sorry to see it go wrote on Nov 23, 2008 7:13 PM:Mervyns USED to be a great store to shop at. In the last 5 or so years it turned into a dump. Its too bad.

Esther wrote on Nov 23, 2008 9:21 PM:Bet the city is re-thinking their decision against In-N-Out's sign years ago!!!!!!

Floyd wrote on Nov 23, 2008 9:42 PM:To attact business you need to reduce the regulatory burden and reduce the fees and taxes charged. Eliminating the planning department would be a step in the right direction.

Juan Jhon wrote on Nov 23, 2008 9:54 PM:Let's blame it on the illegals maybe Sam Abed can take us out of this one!! LOL...

Otto wrote on Nov 23, 2008 10:04 PM:I feel like the court jester in commenting on these stories as the 'reality' of things is so often 'overlooked' - apparently in the effort to provide the story more than to provide an education. And I understand that. Anyway...

While they may SEEM necessary (and I agree they mostly are in OTHER scenarios), commercial RE brokers would be an atrociously 'poor choice' for 'help' if the underlying motive is to 'HELP' the city bring in some sturdy, brand name tenants. If you're not familiar with them, commercial brokers and agents are on the lookout for ONE AND ONLY ONE PERSON - said broker/agent. And that's just good advice to any naive city employees unfamiliar with such - not as a cut - it's a 'reality bites' moment. If they are used, a TIGHT rein would be an absolute necessity.

As for an In-N-Out Burger in Escondido...HA! They wouldn't locate in Escondido if you GAVE THEM THE LAND. More-righteous-than-everyone-else Escondido had its chance a number of years ago and they not only blew it, they CRUSHED it. Chewed it up and spit it out. Makes me laugh out loud now that it's still being contemplated. Wow!

Scooter wrote on Nov 23, 2008 10:06 PM:Bring in some quality!!! No more taco shops, .99 Stores, car window tinting/car stereo/bling-bling car shops. No more check cashing outfits, Cali-Mex type car lots, and tattoo parlors, etc.

How 'bout some quality restaurants, home goods and a Stater Bros. Bring up the quality level so we don't need to go out of Escondido to shop.

Vader wrote on Nov 23, 2008 10:35 PM:Wait, I thought part of the budget cuts included eliminating the Economic Development Division of the City? I am lost.

UNBELIEVABLE wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:21 AM:UNBELIEVABLE!!!

WHAT A BUNCH OF WANNA-BE'S AT CITY HALL!!!

IN ONE BREATH THEY ARE PROPOSING TO ELIMINATE - THAT'S ELIMINATE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT @ CITY HALL....

AND IN THE NEXT BREATH THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT RAMPING UP ECONOMIC EFFORTS!!!

SAVE US NOW!!! PLEASE SOMEONE SAVE US FROM THESE SO-CALLED "LEADERS"!!

HELP!!

Mouth is Moving wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:26 AM:Abed's mouth is moving again!

Four years later he is still TALKING about "diversifying" employment opportunities.

Talk, Talk, Talk.

I notice how these current council members are "borrowing" the ideas of other people in our community.

Abed - he is a talker - just like all his talk about the "city being more prosperous". That's proven to be false!!!

And here we sit with a $6million dollar deficit!

Talk, talk, talk. Where's is the CONSTRUCTIVE action - (no not "construction", constructive!).

Eric wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:55 AM:Try modeling a "Gaslamp" environment in Escondido, bringing in restaurants and venues bringing in entertainment like quarterly street fairs and music events into Escondido.
Increasing Sprinter operating times past 9pm as a reliable transportation in and out of the city also.

doesnt matter wrote on Nov 24, 2008 2:18 AM:wow look what these "city counsils" did to our city and yet they dont even realize its thier fault

thanks for the check points wrote on Nov 24, 2008 2:28 AM:we're making everybody so uncomfortable in Escondido that we'll be losing a lot more of Eall over Escondido.

