Posted on 06/24/2006 6:45:36 AM PDT by radar101
RANCHO BERNARDO Developer Ron Bamberger doesn't deny stepping into a Hooters once or twice. Even though he didn't really like the food, that's not the reason he thinks it's a bad idea for the company to open a restaurant in the area.
We're in a high-end, award-winning master-planned community, and Hooters is not consistent with the culture, he said.
Bamberger is president of Boardwalk Development, which among other ventures manages the shopping center on Bernardo Center Drive that houses Vons and other stores.
He said that for the good of the community where he does business, he's spearheading what he calls a grass-roots campaign against Hooters that includes residents and other businesses. Bamberger also is president of the Bernardo Town Center Property Owners Association.
Hooters goes against the family values in the community, he said.
Opponents will soon post signs around Rancho Bernardo that purportedly quote from a Hooters employee handbook: The essence of the Hooters concept is entertainment through female sex appeal, of which the look is a key part. The rest of the sign reads, RB Says No to Hooters.
Besides signs, residents are collecting signatures and statements outside Vons, Bamberger said. They plan to send the dozens of statements of opposition to San Diego city officials in charge of approving a restaurant's permit to operate, and to the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control that would approve its liquor license.
Hooters is known for waitresses in form-fitting shorts and tops delivering hot wings and burgers. Its name is slang for female breasts.
Fred Glick, president of Hoot Winc LLC, the partnership that owns and operates 24 other Hooters around the country, including one in Oceanside, said he's not worried about the opposition.
While a small, vocal minority of the population may voice their concerns before we open new locations, those concerns are unfounded and quickly disappear once residents visit the eatery, Glick said.
He added that Bamberger is mischaracterizing Hooters as a tawdry strip joint. Instead, he said, it's a restaurant that's casual and fun. It sells beer and wine only, Glick said, adding that up to $2 million would be spent to retrofit the abandoned, 6,300-square-foot-building that Hooters is scheduled to lease near Interstate 15 and Rancho Bernardo Road.
Still, more than 100 people packed a recent Rancho Bernardo Planning Board meeting to protest the restaurant. Councilman Brian Maienschein opposes it, too. But both the Planning Board and the Rancho Bernardo Community Council declined to take a position because they also heard from residents or businesses that support it.
The extra media attention generated by Bamberger's efforts may actually drive up business, Glick said, adding, Now they have a reason to see what the fuss is all about.
Glick said Bamberger may be opposed to Hooters because it would be next door to Bamberger's development company. Bamberger lost a bid to buy the property for his own expansion efforts, Glick said.
Bamberger said he tried to buy the property three years ago, but that his opposition has absolutely nothing to do with that. Hooters simply doesn't fit Rancho Bernardo, he said.
I would welcome any other business, Bamberger said.
Elena Gaona: (760) 737-7575; elena.gaona@uniontrib.com
It's a gay-planned community?
No, the guy is full of it.
It was THE first planned community in San Diego County, and was built mid-70's.
There are several HIGHER-end communities in San Diego. Actually, Rancho Bernardo is in San Diego CITY.
"How about a strip club, then?"
ROFLMAO! Or how about he pony up a little more cash next time?!?!? F'in developers..."nothing to do with that" my fanny.
Unintentional Comedy Index=9 1/2.
So, you like the meat?
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I was just against Hooters a few hours ago and my campaign definitely heated up.
My standard of morality is different from yours, not higher, I do accept your standard without hesitation and the point of my post was wondering why those of us who think this way can't expect the same.
Forgive my sensitivity regarding children. I believe that growing them up too fast is harmful to their little minds. I don't think this is a stand that should be attacked so violently, but again that's me. Peace to you as well, nothing personal.
I wonder if this guy knows that he sounds like an annoying, elitist prig. Probably not.
I guess it's their community, but with the types of entertainment that are just a short distance away, I think their priorities might be a tiny bit skewed.
I haven't seen a Zaxby's, but I'll certainly keep an eye out for one when I travel.
Sorry - I was being sarcastic, not upset. When someone suggests that Hooters is not a great idea for a family neighborhood and someone else comes flying off the handle to ask who you are - you are probably someone who made them think about something they would rather not have thought about. So they attack you rather than thinking about it.
Not that I've ever done that. Nope. Nope. I'm above that sort of thing you know. </sarcasm>
I'll try to be more obvious next time.
Shalom.
I think every Hooter's in the country should put a "BamBurger" on the menu. Just a small, tasteless thing, with no appeal.
We're in a high-end, award-winning master-planned community, and Hooters is not consistent with the culture, he said.
Maybe they can open one and call it Snooters!
Snobby, snobby.
Myrtle Beach?
I can't tell you what they actually taste like as I can't tolerate that much heat. I truly cannot imagine why any sane person wants to eat something that hot, possibly if they have some kind of chronic pain it could be helpful in releiving it but otherwise it makes no sense to me.
Well, there is one other thing, I have found SUPER hot wings to be one of the most effective and rapid ways to relieve sinus congestion.
We have no Hooters here in Montana, so I'm not abreast of the situation. But we really don't need them, as the terrain is bulging and certainly not flat.
Absolutely great for your sinuses. Also good for lots of other things. There was an article years ago in the Smithsonian magazine about chile peppers and those of us who insanely crave the super hot. One theory they have as to why some people love them is that even though the heat registers a certain level of pain, your body's response to that is for the brain to release endorphines and that the resulting endorphine rush is really what we are craving. Not sure if that's true, but I grew up in the southwest (Colorado, New Mexico) and I started in on hot peppers early in life. Maybe that's the key; start when you're young.
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