People who responded to an Argus-Courier online poll Oct. 2, 2008 are divided about whether they would like a “lifestyle” retail center in Petaluma.
More than half (52.2 percent) said Petaluma does not need a center with “high-end” retailers such as Pottery Barn, Old Navy and Williams-Sonoma. A slightly smaller number (43.5 percent) said they think the city does need such a center.
Asked if they shop at such centers, 15.2 percent said often, 39.1 percent said sometimes and 26.1 percent said rarely.
Asked if Petaluma needs more hotels, 34.8 percent said yes and 41.3 percent said no.
Here are some of the comments by those who responded to the survey.
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“Our shopping dollars are leaving Petaluma and heading to Santa Rosa, Novato and Corte Madera. We need these purchases to stay here in Petaluma. What we don”t need is another strip mall like the Santa Rosa Costco or Vintage Oaks in Novato. Combine these stores into a beautiful walking mall that is better than Town Center in Corte Madera. Only then will you get the support needed.”
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“More hotels? You”ve got to be kidding! If the one at the marina is totally booked constantly, I”d say yes. It probably is booked when NASCAR comes to Infineon. Why build other hotels when the nice one we have is not constantly filled? Do we really want to set up a business to fail?”
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“Like most Petalumans, I am sick and tired of having to leave town every time I want to shop for something other than antiques or groceries. I am tired of our town being held hostage by those who find weeds and decay charming. Right now the proposed (Target) site is a mess ” much like the Theatre District was before it was revitalized. Turn it into something nice that will serve the greater community and bring much needed tax revenue to the city. Oh, and while you”re at it, build the Rainier cross-town connector already!”
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“Please don”t build Deer Creek. It is an obvious flood plain.”
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“I would like to see the vacant office space in town filled up before we build more retail space.”
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“The Sheraton hotel at the marina is an example of architectural design that is pleasing to the eye and complementary to its site. Any new additional construction has a high bar to reach. If Petaluma wants to bring increased tourism, it will not be accomplished by building the same stores here that are available 15 miles north or south of here. There should be unique offerings without the retail sprawl that is seen in too many places.”
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“While I would like some “high-end” stores as described in this survey, I do not think we need to build additional retail space. I would prefer to use what space we already have and upgrade a few of our current retail stores. Why do we need a Mervyns, Kohl”s, Ross and potentially a Target? They accommodate a similar audience. There is unfilled retail space that already exists.”
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“Lifestyle center? Give me a break. What a ridiculous “new age marketing” kind of name is that? Petaluma doesn”t need any more stores without adequate (i.e. improved) streets and traffic control, which will never happen. Why clutter and congest a town that is already cluttered and congested? (Oh, development money. Now I see.)
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“Our retail sales need to be here, not in Rohnert Park or Santa Rosa. We really need an electronics store here, also.”

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“The site that this project is proposed for is best suited for river-dependent industrial development. We currently have a glut of vacant homes and condos in Petaluma, so why do we need more? And the shape that our national economy is in is causing big problems with the kinds of stores proposed here. If we are to build another hotel here in Petaluma, let”s put it somewhere a lot more scenic.”
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“A few big names never hurt any town. It will keep more business here. With all the downtown improvements, let”s keep it going. Just because we bring in some bigger names doesn”t mean we have to give up our small-town feel. We could never lose that.”
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“I”d sure hate to see Petaluma turned into Novato or Rohnert Park.”
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“Everyone lives here ” wealthy and not-so-wealthy. I never shop at stores like these because they are unaffordable to me. Is the Sheraton full? No. Do we need another underfilled hotel? No. This model of ownership goods from offshore is online casino falling apart. New crap from overseas? Why? So bored housewives can shop for stuff to fill their consumerist desires that go along with their taking of pharmaceuticals?”

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“Petaluma does not need chain stores. It has a unique character which should be preserved.”
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“Petaluma has a lot of vacant commercial space already that needs to be filled before any more commercial space is built. One prime example is the Theatre Square District which still has many vacant spots. I thought that was supposed to be the lifestyle center of the town anyway.”
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“But let”s keep the Marinites out.”
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“What might actually bring more people here are the arts, a comic book museum or something that whole families can do besides mindless shopping. If we”re going to build homes, let”s move into a truly modern age and actually have room between buildings/homes with parks, trees, etc.”
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“Wait until the city can afford it. Need new people on the Council, like Spence Burton, who can balance the budget.”
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“When I think of lifestyle, I think of fitness and wellness. Get people moving.”
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“I was raised in Petaluma and love this town, or should I say city. I now live near Seattle. It”s OK, but it”s not like my favorite place, Northern California. I will move back soon, I hope! My husband was raised in Seattle and loves it here, so I got my work cut out for me. Petaluma is indeed a great place and whether I”m here or there this town will always be in my heart.”
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“Petaluma already has the Sheraton and a number of smaller hotels such as Best Western. They do not need anymore and certainly not a high-end one.”
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“We have plenty of hotels already that do not fill up. As far as the “lifestyle” center goes, look around you. People are out of work, people are losing their retirement and their savings and you want to put in high-end stores that people can”t afford. For once, use your head. We all know you are going to build no matter what, so at least build stores that people can afford to buy things in. You talk of a Best Buy. Why? We can go in either direction and get a Best Buy. Why not bring in a Fry”s electronics? They are better than Best Buy and for once you will have people come to Petaluma to spend their money and not the other way around. Put in Target and not Wal-Mart. The store is nicer, cleaner and does not have a awful reputation like Wal-Mart. Instead of letting a store approach you, go out and find the best and approach them. Look for stores that aren”t 10 minutes away in any direction. We don”t need another Costco or Lowes. I only mentioned Target, which is not that far either, because that really is the only choice in that kind of store besides Wal-Mart.”