Hamilton Marketplace developer lands 3 restaurants

My prediction, Sonoma Latina Grill will last 11 months max, the Bakery will last a little longer, but will not be able to compete with the Safeway bakery. The Diner will last 24 months before going belly up. Novato is where restraunts go to die, Novato could not support an Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Cattlemans, or a California Diner.

Leticia wrote:

My prediction, Sonoma Latina Grill will last 11 months max, the Bakery will last a little longer, but will not be able to compete with the Safeway bakery. The Diner will last 24 months before going belly up. Novato is where restraunts go to die, Novato could not support an Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Cattlemans, or a California Diner.

You mention four losers that don't fit in any community.

Toast Cafe in Mill Valley is very good and Ignacio will welcome it, same with the bakery.
I go to the one in Mill Valley every day and there is a line out the door. Ignacio will love it.

All will do well.

Really glad to see anything go into that area, and it will be nice to have some options. What I have come to learn though is the term organic has become to mean "more expensive". HOpefully that wont be the case here.

Is this the actual airforce base, or surrounding? I know it is a bit run down but I took my kids there to race their RC cars for years.. I know there are other places, but Hamilton was always peaceful for me and my children to go to on a Sunday, but If this is good for the folks up north...

Nave Lanes... Nevermind!!

Good news for Novato, who is just plowing ahead with their new Whole Foods, Trader Joes and now a beautiful new Safeway, Peet's Coffee, bakery and places to eat. The residents of Hamilton must be excited! Too bad Marinwood could not get it's act together to get the Plaza renovated before all these great stores went in just up the road. Pretty much a deal-killer now for getting any grocer or retail there but at least Marinwood residents only have to drive north one exit now for lots of good grocery, coffee and dining choices.

I'm happy to see the store/eateries we're getting in the area! Woo-hoo!

Please support the local "Mom and Pop's". I work with a lot or local businesses and they are having a tough time as it is. We need more development like a hole in the head.

We are not adequately supporting the business that are here in Marin to begin with. This is not the time for adding more competition.

Instead of Corporate Chains like Jamba and Starbucks, if they are going to bring more... why not something like Three Twins organic ice cream or Dr. Insomniacs. Why not Tres Hombres locally owned in Petaluma?

Why would the term "hole in the head" be ****?

While I am eager to see new stores going in off Ignacio (where I live), I don't see how that one center will support a cafe, bakery, Peet's and Starbucks (in Safeway). Then there is also La Coppa in Pacheco Plaza. You only need so many sources of coffee and pastries.

I hope the bakery makes it. Safeway is great for some things, but their bread is not one of them. Not having to wait for the farmer's market for real organic bread will be nice.

that becuz the olive garden and red lobster suck. and safeway's bakery has poor quality products... most bakery items contain hydogenated oils. the people of novato will definitely embrace a quality bakery and healthy mexican rest.

Rocky wrote:

<quoted text>
You mention four losers that don't fit in any community.
Toast Cafe in Mill Valley is very good and Ignacio will welcome it, same with the bakery.
I go to the one in Mill Valley every day and there is a line out the door. Ignacio will love it.
All will do well.

I don't know about California Diner, but you obviously haven't been to Rohnert Park and tried to get in to Red Lobster or Olive Garden. Both also have lines out the doors, and Cattlemen's in Petaluma is always busy as well. Think outside the (Marin) box!

I call on them to bring in a little old-time candy shop with the barber poles out front! oh man, one thing missing in this nice county is one of those... I am tired of having to go to fairfax-tiburon to get some fresh taffy from out of a barrel!

I hope they create an area where folks can sit outside and eat/drink on warm summer nights. Novato is perfect for that!

Last, it would be wonderful if there could be a "california grown" fruit stand nearby, for california produce. There is one by my work in Mill Valley (near the Tam Valley junction), but it is only convienant for me when I am going home... It would be great to walk to a place like that... No offense to safeway produce!

I wanted an IN & OUT Novato could use one. Who doesn't love that place?

The bakery is probably the best idea. I HATE safeway breads. I also actively try and find things without HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP and HYDROGINATED OILS. Check the food you have I bet you don't even realize how much s.h.i.t your eating that contains these nasty products.

I heard a statistic that the average American consumes at least 40lbs of HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP a year...that is just disgusting I would rather eat spoonfuls of sugar.

just because red lobster and olive garden have lines out the doors it doesn't mean the food is particularly good or good for you, it just means people have no damn taste. keep those nasty place out of marin

Paranoid - I am, just you, about bread.. I was walking up and down the isles at safeway, and came across only 4 different loafs (out of about 100 varieties) that contained no high-frutose corn syrup... Your post outlines my struggles for the past week... And what struggles they have been! I know exactly how you feel...

First, "natural and organic foods from sustainable farms" is "Liberalese" for: outrageously overpriced foods just like at the Marin Civic Center farmer's market (where a few produce items will set you back about 30 bucks). Second, grilling over apple wood is great. But grilling over oak? Not so great. Just ask the pit master Frank, who is an awesome new addition to Ignacio! Welcome Frank!

anyone think the traffic will be a problem? It's already a slo-o-ow congested ride trying to get form Hamilton to 101 N.
Hope they figure that out soon. And I agree with some of you that all these places will not survive...they didn't in Pacheco Plaza.
I hate empty storefronts. Meanwhile, the out-of-town developers take the money and run - no skin off their noses if the businesses don't succeed.

no idea why my location says "Sacramento"

Safeway has horrible produce and their prices are higher than Whole Foods on most items. I rarely shop there unless I am in a pinch for time and need TP.

Hamilton is the same toxic place where you are not suppose to eat fruit off any of the tress. I doubt I will spend any time there. I am waiting for Whole Foods to open.

Why another Starbucks Novato already has at least two and a chain bakery?

I would not eat at a Red Lobster if you held a gun to my head.