CVS to open this Sunday, Jan. 22 - What will you do? Support? Boycott? Protest?

[Barry]

The new CVS store in downtown Sebastopol is scheduled to open this Sunday.

Will you shop there or boycott it? Will you protest it?

I will not shop there, and I may well join a protest! Are there plans to protest yet?

How about you?? What will you do and why?

I won't shop there because CVS was "deceitful" in how they dealt with the city, as stated by former councilmemeber John Eder in a recent SonomaWest T&N article recounting the history of the project:

"The new store will be built, but we do not need to patronize it,” Eder said in April 2016. “CVS was deceitful in their dealings with the city during our settlement negotiations, and withheld critical documents until the day that we either needed to sign the settlement agreement or move forward with continued litigation.”

The article also states that "The settlement also required CVS to maintain a second story elevation," which was to allow for some future use. However, John Eder has told me that the second story is not usable as designed.

I also have a problem with CVS's business practices, however they have improved somewhat lately, including not selling tobacco and dropping out of ALEC.

I also would rather not see another major corporation in downtown Sebastopol and the corner of Hwy 12 and Hwy 116 is a uniquely bad place for a high traffic business.

[Beanie]

I will support.
I would also be interested to know if you shop at Whole Foods?

[John Eder]

I will be out in front of CVS protesting on Sunday- I encourage as many people who can make it to show up. Yes, it will be raining, but is this important to you? Homemade signs are best. It would be great to get a large contingent from the Plaza/Farmer's Market to march over there to express their opinion.

But Sunday is only Day One- a protracted campaign of protest presence is best. Show up when you can, for as long as you can.

Really important- reach out to all those that you know through social media, if you use it. Build momentum through connections.

Also, the parking lot is a public lot- park there, and take up the spaces nearest the building first.

More to follow. This protest relies on YOU. Show up and "demonstrate" your position on the new store.

Sebastopol's karma thanks you...

[jesswolfe]

I don't know if I will boycott CVS overall but its really unlikely I will make the trip to the new store. I often avoid driving thru town much of the time because its a lot of effort getting thru traffic. Getting into and out of the CVS is likely to be a nightmare. I really don't want to deal with it.

Their snarling of traffic during even construction was a bad omen of how awful its going to be dealing with traffic on that intersection.

Jessica

[Shepherd]

I read the Sonoma West story, trying to find out what time it opens, as I have some mid-morning things to do. Does anyone know what time CVS opens on Sunday?

I will be out in front of CVS protesting on Sunday- I encourage as many people who can make it to show up. ...

[musik900]

I would be very interested in being involved in a local protest. Is there something already organized?

CVS bullied our small town simply for profit. We quit the fight after spending $336,000 in legal fees trying to keep them from moving to our town center. They won because they have deep pockets, we don't. What a waste of money for our small town.

If we were to stage a minimum of six months of protesting with small groups of sign holders at their front door starting this Sunday, it might send a message to their corporate headquarters that it doesn't always work to bully small towns. Signs could let prospective shoppers know the facts regarding how Sebastopol was bullied, that we already have a national chain drug store a couple blocks away, that the store will increase traffic even more, and that our town needs affordable housing more than another national chain drug store.

It seems to me that that new building might be a great place for affordable housing. Why not convert it to something we actually need?

Anybody interested in standing at the building in shifts with signs? The more people the more likely that this kind of protest will be sustainable and effective to send the message to CVS headquarters. I'm in. Anyone able and willing to organize this? Not my forte, but I will definitely support it and help recruit others.

[Sara S]

I'll never go in there for all the reason you give, plus the fact that they're expensive! I posted this here in November:

When CVS first took over Long's, I went in there for one item; the price was more than TWICE what it was at Walmart, so I never went back. A friend said "But I thought they were cheap" which is the impression you might get from the "loss-leaders" in their ads (like most big stores).

AW

...Will you shop there or boycott it? Will you protest it?....

[Barry]

I will support.
I would also be interested to know if you shop at Whole Foods?

Good question, Beanie. My first choice of groceries stores in Sebastopol is Fircrest Market. They are locally owned (with one of the owners often working a check out line), their prices are generally the lowest, and their separate organic produce section is generally sufficient, if not excellent. Locally owned Community Market is my next choice. In addition to their excellent organic-only produce section they are open every night to 10pm.

I do confess to going to Whole Foods on occasion, mostly due to the convenience of their location. I hate how they mix their organic and conventional produce, and I still bristle at CEO John Mackey's opposition to Obamacare, besides being a non-local corporation. But still, as corporations go, I'd much rather support Whole Foods than CVS.

