First off, I apologize if I am sending this to the wrong place, I didn't know where I needed to send it.
My name is Jeffrey and am the owner of Octopus Japanese Restaurant. I was at the public hearing last night regarding the New Guild
project to voice my concerns with fellow neighboring businesses but do not feel that our concerns were addressed at all.
Although I am supportive of the project and do believe that it will be a very good addition to the community, I believe my
concerns, and those concerns of neighboring businesses, are legit and wish I had better support for the small businesses. The
applicant mentioned that he has come by to talk to us but I have no memory of having any conversation with anybody about the
project.
I am a new business trying to establish our name and am concerned very much about the major impact I know that this construction
will have on my business and neighboring businesses. As I mentioned at the hearing, I am competing with 4-5 other Japanese
Restaurants within walking distance. Many people will state over and over that once this is built and finished, it will help out
nearby businesses which I agree with 100% but that is assuming that my business makes it out of the construction phase.
I hate to be that guy but my family depends on this restaurant. We put in our life savings, personal loans on top of personal
loans, credit card on top of credit card with my mother also battling stage 4 cancer. I am genuinely concerned of the impact this
project will have, because for my family, it is 100% a life and death situation.
They also touched on parking and how, because the events will be later in the night that it won't affect us, but even today, with
the Guild currently not at full capacity, we are constantly having to ask them to move cars or get towed. I try my best to give
fair warning ahead before we start towing but I really hate to be that guy.
They mentioned that events will be held around 7PM and that there will be ample parking nearby but clients will most likely come
well ahead of that time which is peak rush time for us and park in the closest lot they see, which is ours and Menlo Floorings. In
the case that we have clients come in to eat at 5:30PM and park while waiting for the 7PM event, what do we do for clients that
come to us after. I don't think it's fair to have them park for an extended amount of time, especially on the weekends, especially
when we are the busiest.
I'm not sure if anything can be done, this is just my effort of trying to be heard. Like I mentioned earlier, I am very supportive
of the project but do have my concerns as it does affect our livelihood.
I apologize for such a long e-mail and I thank you for hearing me out. Please feel free to reach me at 408-540-9585 if anything is
needed
-Jeffrey Son
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Octopus Japanese Restaurant925 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025650-600-8794 | www.octopusjapanese.com
[http://www.octopusjapanese.com]
