marina right now perhaps a parking structure would be a wiser choice for the funds to solve a larger and more urgent problem. Just a thought.......
Anne Mobley March 2, 2013 at 02:48 pm
Validated parking would help all the businesses downtown. We have asked about that but it fell on…Read More deaf ears. The change in the parking situation downtown hurt all of us. Lack of parking spaces makes people circle the block once or twice and then leave if they can't find any. On the 500 block we lost about 7 parking spaces. They end up going to Pleasant Hill's downtown where parking is free.
Jessica H May 12, 2013 at 10:22 pm
This place is hideous! The food is greasy and tastes off, my waiter confirmed lunch specials then…Read More brought us dinner menu portions and argued about our order. People who think this is good and fresh have no clue about good Chinese food! Do not waste your time or money here.
Captain Bebops March 2, 2013 at 06:21 pm
Just noticed this morning that the Muir Center Starbucks is getting a remodel. I had wondered what…Read More the big trash containers were doing near there this week. Anyone have any details? They've always wanted a larger place but Center management wouldn't allow it. It's supposedly their most profitable outlet in the East Bay (which also seemed to give them no incentive to get drinks out very fast). This remodel probably had to wait until the new outlet opened in the strip mall behind Home Depot.
Craig G. February 27, 2013 at 12:08 pm
We had takeout there and it was truly awful. Greasy and just generally distasteful. While we got a…Read More discount, we ended up throwing the food away. So, basically we threw $20+ away. This was, quite possibly, the *worst* Chinese food I've ever had. If you don't have much culinary discretion, like big portions of badly prepared, odd tasting food with a possible stomachache later, this is the place for you! (Also, they don't even bother with making their own hot mustard or fortune cookies.)
Dave Thomas February 14, 2013 at 09:24 pm
Until the City transferred most of economic development into public works we had half of the city…Read More employees in that department and yet no development but we did get restrictive laws and sign ordinances and some brick crosswalks, middle of street green planting areas preventing a customer from turning left into a business and lets not forget planting trees in parking spots and eliminating on street parking to let bicycles have their own lane.
The cities of Richmond, Pittsburg and Antioch along with Martinez have tried for 50 years everything possible to re-vitalize.
For the most part every suggestion on this site has already failed once.
The sad truth is most of downtown is not profitable for small business owners.
What might work would be to GROW a new downtown starting AT the Marina with live/work/play & shop. I forgot... the state offered us OWNERSHIP of the Marina if we would share some of the profits so we do not own it.
36,000 RESIDENTS. If 2,000 utilize or need the downtown and 34,000 do not care spending taxpayer dollars is wrong.
Melody Lacy February 14, 2013 at 03:26 pm
A specialty grocery store. Something people would look up in the phone book or online to travel…Read More from different cities to visit. Good produce, for downtown neighbors, but also specialty foods, like a Greek grocery or an Indian grocery or even a Peruvian grocery.
MIKE ALFORD February 14, 2013 at 02:28 am
Well ------ I Had The Distenct impression that this thread was about the three empty store fronts…Read More on 714 main st ? Not the empty mind of sombody putting a mural on an oil tank at shell ? ---- But than agane you have to understand that a nitter that grew upin the land of Grefittie would get a little confused whit reality of what it REAL ! The only thin that could help 714 main st Now Is a buldozer ! The Kassals Were offerd 700,000 dollars CASH from Nader in 2010 ! ---- BUT Mrs Kassal Said NO! it was worth more she wanted 1,000,000 Well Now Its Worth AT best 175,000 ----- No a dozer is the only thing that makes sence ! the entire basement has rotted and falling in
MIKE ALFORD April 15, 2013 at 12:53 am
NO It Couldnt ! ------ There Is Now A Right Out Of The Summer Of Love -- A Down town -- Total Love…Read More Fest ---- And Everyone Is Going To A Day On The Green Down At The Marina -- And There Are No Bad Resturants Or Cockroachs --- Yea It Will Be Just Like The 60s Again
Chris J Kapsalis April 15, 2013 at 12:26 am
In New orleans, just as I was about to take a bite of a sandwhich one crawled out of it. Now That…Read More was disturbing.
Patrick J. McNamara April 15, 2013 at 12:22 am
I'm sure you're right. If only he weren't so fearless. Kind of intimidated me.
Rhonda February 4, 2013 at 02:18 pm
I heard Chipotle is moving in my the drive through Starbucks...YEA!!!
FAYE BULL May 3, 2013 at 10:36 pm
Bookshop Benicia!!!!! I love that shop. Independent bookstores are holy in my book! :-)
Julie Laura Rose March 22, 2013 at 06:51 pm
To support local businesses. Seems to me that as Sal the Plumber, you might be a local business too.…Read More Our community needs us to support it! Or else it will go away.
Julie Laura Rose March 22, 2013 at 06:49 pm
I love bookstores and frequent them, but have such a large professional library and such a backlog…Read More of books to read that mostly the ones I buy are treasure hunted at thrift stores or garage sales because they had just come up in conversation or an article, and there they were. But I do buy books at bookstores for gifts, and occasionally buy new ones. I just really don't need anymore books right now. And that's a big shame, since I do really like frequenting and supporting LOCAL retailers.
I guess one good way around this is to buy gift certificates at local bookstores, and get other people going in to them.
Chris Bryant February 4, 2013 at 03:25 pm
I need to give credit where credit is due - Mike Spinelli started Roxx's open Mic and we share…Read More hosting duties as I am there pretty much every Thursday .
Who's Hiring in Martinez: Petco; Sanitary District; Great…
0 Recommend Susan C. Schena