In recent years, a couple of national chains have expressed interest in opening at the Windmill Market shopping center off Highway 156 in San Juan Bautista. Shopping center owner Jim Gibson, though, hasn’t even bothered bringing the applicants before city council members for potential approval.
Not in historic San Juan Bautista, where feral chickens roam the streets and would take particular offense if KFC or El Pollo Loco moved in. More important, Gibson didn’t bother because San Juan for about a decade has maintained a ban against most new “formula” businesses – national chains such as McDonald’s, Starbucks or Subway.
A Subway franchisee was among the interests that wanted to open a chain business in the Windmill center, located directly off the highway.
“There wouldn’t have been any change to the building,” Gibson said of the Subway prospect. “They agreed to use our font instead of the Subway sign. It was a nightmare.”
The city, with supporters pointing to the importance of maintaining San Juan’s historic character, implemented the ban against formula businesses in late 2002 and has renewed the ordinance three times since then, most recently in 2007. The ordinance bans most chain merchants, with an exception for those fulfilling a need that is unmet by current businesses.
With the town’s tourist-based economy facing major financial problems, City Manager Roger Grimsley, who joined San Juan’s staff in July 2011, told the Free Lance he supports eliminating the ban. While the topic has been discussed informally among planning commissioners, he said, he expects council members to review the ordinance in the “next few months.”
Grimsley said chain businesses in other historic towns have shown they can adapt their practices so that their appearance and architecture blend in with the surrounding, historic atmosphere.
“My advice to them is that with any major franchise, you can make it compatible with the jurisdiction – with the site and architectural review,” Grimsley said.
Grimsley said removing the ban against larger chains is part of a broader effort to create a more business-friendly environment in the Mission City.
Rousing discussion about franchise-based operations certainly would stir debate among businesses and residents in the city – prideful of its 19th century character – with about 1,800 people.
Dona Esther Mexican Restaurant owner Al Castaneda said although he would not oppose removing the ban, he remains skeptical about there being enough customer traffic to support such chain businesses. Castaneda, who opened his Mexican restaurant nearly 32 years ago, mentioned that many of San Juan’s restaurants have closed in recent years.
“The business atmosphere in San Juan hasn’t been good for quite a few years,” he said.
He said local businesses have been hurt by the economy and cutbacks for nearby state parks.
“For (a chain business) to survive on the tourism we generate from the Mission, the downtown area, the locals, it would be very tough,” he said.
As for the local residents who would make any decisions on the ordinance, at least two council members declined to share their views on the matter – until it comes before them in an official capacity.
“We let them do their job,” Mayor Tony Boch said of the city staff, “and then we do ours.”
Councilwoman Jolene Cosio said the issue “sounds conversational.” She declined to comment “because it hasn’t been brought up and I wasn’t aware.”
Look back for more on this story.
