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
None of that changes my opinion. Most of the areas you mentioned have older and dumpy areas that drag down the median home price.
hooters bump
What an arrogant SOB!
I do too. That's why I try to visit as many as possible in each state I visit to make sure I'm correctly analyzing the situation.
You are right! RB is populated by stodgy, tightly-wrapped, snotty retired people. On the west side is a "Commercial Park", with a lot of high tech companies. The workers commute from as far away as Riverside. The workers can not afford to live there.
I paid $960k for my last house. I would not mind having a hooters in the closest stripmall.
Some do. They call themselves "progressives".
We're in a high-end, award-winning master-planned community, and Hooters is not consistent with the culture
Really needs the accent:
"Ve are in a high-end, avard-vinning community vith a master race -er 'master plan' consistent with our master culture.
If the entire community doesn't like it, it's kind of them to let Hooters know before they waste the money to open up a restaurant there.
Of course, it also saves them market research money.
Thoughtful of the locals, really.
Shalom.
I don't know about where you live, but I would never suffer my wife and kids drooling all over my shirt in public.
Shalom.
Interesting concept. My daughter, who is rather better endowed than her father wanted to have to worry about, manages to look beautiful without wearing tight fitting shirts and short shorts. She never goes out in a burka - just tasteful and reasonably modest clothing.
Shalom.
Come to Myrtle Beach!
I like Hooters!
If you set your standard of morality higher than mine, then you MUST be some kind of snob who thinks you're better than me. There's no WAY you can just accept me as having a different standard than you do. You MUST be some kind of MORALITY BIGOT. That's why I get upset.
I know it's not because my conscience gives me a kick when I see where your standard is set. I KNOW that's not the reason I get upset.
Shalom.
Yes, help has finally arrived in this land of marble and glitz and more marble. We have created a refreshing escape where you can let your hair down, breathe a sigh of relief, and hang out with the world-famous Hooters Girls. The long-standing tradition of combining a comfortable neighborly atmosphere with zany fun and excitement makes Hooters Casino Hotel your safe haven at The Strip. Go ahead, spend some time at the other (more common) casinos, see the shows, do the town. Then join the Hooters Girls for the most uncommonly good times of your life!
Sure! If it was "high end".
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