Asked which home-improvement store they’d like to see as an anchor store for the project, 61.2 percent said Friedman’s Home Improvement, 24.1 percent said Home Depot, 6.1 percent said Orchard Supply Hardware and 8.6 percent said “other.” Lowe’s was originally planned for the center, but the company pulled out last month.
Here are some of the comments by those who responded to the survey:
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“One of the major objections I have to both the Regency and Deer Creek projects is that our traffic infrastructure is insufficient to handle the congestion that will be created from new shopping centers without adding new and improved roads to help with traffic flow. Can you say crosstown connector?”
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“Petaluma loses thousands of dollars in tax revenue each year by not having a local home improvement store. Friedman’s would be an excellent choice since they are a local company and not a national chain.”
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“Petaluma needs a Friedman’s Home Improvement store, but not built in the flood plain as the Deer Creek site is. Nobody has ever built there for a reason. As for other stores there, they are likely to steal customers from existing businesses rather than draw new ones in. The no-build option is my preference.”
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“Costco.”
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“No-brainer here. The survey results will show almost everyone will choose Friedman’s. Local vs. chain in Petaluma — local will win. Plus they have a long history in Petaluma and they have all the products one would need. I am so happy we drove Lowe’s away and I just read Home Depot is in trouble.”
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“Do we really need yet more retail in Petaluma? And what a lousy location. This is one of Petaluma’s most congested traffic areas, which will become yet more congested when the Target shopping center opens. If we do have to have this shopping center here, let it be our local Friedman’s.”
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“Bring Lowe’s back to the table. We need a full-service, outdoor lumber yard in town.”
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“Let’s get a home-grown store back in Petaluma. I’m tired of the big-box stores and having to leave town to get supplies for home projects.”
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“I’m a local general building contractor who spends $150,000 a year on supplies — in other cities because I cannot buy them here.”
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“Let’s get this rolling. A giant empty lot isn’t gaining the city anything. Put some businesses in there and get some revenue flowing. It’s a no-brainer.”
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“Let’s go ahead and just change the town’s name to ‘Santa Rosa Number 2.’ We’ve already lost the small-town charm of Petaluma. What the heck — build as many shopping centers as you want.”
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“I have nothing against OSH, since they cover 95 percent of my needs, but them changing locations would leave the town with the same dilemma: No place to purchase lumber. Friedman’s is my first choice since they are locally owned. The bigger issue is will the shopping center ever get approved and built?”
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“Honestly, I miss the Yard Birds/Home Depot. It was convenient for the east side and west side, and I’m not fond of OSH. Friedman’s would be the best option. They are local and Petaluma home-grown!”
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“How about some tax revenue for our city?”
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“Another store besides Friedman’s would be OK, too, so we can buy lumber etc. in town.”
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“Any one of the stores in the above question would be a welcome addition to the Petaluma scene.”
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“As a multi-generation Petaluman, I couldn’t be more frustrated with our City Council and Planning Commission. The city has grown and all the social engineering they are doing has bankrupted the city. Funny how the most ardent anti-growth council members and activists are ‘new’ residents of Petaluma.”
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“Doesn’t matter what we think, our City Council will do whatever they want.”
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“Friedman’s — If you build it, they will come.”
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“Any and all local stores, so I do not have to drive out of Petaluma.”
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“Home Depot would be great also. Not Orchard Supply, as they are limited on what they carry.”
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“I am very concerned about the impact to traffic on the adjacent surface streets. With the East Washington Street overpass completely impacted today, and impending Target center coming, bringing more traffic, we have very few options to travel around town. Future updates to the crosstown connector is unknown.”
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“I think the city should have a plan to increase revenues, other than traffic tickets, raising taxes and service fees to provide better infrastructure to the city.”
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“I’m tired of this do-nothing council hindering business in Petaluma. We want to shop here, but many times cannot because of the lack of selection in town.”
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“Home Depot is my first choice, next would be Friedman’s.”
“I have to drive to Rohnert Park for home inprovement stuff that is not available in town or the store has one and I need two. That’s another car on the road that didn’t have to be and tax dollars that should have stayed here. Same with Target. Just build them! We’re 60,000-plus people and have s–t for shopping.”
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“I think the city’s anti-development attitude is almost criminal. I will never support a new tax of any kind until they allow business development, which means more revenue for the city.”
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“It is time for the city to stop letting a fringe minority hold projects hostage. I am tired of spending my tax dollars in other municipalities. It needs to be built wisely, but it needs to be built!”
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“It would be cool if OSH moved from their current less-than-ideal location into Deer Creek. If not OSH, then Friedman’s. Much rather see a local company there than another chain.”
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“It would be helpful not to have to drive out of P-Town.”
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“I would also love to see a Marshall’s, TJ Maxx or Home Goods as part of this project.”
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“I would have preferred a Lowe’s. I think it is a better marketing fit for Petaluma. Friedman’s is a good second choice.”
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“I would like to see Planet Fitness, TJMaxx, Marshall’s, Home Goods and Dollar Tree in that center. And Spaghetti Factory!”
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“I would love for OSH to be able to relocated and have a bigger space so we could continue to shop with the ‘smaller’ guys and buy local!”
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“Just build it. We need it.”
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“Just do it! I’m tired of my weekly trips to Rohnert Park to buy anything. Get the Target center opened and get us a home improvement store ASAP.”
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“Lots of sales-tax dollars are leaving Petaluma since we do not have a lumber and other home improvement stuff not carried by OSH.”
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“Friedman’s supported the radical anti-development group in Santa Rosa, so bring on Home Depot. (Check the PD archives to fact-check — it’s there.)”
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“Lowe’s first choice, then Friedman’s.”
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“No chance that Glass, Barrett and Renée will allow this. It would create jobs and lower our impact on the environment by driving less, two things they are all against.”
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“Nothing. Plant it with trees and make it another public park or bird sanctuary.”

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