I hope that Whole Foods makes an application, unchanged, directly to the city -- and soon. The JPNC did the right thing to rescind its unprecedented vote, taken at its last meeting with no notice to Whole Foods or any of the abutters or the hundreds of JP residents who signed the petition in favor of adding seating to the store. The JPNC has shown that it cannot give Whole Foods a fair hearing. At the same meeting that it voted against Whole Foods, it approved the license for Caffe Aromi, the largest restaurant in Hyde Square, which has no parking and competes directly with the exact same restaurants the Council claims to be concerned about, with no modifications. The bias against Whole Foods is so obvious that there is no point in the Market trying to work with the Council. When Whole Foods goes before the City, it will have overwhelming support from JP residents who have found it to be a responsible business and a very good neighbor.

Oh, and one more thing. Caffe Aromi will expand to longer hours than Whole Foods and other restaurants in the area and it has over 40 year-round seats, compared to the proposed 22 at Whole Foods (with an additional 16 seasonal seats outside). Caffe Aromi also plans to add more seating on its patio. If any of the existing businesses are worried about competition, their concern should be directed at the Caffe, not Whole Foods.

Gretchen - YOU are brilliant. So articulate. Such an effective cogent and compelling writer that I have nothing to add, except for 2 things. 1. applause. 2. overwhelming support for each and every word you wrote.

I would add that I have called the city several times and was puzzled why they had no application of any kind for whole foods seating, yet there was a council meeting. It did not make any sense to me ... and still doesn't. I have told the management at whole foods that they are being far too deferential to a body that that does not represent the 37,400 residents of JP and that, more importantly is profoundly biased against them to the point, as member Howley notes, is tantamount to harassment. I have urged whole foods to file their application so that 1,000's of residents can start to call, fax and e mail in their support directly to the city. I also pointed out that they city is quite aware that our JPNC rarely represents the will of the 37,000 voters here. As a result, it is well known in city hall that our JPNC has very little if any valid voice as a true guage of the mood here . The city wants to keep a reasonable, fair minded electorate happy ... that's what gets them votes. Since they know that our JPNC is often so far away from the mood of JP's fair minded majority, they pay little if any, attention to council votes relying 90+% on the actual calls, e mails, faxes etc that come into city offices directly from residents.

Hi everyone, Whole Foods just wrote to me to say they have already applied to the city for the seating. Once I know when and where the hearing is, I'll publicize it. Should be in front of the licensing board. I've updated the story.

Big news!
I just got a call from Jennifer at Whole Foods!
She wanted me to know that there is a licensing board meeting next week for the Whole Foods seating request.

I suggested she/Whole Foods publicize it at the store, but I think they will not .. I do not understand why.

Here is what Jennifer told me in terms of the meeting:
June 13th
10:00
room 809
city hall

I just called city hall and was told that,
If people cannot attend, they can offer support in writing
fax: 617 635 4742

or by mail
licensing board
1 city hall plaza RM 809
Boston MA 02201

And here's a fresh post on the subject. Thanks, Rich, I've included the information about how to comment even if you can't make the hearing. http://patch.com/A-tRFn