Mariha wrote on Nov 24, 2008 5:24 AM:Yes, Mervyn's USED to be a great value; I got nearly all my wardrobe from there. Now the once all-cotton clothing had become ugly and uncomfortable nylon and polyester. Any new business that moves in must keep up the quality--raise prices if n necessary, but keep up the quality.

To Floyd wrote on Nov 24, 2008 6:53 AM:I agree. The employees in the Planning Department are inept.

I agree wrote on Nov 24, 2008 7:00 AM:Mervyns turned to the latino look and lost my business. It was tacky tasteless clothes. It was always messy. Price does mean quality! Those clothes last longer as well.

Billy wrote on Nov 24, 2008 7:15 AM:That's it - now you are talking. Being proactive will bring some of them big companies in that ain't doing well elsewhere. Perhaps a sign up on I-15 that says, Escondido - the PROACTIVE CITY! That will bring them in. Maybe some of the council can come up with some probuzz words that will attract some not-so-big businesses that are just starting up, but have a lot of potential. Hey! Make that propotential!
Here are some ideas: The state of KY would, and still might, lease a company property for 99 years, no property tax, no state tax for ten years, if they would relocate there company on said property. Oops, can't do that - the idea is to attract big companies that will be paying big taxes - now. The people of KY were looking to the future.
Here's another: The state of VA, in order to attract businesses into their more depressed cities put up signs along I-81 stating, THIS IS AN IMPROVED BUSINESS CITY, or something along that order. IMPROVED BUSINESS CITIES was the name of the state project. When a company contacted them they were told, we will make any improvement needed in the utilities, roads, and even ordinances if they would move their company there and remain for a certain period of time. Of course there were other attractive points that a company on the move would not turn down, and the idea was to put thier people to work, and perhaps attract tax payers.
Perhaps on the sign you could put, WE HAVE MORE THAN OUR SHARE OF ILLEGALS.
That should be enough to get you started. Remember, these are just ideas to get you thinking. Come up with some more of them buzzwords that will make you feel good about yourselves, and give you a good warm feeling in your tummy, while creating the illusion of efficiency.

Resident wrote on Nov 24, 2008 7:35 AM:First of all the coucil needs to get out of the parking permit business and start promoting Escondido in a more positive light. Escondido is a great community that has been downgraded by the constant negative critism of Waldron, Abed and Gallo. Escondido needs to have a focal point for downtown shopping rather than sending Old Navy type stores to another strip mall. Recruit a couple of stores downtown like Crate and Barrel and Urban Outfitters rather than recruiting for auto parkway. Escondido would do better in recruiting Costco in town rather than another used car lot and stop with the whole Marriott hotel fiasco.

Karl wrote on Nov 24, 2008 7:50 AM:The City Council has nothing to do with the businesses closing. Get real complainers.

Peace

n6ma7

wierd wrote on Nov 24, 2008 7:57 AM:They eliminate the Economic Development Department and then this article comes out? How are city officials going to do this? There's more to Economic Development than meeting with important people in big offices. You have to follow through with things. This is a lot of smoke and mirrors....

TO MARIHA wrote on Nov 24, 2008 8:00 AM:I have owned and operated a retail business for 40 years. We have allways sold high quality products. I am sorry to say, if you want to make money ,sell junk, big box stores know this and so do manufactures. Hundreds of top quality products are no longer avaliable. I am sorry to say this but thats the way it is.

Hey City council wrote on Nov 24, 2008 8:05 AM:If you want my shopping dollars Bring in GTM Discount Stores or Grocery Outlet and Costco. We love shopping their stores outside Escondido.

Groucho wrote on Nov 24, 2008 8:13 AM:As long as the population in Escondido is 70%+ Latino there's not going to be any worthwhile company or restaurant moving here. The old Mervyns store should become just another 99 cent store or maybe a thrift store. Or how about it becoming a Mexican grocery store. Otherwise, it'll probably stay empty for years. Remember how long the old Montgomery Ward store stayed empty until they finally tore it down and put in the theater? I think it sat there for 2 or 3 years.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPER wrote on Nov 24, 2008 8:48 AM:Escondido needs to recruit attract a top flight economic development guru, a visionary and pragmatist who can kick butt of foot dragging bureaucrats. Escondido needs to redefine itself, declare the entire central core between the old hospital and the new hospital, from 78 south to Valley a blighted and unified core incentivized zone for redevelopment.