Regarding not supporting CVS, I would much rather support Rite-Aid, which is also downtown. Their downtown location doesn't create any traffic problems, they seem to generously tolerate people using their ample parking lot, they've done an excellent job of redesigning the interior, and they have awesome sales on liquor.

[musik900]

Yes, re-directing possible CVS customers to Rite Aid is another great idea for boycotting CVS and reminding our town members that it's OK to say "NO" to corporations that bully us.

If you never read about this, here's an example of a small company which eventually won out when a huge national chain tried to bully them. Ben & Jerry's ice cream was once a very small start up company. Their flavors were different and delicious, and when they started to get noticed beyond their small east coast arena, a huge ice cream mega giant forced large retailers NOT to carry Ben & Jerry's. B & J almost gave in, but decided to fight back. After a slow starting grass roots effort took place, the giant corporation bully eventually gave in. The rest is history. Yes, it's possible to make a difference and make things more fair, even with the threat from wealthy bullies. You can read that story if you look up the development of B & J.

[John Eder]

Commit to not spending any money at CVS- shop at the nearby alternatives listed below.

If your health plan requires purchasing your prescriptions at CVS, then withhold your purchases of general merchandise from them while there.

Pharmacy alternatives to CVS in Sebastopol and the West County:

1.) Rite Aid Pharmacy 218 N. Main Street Sebastopol (707) 829-3007
Store Hours: 8 am-9 pm Pharmacy: 9 am-9 pm (9 am-6 pm Sat/10 am-6 pm Sun)

2.) Safeway Pharmacy 406 N. Main Street Sebastopol (707) 823-1937
Store Hours: 24/7 Pharmacy: 9 am-8 pm (9 am-5 pm Sat/Sun)

3.) Forestville Pharmacy 6652 Front Street (Highway 116) Forestville (707) 887-2268
Store and Pharmacy Hours: 9 am-6:30 pm (M-F) Store Hours: 9 am-5 pm (Sat/Sun) Pharmacy Hours: 10 am-5 pm (Sat) Closed Sun (And they deliver to Sebastopol and the West County!) Local business.

4.) Lark Drug Pharmacy 16251 Main Street Guerneville (707) 869-9055

Store and Pharmacy Hours: 9 am-6:30 pm (M-F) Store Hours: 10 am-6 pm (Sat) 11 am-3 pm (Sun) Pharmacy Hours: 10 am-4 pm (Sat) Closed Sun Local business.

5.) Safeway Pharmacy 16405 Highway 116 Guerneville (707) 869-0613
Store Hours: 24/7 Pharmacy: 9 am-7 pm (9 am-5 pm Sat/Sun)

If you have existing prescriptions at CVS, move them to another pharmacy on this list and be sure to tell them why.

Remember, if at all possible, GO LOCAL. Keep your dollars in our communities.

[deepresto]

I will not shop in the new monstrosity CVS has put up, for reasons of bullying and traffic. Not to mention the folks at Rite Aid have always been nice.

[jesswolfe]

I don't go to Walmart, but Target and Costco are much cheaper than CVS as well.

Jessica

...When CVS first took over Long's, I went in there for one item; the price was more than TWICE what it was at Walmart, so I never went back. ...

[Sieglinde]

I plan on going out of curiosity. Then I will find out how easy or hard it is to get in and out of. Looks like I can go in and out of it the same way I go to the Feed Store. I will probably patronize it when also going to the feed store. Looks like parking has been added in walking distance from the Barlow and downtown which is a real plus.

[Sieglinde]

That parking will be used by folks using the Barlow and it is walking distance from downtown so that would be a very selfish protest. Forestville would be way out of my way to go to and many other people's way.

[John Eder]

The parking lot is a public lot (owned by CVS); it was a condition of approval- no different from, say, the City-owned lots next to Hopmonk or the Rialto. Do we reserve the spaces closest to Hopmonk or the Rialto for those consuming food or drink or watching a movie? Perhaps we should have a reserved row: "Viagra Purchaser Parking Only". First come, first served...

And the use of the term "selfish" is humorous, because, as you have seen, this entire project has been an exercise in altruism by CVS. Thanks for a good laugh...

Forestville Pharmacy delivers to Sebastopol (to your home) for <$5.00 per order, so no need to go out of your way- just pick up the phone.

Many of you West County residents that used to shop at the easily-accessed old CVS location in the Redwood Marketplace will now be driving by several pharmacies enroute to their new location. Do you really want to drive through downtown traffic on Main, past the Post Office to Fannen (where the VW repair shop is), turn left, go one block, wait for a break in traffic and then turn left again on Petaluma, crossing both lanes to access their Abbott Avenue entrance? By the time you did all of this, you likely could be talking to a pharmacist elsewhere. And, you will be one of the estimated (according to the CVS-commissioned traffic study) 2,200 new/additional car trips in Sebastopol's downtown. Wouldn't it be nice not to be part of the problem?

