Locals circulate petition for Ross BY SARAH DE CRESCENZO for The Porterville Recorder | 22-Feb-2010
Locals circulate petitition for Ross BY SARAH DE CRESCENZO 2010-02-03 10:18:39
The imminent arrival of a Kohl's department store in to the Target Shopping Center has spurred rumors that a Ross Dress for Less, originally slated to move in to the former Grocery Warehouse next door, will open its doors. Though Ross is currently leasing the building, it took down its opening signs after the Mervyn's store next door shut down in 2008. Business owners and community leaders alike are circulating a petition in hopes that the demonstration of local enthusiasm for the store will convince the business to open - and soon. "If we reach 5000 signatures, I think that will show Ross that here in Porterville we're interested in this," All About Ice Cream owner John Lopez said. Lopez' store sits five spaces from the 1351 W. Henderson Ave. address many hope ross will soon fill. "We're doing anything we can to ruffle feathers and get people moving," Lopez said. He relocated All About Ice Cream and opened almost exactly one year ago in anticipation of Ross' opening. "It was one of the reasons why we moved here," he said. However, soon after, Mervyn's announced it would close, and the opening date for Ross was gradually extended from February, to Spring 2009 to Summer 2009, until one day the promotion banners were removed altogether. According to company president Dave Paynter of Prospect-Henderson Partners, L.P., part of Tustin-based Paynter Realty & Investments, the lease Ross holds will be up in May. "We hope the petition will demonstrate the community support for a Ross store in Porterville," he said. Volunteers, including Chamber of Commerce staff and local business owners, will be canvassing on weekends to reach the petition's goal of 5,000 signatures in two weeks. The petition drive will take place in the greater Porterville area, Chamber CEO Donnette Silva Carter because residents of nearby towns would also benefit from another large retailer in Porterville. "We know people come here from surrounding communities, because it's convenient for them," she said. The petition has been distributed to All About Ice Cream, the Chamber office, City Hall, K-TIP and a few other businesses in the Target Shopping Center, Silva Carter said. "We just feel that showing the enthusiastic response of the community will actually help to put Ross over that edge to the final decision that they do want to be part of the shopping venues in Porterville," Silva Carter said. Just in case Ross decides against filling the empty storefront, a secondary petition is circulating simultaneously. Ross, Silva Carter said, is everyone's top choice, but the second petition encourages either TJ Maxx or Marshalls - sister retail companies that also sell discount goods - to move into the spot if Ross terminates the lease. Small business people are supporting the effort, Silva Carter said, because "big business compliments small business." All About Ice Cream's Lopez concurs. Many who enter his store to sign the petition, Lopez said, have complained about having to leave town for their shopping needs because of th elack of large retailers. "A lot of people resent the fact they have to run off to Visalia to do any shopping besides Target and Wal-Mart," John Lopez said. He said limited options frustrate those who would rather make every day purchases closer to home. "It seems to be that way across the board," he said. Mayor Pete McCracken is fully optimistic wiht regards to the imminent arrival of Kohl's. "When Mervyn's declared bankruptcy, it provided an opportunity for Ross to cancel the lease," he said. "They chose not to cancel, but just delay their opening." He said he expects Ross to open in either April or October, alongside Kohl's. "As far as I know," McCracken said, "I'm not aware of any hurdles or stumbling blocks to Ross coming in." Though the city became involved in the arrival of a Kohl's department store when they loaned $2.7 million to developers, it is not involved in the potential Ross store. Even so, Councilman Cameron Hamilton said he is "all for" the petition. "It's good to let Ross know folks are going to support them," he said. City Manager John Lollis said he is also positive about the potential of the discount retailer opening up in the future. "I think it is good news that negotiations continue - that tells me that the interest is there, and it's just a matter of getting the deal done, " he said.
