Developer offers to buy hardware store Developer offers to buy hardware store (October 17, 2003)

Measure C differences fuel the unusual offer

by Don Kazak

In a sarcastic letter to hardware store owner Larry Hassett, Doug Ross has introduced a new episode in the 800 High St. soap opera by offering to buy Hassett's store.

The two diametrically opposed men are at odds over Ross' proposed 800 High St. project, a 61-unit condo project with affordable housing and an underground parking garage on the November ballot. Hassett, who has threatened to sell his hardware store if 800 High St. is built, believes it is too large for the site and defies city zoning.

Ross' offer comes just days after Hassett refused to sell a barbecue part to one of Ross' campaign managers and drives at the heart of how emotionally charged the battle over the future of the old Peninsula Creamery site has become.

"I see enormous potential for a hardware store at your location both in the short term and once 800 High St. is built. If you are serious about your desire not to run the store should 800 High St. be approved, I would like to buy the franchise from you ...," Ross wrote in a letter to Hassett that was also sent to area newspapers.

"I think it is totally inappropriate," Hassett said. "It's done for political reasons, otherwise he wouldn't have sent it (the letter with the offer) to every newspaper in town."

Hassett said Ross's offer "takes attention away from the issues" in the Measure C debate. "It's more about politics than any business decision," he added.

Don Kazak can e-mailed at dkazak@paweekly.com