An electronics and computer equipment store is the most popular choice for a replacement for Mervyns in the Washington Square Shopping Center, closely followed by a department store and general merchandise store, according to respondents to a Dec. 4, 2008 Argus-Courier online poll.
The clothing and department store chain announced in October it will be closing all of it stores at the end of the year.
Here are some of the comments left by those who responded to the survey:
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“I would like to see a locally owned business selling locally produced goods. I love Mervyns, yet much of what is sold there is not made in this country.”
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“Fill in this large space with a successful merchant and work out what should be on the Kenilworth site before even considering what should be at the DSL site (across from the hospital on North McDowell Boulevard.)”
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“The Kenilworth site isn’t going to be developed for years, if ever. Put an electronics store there and we’ll be good.”
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“Anything that will prevent me from having to drive to Santa Rosa to shop would be great!”
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“We need more clothing stores.”
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“I would like to see Mervyns replaced by, well, Mervyns. There’s a need for that type of store, as well as a clothing store. Right now, all there is that’s comparable is Kohl’s. We need more than one choice, but if it’s not to be, then I want a clothing store.”
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“We need a better space for the kids for after-school activities and after-care.”

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“We do not need any more grocery stores or home improvement stores in this town.”
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“A BevMo (Beverages & More) would be so nice to have!”
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“OK, maybe a mini-Fry’s Electronics is a better idea than a nuclear fallout shelter.”
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These are the responses left by those who answered “Other” to the question.
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“Wal-Mart.”
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“Subdivide it into teen and elementary after-school space.”
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“Target.”
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“I was thinking a nuclear fallout shelter would be nice, but how do you fit in all 55,000 Petalumans in it?”
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“J.C. Penney or Target.”
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“Kmart.”