• Independent Media for Truckee • North Lake Tahoe
• Friday, February 10, 2012

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Trying to Add to the Vibrant Mix in Downtown Truckee

My Shot

I am the founder of Grilla Bites restaurants, a healthy, upscale restaurant with a moderately priced menu, and my wife and I have been attempting to lease a space in downtown Truckee. We subscribe to the Slow Food movement and believe that a Grilla Bites in downtown Truckee would be a lively, attractive addition, but our attempts to procure a location have only been met with resistance and frustration.

We have locations in Redding and Chico that are destination spots. The iPhone has helped immensely because freeway travelers searching for lunch or dinner see our vegan and vegetarian menu items.We also have a very large salad bar packed with organic salad choices. Interstate 80 provides easy access to downtown Truckee.

Downtown Truckee, as I have come to find out, is controlled by a handful of people. One gentleman owns many of the closed buildings and seems not interested in renting. Another building is owned by the Oddfellows group, which had a restaurant that recently closed. We have offered to go into that building but they decided to rent to another candy and streusels store. Truckee already has a well established, family-owned candy store. Does it need another? Can it support another? This location would be ideal for Grilla Bites and would have been a great addition to downtown. Other cities have done reviews of their vacancy situation and come up with a priority of types of businesses to encourage.

Times are very challenging now and we all need to work together to bring the best to our communities. It’s not all about money, but more of the good old triple net bottom line; people, community, and profit — not just profit.

I believe that a responsible landlord should understand his community and make choices based on logic and market studies. Their choices could enhance the community. It’s not just about financial statements.

Also to address the issue of Grilla Bites being a “chain,” not quite. We have four locations. But you can call us a chain in that we are linked to organics, sustainability, health, and the community.

I will continue my pursuit to locate in downtown Truckee. It’s a great opportunity for Grilla Bites and the Town of Truckee.
 
~ Fred Marken, Founder Grilla Bites, Chico