Question 1

Where will the Grocery Outlet in Sebastopol be located?

Accepted Answer

Grocery Outlet’s Sebastopol location is proposed at 218 N. Main Street in downtown Sebastopol, across Main Street from Whole Foods Market.

Question 2

What is Grocery Outlet’s business structure?

Accepted Answer

The Grocery Outlet brand is uniform throughout all locations, but each store location is operated independently, part of Grocery Outlet’s independent operator model. Independent operators own their store business which includes hiring their own staff, curating the product they sell to their local community, and choosing local community driven projects and charities to support through Grocery Outlet’s annual independence from hunger campaign.

Question 3

Does Sebastopol’s Formula Business Ordinance allow for a Grocery Outlet?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Though the Grocery Outlet store is within the geographical downtown area that restricts formula businesses, the formula business prohibition is limited to formula motels and hotels, formula restaurants, and formula offices on the first floor of a structure. The proposed Sebastopol location is outside of those parameters and will also be operated independently by local Sonoma County residents, though as a formula grocery store, Grocery Outlet will still need to obtain a use permit from the City of Sebastopol to open.

Question 4

Where are the Grocery Outlet locations closest to Sebastopol currently?

Accepted Answer

There are three Grocery Outlets within 15 miles of the proposed Sebastopol store located in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, and Windsor. Though all stores are within 15 miles of the proposed Sebastopol location, it is at least a 15-20 minute drive by car to the nearest store, which can become much longer for those who cannot drive or rely on public transportation.

Question 5

Will Grocery Outlet make it harder for neighboring grocery stores to survive?

Accepted Answer

Grocery Outlet operates several stores in communities where there are other grocery stores very close to Grocery Outlet locations; for example, in the Town of Truckee, another small-town Northern California community, Grocery Outlet operates across from a national grocer and a block away from a local grocery store. Closer to home, Grocery Outlet in Santa Rosa operates a short distance from a national grocer, and in Rohnert Park, Grocery Outlet is across the street from two national grocers. In these communities and many others, these stores have successfully co-existed and all stores appear to be successful.

Question 6

Will there be any traffic statistics or analysis?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A reputable local traffic engineering company recently completed a draft traffic study, comparing the former Rite Aid store and proposed Grocery Outlet store at 218 N. Main Street in Sebastopol to show historic and projected traffic volumes should Grocery Outlet open on N. Main Street. The study concluded there will be 252 net new trips to the proposed store each day, though all traffic-related impacts are expected to be less-than-significant.

Question 7

Is there adequate parking at the proposed site to accommodate a future Grocery Outlet in Sebastopol?

Accepted Answer

The privately-owned parking lot at 218 N. Main Street has 63 vehicle parking spaces, which exceeds the 55 vehicle parking spaces required by the City of Sebastopol. Though it is a privately-owned parking lot with no requirement to provide any public parking, since Rite Aid’s closure, the property owner has generously allowed the public to use the lot as overflow parking for downtown visits and community events such as Sunday farmers markets – at no cost to the city or the public. 
 
A future Grocery Outlet will prioritize parking for grocery store customers, but Grocery Outlet will consider public parking needs downtown, with a goal of avoiding enforcement actions for those who use the lot but do not visit the future store. As part of a recently-completed draft traffic study, it is also recommended that 11 bike parking spaces be added to the property as part of future site improvements for those who wish to visit the store by bicycle. Grocery Outlet has also heard from some locals noting the proposed store is within walking distance to their homes, so it is Grocery Outlet’s hope that some future shoppers will walk to the store, freeing up parking for those who need it.

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