[John Eder]

Okay, rather than just take my word for it, here is the official language regarding the parking that is contained in the Conditions of Approval from the City of Sebastopol. This is Planning Condition P15, located on Page 11 of 22 of Resolution 5888 (copy attached):

"It is noted that the application allows members of the public unrestricted parking in all on-site spaces. The parking spaces cannot be leased or rented to third parties." (italics added by me)

[John Eder]

Having just visited the site, there are spaces reserved for disabled parking, clean air vehicle parking and electric charging station parking. That's it. No "Only for use while shopping at CVS" signs.

[rekarp]

I don't agree with your idea to park there close to the building. That will probably attract more people to shop there, as it will look like the place is popular.

...Also, the parking lot is a public lot- park there, and take up the spaces nearest the building first...

[vlondi]

I'll probably shop there quite often. I haven't seen anything to suggest that CVS has actually be deceitful or using unethical practices to get the store built. The only things I've read about it say that CVS has been trying to get that location built for years and some people of Sebastopol protesting it and opening litigation for no other reason than "I don't like CVS".

I'd go to Rite Aid if it weren't for the employees. They are nice enough but they are probably the slowest workers on Earth. It shouldn't take 10 minutes to simply pay for my cough drops or Bronkaid.

I don't even particularly like CVS, honestly. I don't dislike them, either, but I'll do whatever I can to spite backwards people who apparently have nothing better to do than protest stores, fluoridated water, and vaccines.

[sambacat]

I will boycott. For one thing (among many), the nighttime lighting is appalling. It's quite blinding driving by. The dozens of glaring fluorescent ceiling lights blast out into the night, totally destroying the ambiance of Screamin Mimi's and other low-key, but sufficiently lit, nearby businesses. The lights are overwhelmingly wasteful, unnecessary, possibly dangerous to drivers, and stupendously ugly. I have written the City Council to see if anything can be done to tone them down, put awnings outside to deflect the glare or.... something. It is truly heinous.

(I would protest, but will be turning tail on Saturday and driving down to Baja before The Wall gets built! Thanks to all who will be protesting.)

Oh, and I shop Fircrest first -- good local organic produce and up to 30% less on many of the same brands as WF carries (I compared receipts.)

[musik900]

You clearly know nothing of the history of CVS forcing their way in and bullying our city council. I guess you don't know that our city spent $336,000 to try and stop them from moving there. It's not that people don't simply like CVS. But many people don't like that a big corporation has bullied our small town...because it has deeper pockets than us. Doesn't that bother you in the slightest?

... I haven't seen anything to suggest that CVS has actually been deceitful or using unethical practices to get the store built. The only things I've read about it say that CVS has been trying to get that location built for years and some people of Sebastopol protesting it and opening litigation for no other reason than "I don't like CVS"....

[luke32]

Without being privy to the details of the CVS actions that John says are deceitful it is difficult to make a decision about boycotting.. I like to think that a government's (the City's) rules and review procedures are sufficiently clear and comprehensive to prevent "deceitful" evasions or shadings. If this is not the case they need to be changed. I have not heard any discussion, since the CVS episode, that suggests the City needs to clarify its Code and review procedures. A case in point is John's assertion that CVS did not live up to the requirement that it build a "usable" second story. Was this not spelled out by the City? Is CVS in violation of the permit issued by the City?

I'd like to ask John to comment on the following possible historic scenario:
The Pellinis sell the property to CVS. Some members of the City Council are unhappy because they see the possibility of a new development that will invigorate the downtown being lost to a mundane CVS. In fact the mayor actually publicly voices unhappiness with the Pellini family for selling to CVS. ("Keep on taking one for the City, Pellini family [i.e. keep on paying taxes and tying up your capital]. Mr or Ms Wonderful will come along some day, buy the property and build us all an exciting new downtown addition.")

The Council's pique at CVS takes the form of a moratorium directly aimed at CVS's drive-through prescription window (not to be conflated with the other drive-throughs in town. Some of the rationale is to prevent drive-through idling-car emissions that will add to those emissions occurring almost daily from stalled traffic between the central City and the Grange to the east, the fire station to the west, and nearly to the hospital to the south. But every little bit counts.

CVS gets angry, decides to be the bully and sues the City. A citizens' group also sues the City - over inadequate traffic studies You see, CVS will cause more traffic than some other type of urban development. After more than $350,000 of City resources spent on lawyers' fees (most for the CVS suit), all parties sign an agreement that allows the store to be built. But without a drive-through!!