Al wrote on Nov 24, 2008 9:11 AM:I will miss Mervyn's. I shopped there for years. It was better quality than Wal-Mart.

k wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:24 AM:I don't care what anyone says... I'm sad to see mervyns go. They sold more then just clothes... I would buy alot of things for my home there. They may not have had the biggest selection but were inexpensive. Maybe the government should think about bailing out these stores that are going out of business and not these losers of these big companies who are only thinking about one thing... padding thier own pockets.

NOT ME wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:41 AM:I do not shop Escondido.
It's not safe.
Cheaply made goods.
Dirty stores and parking lots.
Even the grocery stores cater to Latino's.Whatever happened to american food stuffs?
I dislike being in a store and seeing people stopped in the aisles talking on their cell phones.They won't move.You cannot get around them because they have 6 children with them who are all complaining.I've seen soiled diapers left on the floors.People putting toys in the strollers with children and not paying for them.No store employees seem able to help you find anything.I don't like feeling like I am shopping a third world trade market.
I go outside Escondido and enjoy my shopping trips.I may pay more for it but it's worth it.I won't miss any of those stores in Escondido.

Cotton Ballz wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:48 AM:"brainstorming session"

ooooOOOOOHHHHhhhh man !
It hurts my head just thinking of the current City Council,Grimm & Staff brainstorming....
ooooooOOOOOOOuuuccccHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Sorry folks, just cannot wrap my head around that scenario.

Realist wrote on Nov 24, 2008 11:03 AM:If the city council wants to improve the city and attract more businesses, they need to drastically improve the schools. When the schools are top notch, not just a little better, middle and upper income people will move here, and business will follow just look a Ranch Bernardo or Poway. Escondido is doing what the US automakers have been doing for years, not trying to be the best like Lexus or BMW, but always trying to be a little better than they were before. I think Escondido is on the right track, but the city is thinking way to small, more retail is not going to save Escondido. We to think how can we steal companies for Carlsbad, and how we can get people from Rancho Bernardo to move to Escondido because the schools are better.

Gaslampish wrote on Nov 24, 2008 11:42 AM:Council....Listen up! Here is what the you need to do.
#1- Get the folks who revitalized Gaslamp in the 90's to come to Escondido to make downtown a Gaslamp type of environment.
#2 Allow more ABC licenses. That means you need to approve more ABC licenses so restaurants, night clubs and bars can open an operate. If people have good resturants to eat and drink they will come. (Take a look at VINZ and o'Sullivans. Multiply that)
People want to go out on the weekend, spend their money on food and alcohol get tipsy, forget their weekly worries and have fun. See quality entertainment and go home and do it again the next weekend.
#3) Buy out all the low budget hotels and ghetto businesses along Centre City bulldoze them and build quality loft style homes for working commuters.
I want to go to work, walk to dinner and entertainment and walk home. I am tired of cab rides downtown.
*Not responsible for typos and grammer and punctuation errors*

huh wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:41 PM:Idea is good but the whole idea of out of state companies wanting to move into California? With places that are so close and little to no red tape... What do you think....

To Cotton Ballz wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:47 PM:There were actually two sessions and they were both open to the public. You couldn't be bothered to attend and share your brilliant solutions with your city's government, so they just had to do the best they could without you.

Man Club wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:57 PM:It's not up to the city to "bring" us anything. It's up to consumers and businesses.

