Posted by Wondering, a resident of the Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park neighborhood, on Dec 12, 2007 at 5:16 pm

Mr. Russ's observation makes me sad. Are we really becoming a community that chooses a giant corporate grocery store as its center of gravity?

Posted by Alimentaria, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Dec 13, 2007 at 10:17 am

Don't know about you all, but I have no plans to hang out at the giant Safeway for fun and relaxation. The only thing it's going to change for me is how long it takes me to find my groceries and get the heck out of there.

Posted by Joanna, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Dec 13, 2007 at 12:54 pm

I never thought about it, but I think you are right. There are no places to sit down (besides smelly and wet wooden benches) and to congregate. if you want to sit outside, you have to eat at a restaurant. The outside tables and umbrellas are very inviting. Great for meeting or relaxing. You can get your coffee, sushi rolls, hot food, fresh nut butter or whatever and sit outside without feeling like you are taking a space of a small crowded establishment like the other coffee shops.

Plus, Safeway might even enforce the no smoking within x feet of a public door policy.

I don't know about you, but I don't like sitting outside our SBX when the tweens get out of school and scream and push and smoke.

Safeway seems to have it all. I hope that the new stores at the old Safeway site are carefully chosen. No rug or clothing stores! :-)

I would like to see more tables and chairs inside and out.

Check out the sushi bar!

Posted by GINGER, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Dec 13, 2007 at 3:51 pm

I love the new safeway. It offers much more selections and price is great. We don't need to go Dreager's any more!