Old Business Struggles while New One Shines
The Plaza at Gale Ranch in San Ramon has recently opened up to the public with the introduction of Safeway, its anchor tenant. The estimated $20 million development, located at Dougherty Road and Bollinger Canyon Road, will soon be home to other businesses that include Wells Fargo, Union Bank, Ascona Pizza, Gale Ranch Dental Group, Peet's Coffee and Fat Cactus Bar & Grill.
About 135,000 people live within five miles of the plaza, which is already more than Concord’s entire population. It is worth noting that the average household income in this area is $141,977.
Less than 5 miles away from Gale Ranch is Windmill Farms, which is facing pressure from the Contra Costa Health Department to change the way it has been doing business for the past 30 years. The San Ramon produce market has been selling cut fuits and vegetables along with other prepared foods in a space that is much larger than what is allowed by the county’s open-air codes. Windmill Farms can continue to sell their products as they have been if they create more indoor space and washable floors. If they fail to comply, they may be forced to shut down permanently.
It’s hard to hear of this produce market’s struggles alongside the success that The Plaza at Gale Ranch is destined for. As much as I would love for established, community-loved businesses to thrive, customer safety must be looked at as a priority. I hope that Windmill Farms will be able to resolve its disputes with the county without having to compromise too much of the services it has been providing to the San Ramon area for over three decades.