Get real realist wrote on Nov 24, 2008 1:01 PM:First of all, bloggers here continue to lay all the problems of the economy, local and elsewhere, at the City's Council's feet, coming to all sorts of conclusions, based in lack of facts. The council, bless their good intentions, are not the ones to "drastically improve the schools" that's what the city's three elected school boards are there to do. On that topic, the schools that have the same student demographics as Rancho Bernardo and Carlsbad perform as well as those in those two communities. Look the school site scores on on their respective websites. It's this city's high number of English learners who impact school scores. Not saying this to denigrate such students; it's just an empirical fact -- that is, something that is subject to being confirmed by observation. Escondido has never been RB or Carlsbad or Poway -- it is what it is -- an older, more middle class community of working people, immigrants and upper middle class people. Frankly, it's more the model of a traditional American city than the master-planned, "soul-less" communities that harbor the Stepford Wives kinds of residents. With all its warts, Escondido is more vibrant and realistically populated that other cities. The Council and other leaders need to work with what we have to make the city better for everybody who lives here, regardless of demographics and income. I'm pretty optimistic they're in position to do just that.

Dont Forget wrote on Nov 24, 2008 1:05 PM:Don't forget the only way we can really affect change is to make sure the council knows how we feel.

Citizens will start to rally today! Meet at city hall at 3pm and rally with other residents against the city's proposed budget cuts (like to our police and fire - and laying off city staff and closing every Friday) and we will rally against the city's willingness to cut services to the people, just so they can build a spectacular hotel.

Say Yes to the People & No to the Hotel.

Today - Monday - 3pm @ city hall under the Flag pole!

blame it on the illegals wrote on Nov 24, 2008 1:28 PM:every single issue in escondido is somehow always blamed not just on illegals, but on latinos in general. i am not speaking for all of escondido, but for most of it.

instead of doing your shopping outside of esco, you should just leave completely. your racism disgusts me and makes me ashamed to live here.

Karl wrote on Nov 24, 2008 1:48 PM:NOT ME
[-] wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:41 AM:

Obviuosly you have not tried either Vons on the north side of the City. Thanks for taking your tax dollars to other cities. Why not move the whole kit and kaboodle if you are that displeased?

I swear posters like you have got to be illegal alien supporters trying to fan the flames by calling all Latinos a problem. Not the case and you know it.

Peace

As a former patron. . . wrote on Nov 24, 2008 1:49 PM:I used to shop at Mervyn's until they started pandering to the illegal aliens. Right around the time they started making announcements in Espanol, the store became messy and the quality of the merchandise hit bottom. I felt like a stranger in a third-world country. Sadly, I think Kohl's is headed in the same direction. You have to keep up appearances, employee English-speakers, and sell quality goods to compete. I don't mind paying a few dollars more to shop in such conditions.

To Bad Mervyns wrote on Nov 24, 2008 2:21 PM:We used to shop there but stopped a couple years ago. The place was such a mess, especially the shoe section, you couldn't find anything. I sent them an email and they sent me a thank you and a 10% off coupon. I just wanted them to clean up the store.

To Dont Forget wrote on Nov 24, 2008 3:08 PM:You named almost everything they can cut. If they don't cut these they will never make their budget. They don't need 8 cops to pull over a traffic violation. They don't need all the fireman sitting around shining their fire trucks. They don't need all the staff for sure. Say no to the hotel but that doesn't get all the money they need. ...

If the shoe fits wrote on Nov 24, 2008 3:18 PM:To bad mervyns @ 2:21
You're right , the place was always a mess. And the shoe department was the worst. To "blame it on the illegals" well, as the saying goes, if the shoe fits....problem is at Mervyns you could never find one to try on. The place became a dump.

Escondido Resident wrote on Nov 24, 2008 3:25 PM:It's not just the large anchor tenants named in the article that have vacated Escondido. In the past several years, we've lost many tenants at North County Fair and they have never been replaced. One Robinsons-May sits completely vacant, and the other is leased by junk stores. The banks and restaurants on the business-loop side of the mall have been vacant for years (the banks both left about 18 years ago and the empty buildings have fallen into disrepair).

Escondido DOES need to get some better tenants -- quality stores that appeal to a large segment of our populations. How about a Crate & Barrel, a Z Gallerie, a Sam's Club (the old Albertson's property on Mission across from Loewe's would be great for that), etc.

