Posted by Boycott Piazzas, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Oct 19, 2012 at 8:45 am

So Piazzas is adding another 4K square feet to there store. That will surely push them over the 20K limit.

How did they get away with that? Why hasen't the Weeklylooked into it? Why are there no EIR and traffic studies for this large project??

It is also interesting because of this story in the Weekly

Web Link

the title of which is:

"Guest Opinion: Hold the line on 20,000-square-foot grocery stores"

and from it:

"Two years ago, JJ&F Market, Co-op and Piazza presented petitions to the city with thousands of customer signatures asking that the 20,000-square-foot standard be upheld. "

and

"If we grant an exception that will harm existing markets that are within the 20,000-square-foot cap (Piazza, JJ&F and Safeway), aren't we likely to end up with fewer choices rather than more? "

So I guess now, that it selfishly serves their needs, the 20K limit is no longer important and they do not care about harming other stores???

BTW--i think the op-ed was wrong and an attempt to advocate a restraint of competetion in Palo Alto, but that is another story.

Thepoint is that Piazza's is acting in a hypocritical manner now, enlarging their store beyond the limit.

Posted by Resident, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Oct 19, 2012 at 8:50 am

I have wondered about this myself. As a frequent shopper at Piazza's, I am very pleased at the news. Since they are probably going to be affected by the new Mikis, this is probably a competitive move on their part.

I have wondered if since they are calling it a specialist cheese shop rather than an extension, if this is how they are getting round the rules.

Posted by Elizabeth, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Oct 22, 2012 at 10:54 am

Will be fun to see Rocket Fizz in Palo Alto. The one in Campbell is a hoot!

Posted by shopper, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Oct 22, 2012 at 11:02 am

I'm all for bigger grocery stores with a wider selection of foods, but 4000 square feet dedicated to cheese? How about a wider variety of fresh fruits and vegetables? That is the area that Palo Alto grocery stores really suck at.

Posted by TimH, a resident of the Old Palo Alto neighborhood, on Oct 22, 2012 at 11:24 am

So, Rocket Fizz. Sounds fun, but (again) a national chain business gets the nod from Palo Alto. An informal count reveals 28 stores nationally and Palo Alto would be #29. Perhaps a numeric approach instead of actual names would suit the city council, as well. Council member 1, number 2, etc.

Posted by moi, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Oct 22, 2012 at 11:46 am

Just great.

Piazza's = more artery-clogging products from (often) abused animals.

RocketFizz = diabetes franchise.

Mayor Bloomberg, wrhere are you?

Posted by Smith, a resident of the Adobe-Meadows neighborhood, on Oct 22, 2012 at 12:07 pm

While I agree, Piazza employees shouldn't cut-the-cheese in small crowded areas, they really do carry, display, and sell vegetables far inferior to their competitors.

Posted by Remember When, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Oct 22, 2012 at 12:31 pm

Remember when Kikis was open several years ago downtown. A nostalgic candy store. I hope that this store fares better. But as a mom with younger children - who needs more sweets?

Posted by MN, a resident of another community, on Oct 23, 2012 at 4:45 pm

So glad to hear about the new restaurant! Robaii always had the BEST falafel and I have been missing it since they closed. Hope they are serving it in the new place.