Without more detail I think this new store NOW is better than something else ???? sometime ????? in the future.

[Sieglinde]

A big corporation who was the only one to bid on that eyesore that had been there for years. I appreciate the clean looking building and nice looking parking lot.

...It's not that people don't simply like CVS. But many people don't like that a big corporation has bullied our small town...because it has deeper pockets than us. Doesn't that bother you in the slightest?

[Sieglinde]

Obviously the city had never seen a drug store with a drive through. These are mainly used for picking up prescriptions. We had one where I used to live and it was very lightly used. It is great if a mother has a car full of sick kids and doesn't want to expose the world.

... After more than $350,000 of City resources spent on lawyers' fees (most for the CVS suit), all parties sign an agreement that allows the store to be built. But without a drive-through!!....

[SonomaPatientsCoop]

Hmm, I'm not going to shop there, but I don't shop at drug stores period. But I think the town of Sebastopol, and the city council, handled this poorly from the beginning and cost us a lot of money in the process.

As to CVS, please feel free to correct me if I am wrong but they are the first (and only?) national drug store to stop selling tobacco. They have also been at the forefront of allowing sale (where legal) of "the lazaurus drug" - Nalozone, which can save someone from an opoid overdose. These two things alone keep me from being able to easily brand them as "evil"...indeed...quite the opposite.

I'm sorry- but I don't think we or our government operated in good faith and tried illegal strong arm tactics. Never a good route...

[musik900]

CVS Grand opening this Sunday 1/22, at 10 am.

I don't think CVS is any more "evil" than any other corporation. But I think the person with the recent post is missing the point. CVS has had a decent location 6 blocks north on HWY 116. Our small town didn't need a 2nd drug store 2 blocks from Rite Aid. CVS moving to the center of town was not benefiting Sebastopol at all. Indeed, it's adding serious traffic to the center and helping change the look of our small town into something most of us don't want. CVS may be a "good" corporation because they don't sell tobacco, but you could have simply bought Nalozone at their old location. No need for CVS to move for that. I don't get why that person is blaming our city council for this issue. They might have handled the deal poorly, but the point is our citizens didn't want CVS there, so we fought it....but lost to a wealthy corporation who knew our legal budget was limited (unlike theirs). Now it's time to let the wealthy corporation know it's not ok to bully us.

Everyone, for CVS's grand opening this Sunday at 10 am, who will be there to protest? Please let folks

[vlondi]

Again, I'm going mostly by the link Barry provided with the more recent story reported. In it are details on how Sebastopol residents, not CVS, instigated most of the litigation. The only thing CVS sued on was the "urgent" drive-thru moratorium that was passed, which they have a really good point on.

I do know that the city spent a ridiculous amount of money to stop them. That's on the city, not CVS. For people who profess to not want government interfering with their lives they sure do like it when their local government interferes with their lives...for things that they want.

You clearly know nothing of the history of CVS forcing their way in and bullying our city council. ...

[jenielson]

I will not shop there. I went to a CVS yesterday for the first time in many years, and found that it mostly sells candy and other junk food, and liquor. The pharmacy part is minor.

[kane]

I will avoid CVS as much as possible, and have taken my business to Rite Aide for some time already.
Between the virtual absence of personnel to help one find something in the current store, to the "Diabetes Aisles" of candy leading to the Diabetes products, to the over-scale building, to the added traffic at our major traffic choke-point, to the sterile building, I don't need CVS.
Nice to know there's another EV charge spot in town though.

Over and Out
Kane

[SonomaPatientsCoop]

... But I think the person with the recent post is missing the point. CVS has had a decent location 6 blocks north on HWY 116.

I assume you are referring to my post? You claim CVS didn't need a 2nd location? They will be shuttering the other. Are you familiar with their former location? hidden away in a failing strip mall. I had to go there a few times a couple years ago to pick up prescriptions after a family tragedy. It was a ghost-town. IT would have closed regardless of a new store- leaving the equally crummy Rite-Aid a monopoly in town.

Sebastopol has changed massively in the past two decades. As has ever other town I've ever spent time. "progress". I'm not a fan of the CVS- wish it hadn't happened...and glad that at least Chase- one of the banks heavily involved in the financial collapse bailed.

But do you realize how many of our neighbors voted for Trump? Or didn't vote at all? We are SUPPOSED to be a community- not a town run by the "enlightended" hippies and alternatives. As much as our detractors love to call Sebastopol "communist" and "socialist" do you realize how little our town has to ffer the working class?