It's going to be tough recruiting in this economy, but with the I-15 HOV lanes ending at Centre City Parkway, this is our opportunity to grow into the city we know we can become. Come on city officials -- let's work to become a progressive, prosperous city.

escondido resident II wrote on Nov 24, 2008 3:53 PM:have anyone in the City council or the very well paid city staff thought of catering to another segment of the population? Many of us go to shop somewhere else for quality merchandise. As another person pointed out this is not an issue of racism but an issue that as a merchant you cater to the people that would potentially purchase your items. has anyone in the council or their advisors thought on becoming "the city of choice for health professions"? or "the city of choice for college young adults"?. with the opening of the PPH East and the accesible programs at Palomar, Mira Costa or San Diego Community Colleges the city could cater to young professionals, new graduates, etc.... Learn from other cities in the US. there are cities that are known for the colleges more than for the checkpoints, ban against illegal alliens renting, gangs growing by leaps and bounds, schools in Program Improvement, graffitti everywhere. We have great outdoor venues, easy access to the freeway, shouldn't we use this?

to not me wrote on Nov 24, 2008 4:04 PM:You give people a bad name. I am a white female and can not believe that someone could make such judgemental comments. There is good and bad in every race. You can not judge someone by the color of there skin. I hope no one judges your race by you because it would not be good.

Focus People wrote on Nov 24, 2008 8:48 PM:Focus People!

The story is about the city wanting to "ramp up" their business recruiting/economic opportunites.

And in order for the City to accomplish this effort is to:

ELIMINATE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT @ CITY HALL.

This...ladies and gentlemen is "Our City Council". Our council...cutting off their noses in spite of their faces!

Let the council know how backwards they are in their planning! This is just another punch line for some comedian out there! I think Jay Leno would deliver it well. :-)

Mac wrote on Nov 24, 2008 10:57 PM:Everyone knows IN AND OUT has the best burgers!!! Bring IN AND OUT around about!

KeepItInEscondido wrote on Nov 24, 2008 11:04 PM:Retail in Escondido has gone down in the last 10 years or more. The city council needs to try to recruit store that the residents go outside the city to shop. Everyone goes to Costco/Sam's Club. By doing so we are increasing the economy of San Marcos even though we live in Escondido. The Wal Mart in San Marcos takes away more income. Escondido needs store in the center of the city that are like Wal Mart or Costco. I don't know what the point is of fighting Wal Mart in E Valley, but all that bickering was income lost. Now the old Ralph's is a grocery store that only attracts less than 1/2 of the residents of Escondido. It is was a good place for a Wal Mart.

The old Albertson's center on Mission also needs a revamping. Get rid of the Swap Meet and build a shopping center that will bring in income.

To to not me wrote on Nov 25, 2008 3:22 AM:If the shoe fits ( if you can find it!) I'm not proud; I shop at Ross. It couldn't be more obvious how the change in demographics has changed Escondido. Who chooses to shop where the store is trashed? To say more would be politically incorrect and my post would be censored. Read between the lines.

buisness is booming wrote on Nov 25, 2008 5:54 AM:If you own a taco shop. make about 10,000 a day cash report about 12,000 a year. send the rest to mexico.

So Much for Free Enterprise wrote on Nov 25, 2008 6:23 AM:I thought that in a captialist system things would take care of themselves? Now we have a socialist council trying to stop certain businesses from coming to town. What next, some kind of goverment bailout of high end businesses?

Cotton Ballz wrote on Nov 25, 2008 10:11 AM:you said,
To Cotton Ballz
[-] wrote on Nov 24, 2008 12:47 PM:There were actually two sessions and they were both open to the public. You couldn't be bothered to attend and share your brilliant solutions with your city's government, so they just had to do the best they could without you
--------------------------------------
You are wrong. I have seen Grimm ,I've talked to him too.I've heard the double talk.YOU get nowhere with him.I've seen the "best" this city government can do...look around you.
I'VE given my SOLUTION many times right here on these boards....throw them all out and start fresh with people that have credentials,education & experience.
VERIFY their backgrounds.
STOP the nepotism ,end the bs!
EMPLOYE PROFESSIONALS !

