Politics & Government

New Discount Store Destined for Downtown

The Watsonville Planning Commission is also expected to OK liquor sales at new airport eatery.

Bargain shoppers, Watsonville's Main Street will soon be a mecca for great deals, if the Watsonville Planning Commission approves plans for another dollar store during its meeting Tuesday.

A Gilroy man wants to open a discount retail store at 375 Main St., next to LA Western Wear, where he would sell items for a dollar or more, according to the staff report prepared by Marcela Tavantzis, interim community development director and Keith Boyle, a principal planner.

During , downtown merchants asked city leaders to do more to increase foot traffic and shoppers in the business district.

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The new dollar store could "create additional energy downtown that will be support of the retail environment," Tavantzis and Boyle's report stated.

The near-6,500 square foot space, formerly Coast Savings and Loan, is currently vacant.

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The store would join other discount retailers in the downtown including the Discount Mall,  , thrift store, the , and the .

In other Planning Commission business, and the new proprietor at the Watsonville Municipal Airport restaurant is looking to get the business's liquor license reinstated.

Andrew Crocker, who runs 99 Bottles of Beer in Santa Cruz, is reopening the restaurant at the airport as Props.  for many years, but closed down in 2011. 

Props plans to be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

According to the staff report, there has a been a restaurant and bar at the site for several decades with little to no incidents. Staff is recommending Crocker's proposal be approved.

The Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, fourth floor of the Civic Plaza, 275 Main St. in Watsonville.


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