C.Ballz
GAGmember

Floyd wrote on Nov 25, 2008 10:12 AM:Why are we having a difficult time attracting business to Escondido? Here's one minor factoid to ponder: the Rally's drive-through message board says "Dayli Specials".

EPiC wrote on Nov 25, 2008 10:26 AM:If Escondido wants to get their economy going again, they need to forget about the fancy restaurants and upscale shopping for now. Target 16-21 year olds who somehow 'think' they have disposable income. Get a bowling alley in here again, get Boomers back, etc. Put them in a 'nicer' area of Escondido.

jerrylen wrote on Nov 25, 2008 12:52 PM:Escondido is LEADERLESS. The Code Enforcement Dept is grossly incompetent/corrupt. The police now REFUSE to investigate crimes/interview witnesses etc., & their stooges like ABED claim "crime is down 30%".We have incompetents running the city & "scam artists" running the police & Code Enforcement Depts. Give them FREE cars/gas, fabulous pensions etc., & wonder why you're going broke. Any grammar school kid can tell you what's wrong in Escondido. Your last chance may be in Nov 2010.

jerrylen wrote on Nov 25, 2008 1:07 PM:Charlie Grimm uses buzzwords/phrases like "need to get creative", need to be extremely productive" etc. Where's he been the past couple yrs while Escondido goes down the drain? Why, collecting his almost $200K yr from us & taking it back to his home on the coast. He's also in charge of the grossly incompetent/corrupt Code Enforcement Dept, as well as Planning Director etc. Lots of titles/LITTLE accomplishments; Unless, you consider the last TWO people he hired in as Code Enforcement "MANAGERS", both with ZERO experience accomplishments. Kind of makes us wonder how many relatives, friends etc. work at city hall.

We want wrote on Nov 25, 2008 1:16 PM:strip clubs, it would offer ladies a job and police raids that could increase the city revenue.

To Floyd wrote on Nov 26, 2008 4:40 PM:And the person who speaks to you from the drive through says....kdjlgj dslkgjeiorgm sdfgedljg dngdng dnfgdgjnd?

It's bad enough the food is junk, but you aren't even sure you'll get what you ordered! lol

NO WALMART wrote on Nov 27, 2008 7:54 AM:Please don't ruin what is left of our city by bringing in a Walmart. People can drive 2 minutes to the one in San Marcos. I realize it is all about money, but that is your own fault (Abed and Waldron) for all the negativity. The same people who would shop at Walmart are all the people you kicked out!
We need more high end businesses, yes the Mac store is GREAT.
We also need to get rid of the Design Review Board or put people on it who are actually qualified. We lost SO MANY big projects downtown because these petty people didn't like the colors on the would be properties or the placement of the dumpster. I talked to architects who would never deal in Escondido again because of this poorly run board of volunteers who think they are gods gift to "design".

Partners with the Indians wrote on Nov 27, 2008 8:04 AM:It is time to start thinking outside the box but this will not happen as long as the same old players are behind the scenes in Escondido. Every once in a while the players on the council may change but the same old elititist and church club members are still pulling the strings in Escondido. It is a dirty little secret that the powers behind the scenes are from one particular church. It has been this way since the 40s and 50s when this church came to Escondio. No one wants to ask but if you lined up all the little people and their clubs, it would lead to one denomination with a number of churches scattered around Escondido. They are losing power as the old guard dies off but don't be surprised if their children try to continue this dogma and control over the politics in Escondido.

College Student wrote on Dec 1, 2008 9:44 PM:I agree, why don't you make it a city that attracts recently graduated college students. I hope that years in school will have released us from prejudices and racism. By the way, I agree with Get Real Realist...I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post. Escondido is a great city, it has "soul", it has culture, and it has history.
Create more of a night life on Grand Avenue, perhaps making it similar to 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. I know that is far fetched, but I can dream.
Why not bring in Green-collar jobs into the city? Green industries? Come on Escondido, don't sit back and watch other cities be leaders on sustainability issues. No more big boxes that are eye sores. If people knew the REALITY of Wal-Mart stores, I do not know if they would support them as much.