138 replies to this topic

[mylo]

I think you mean Sutter and SCOTT northeast corner

Er, yes. Scott Street!

[melloguy]

I think you mean Sutter and SCOTT northeast corner

Make that the north corner Aerial Map - Steakhouse Location - the streets run SW-NE and SE-NW, not E-W, N-S. I don't think the Faits (former mayor) on the east corner would appreciate a steakhouse in their front yard.

[pampChefLady]

Speaking of shops you'd like to see on Sutter - I've been wondering if anyone besides me would frequent a nice kitchen store, something like Sur la Table or the one in Placerville, where you could get cool kitchen gear plus attend cooking demos and/or classes. Anyone else enjoy that sort of thing or would you still just go into Linens n Things?

[cw68]

Speaking of shops you'd like to see on Sutter - I've been wondering if anyone besides me would frequent a nice kitchen store, something like Sur la Table or the one in Placerville, where you could get cool kitchen gear plus attend cooking demos and/or classes. Anyone else enjoy that sort of thing or would you still just go into Linens n Things?

No, I'd love one! There's a cool store in Madison called Orange Tree Imports and I miss it terribly. (http://www.orangetreeimports.com/) They have tons of kitchen stuff, some decor things, cookbooks, gourmet food and cooking classes. You name it! I think it could go over well here, but fear that Folsom is too addicted to chains to support it.

[misspaps]

very sad.

My hats off to all of you discussing the Sutter Court building and Sutter Court LLC aka Jerry and aka Kensington Homes intentions.
I have first hand knowledge of what exactly what went on with that building as we helped build it.
The building was created to house a new resturant and some apartments to bring in something different to old Folsom. I would assume that is why the historic district approved it. Sutter Court LLC conjured up a plan to sucker in the general contractor, Reeve-Knight, to do it on a cost plus basis only. But Sutter Court LLC aka Kensington Homes is a just a typical homebuilder-will walk on anybody and everybody to make a buck!
Sutter Court LLC aka Jerry did go back on their word to create a good atmosphere for old Folsom by changing their minds to let the resturant in after they built the building.
It gets better. Sutter Court built that building for very low cost to them since they got away with it on a cost plus basis and even have left subocntractors high and dry in not paying them-yep that's right there are subcontractors that worked on the project that they intentionally are not paying. So be happy you are not one of the tenants as the project is having lien after lien on it which may tie up TI improvements for months! All thanks to the likes of the owners-JERRY!

[Jerry Bernau]

My hats off to all of you discussing the Sutter Court building and Sutter Court LLC aka Jerry and aka Kensington Homes intentions.
I have first hand knowledge of what exactly what went on with that building as we helped build it.
The building was created to house a new resturant and some apartments to bring in something different to old Folsom. I would assume that is why the historic district approved it. Sutter Court LLC conjured up a plan to sucker in the general contractor, Reeve-Knight, to do it on a cost plus basis only. But Sutter Court LLC aka Kensington Homes is a just a typical homebuilder-will walk on anybody and everybody to make a buck!
Sutter Court LLC aka Jerry did go back on their word to create a good atmosphere for old Folsom by changing their minds to let the resturant in after they built the building.
It gets better. Sutter Court built that building for very low cost to them since they got away with it on a cost plus basis and even have left subocntractors high and dry in not paying them-yep that's right there are subcontractors that worked on the project that they intentionally are not paying. So be happy you are not one of the tenants as the project is having lien after lien on it which may tie up TI improvements for months! All thanks to the likes of the owners-JERRY!

For your information, Reeve-Knight Construction has been an excellent General Contractor
for the Sutter Court and Whiskey Row Lofts building. Sutter Court LLC and Reeve-Knight mutually agreed to a cost plus arrangement. In a cost plus agreement, the owner pays the General Contractor for their General Conditions (overhead, supervision, temporary facilities and the like) plus a percentage fee or profit. In this arrangement, the owner takes the risk if construction extends beyond the estimated time or that costs increase during the construction period or something was missed during estimating. As a partner in a homebuilding company, I would prefer to work with clients on a cost plus because we are guaranteed to cover our overhead and receive the agreed upon profit. Otherwise, if we made an estimating mistake, costs increase or it takes longer than we anticipate to complete the job, we make less than anticipated. Many contractors who perform contracts with a guaranteed price build in large contingencies. However, since the partners in Sutter Court, LLC understand construction and Reeve-Knight was very open with their bidding process and sub-contractor selection, we were comfortable taking the risk. Both of us have been happy with the result.

With respect to your lien comment, Reeve-Knight has been very diligent in reviewing all extra work or change orders submitted by their sub-contractors. On two occasions, sub-contractors included work that was in their original contract or submitted substantially different amounts for the same work on separate invoices. On the first occasion, the sub-contractor revised the billing, payment was made and the lien released. On the second occasion, the sub-contractor had to file because the statutory time to file was expiring. However, Reeve-Knight forwarded the contractor the two invoices with substantially different amounts for the same extra work. We anticipate that the lien will be removed shortly.

As for your comment regarding the restaurant, the restaurant was not able to secure financing by the time the building was ready for them to start their TIs. Without the necessary capital, it would have been difficult for the restaurant to open and begin making lease payments. Without the lease payments, we could not have made our own loan payments to our lender. We designed and built our building specifically for a restaurant and more specifically for their particular needs. Unfortunately, their timing did not ultimately work with ours. Don't think your not the only one who would have enjoyed a short walk to a great beer!

Regarding your cost comment, the Sutter Court building was very expensive to build. However, it was critical that the building compliment the other buildings on Historic Sutter Street. From the real double hung wood windows to the extensive use of brick and ironwork, the building was much more expensive to build than the stucco strip centers that seem to pop up over night.

Lastly, your posted comments above are not only untrue but potential hurtful to all of us who care enough about the Historic District to invest our time and resources and locate our businesses there. However, with that said, if you every have concerns or an ideas, I would welcome them. Please feel free to call, e-mail or let's get together over a Lockdown brew and discuss them.

Thanks,

Jerry Bernau

[Steve Heard]

Jerry

Thanks for the reply, and welcome to myfolsom.

[Jerry Bernau]

Jerry

Thanks for the reply, and welcome to myfolsom.

Thanks Steve. I do review the posts often and appreciate everyone's opinion. In fact, I was surprised at the comments regarding Starbucks. I did not realize that the reaction would be so negative. However, I think Starbuck's own founder has come to realize that they are no longer like they were when they started in a similar setting in Seattle.

It is critical that we maintain unique businesses on Sutter Street. There is no way that we can effectively compete with the Paladio and all the other retail in the Folsom area if we just offer more of the same chain stores. In fact, I would really appreciate everyone's input on potential tenants that they would like to see in Historic Folsom Station (formerly the RXR Block). In your travels, if you have seen a great business that you would like to see in Historic Folsom, please let me know.

[cw68]

In your travels, if you have seen a great business that you would like to see in Historic Folsom, please let me know.

Something like Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wisconsin which I make a point to visit every single time I'm lucky enough to get back to Madtown for a visit. http://www.orangetreeimports.com/

It's a superb speciality shop that also holds cooking classes. Here is how they describe it on their web site:
"Orange Tree Imports is a specialty shop featuring an incredible combination of kitchenware, toys, cutlery, candy, gifts, specialty foods, cards, soaps, glassware and more. We've been at our current location of 1721 Monroe Street in Madison, Wisconsin for over 30 years. We are proud to be a part of the Monroe Street neighborhood, with its eclectic mix of small stores and restaurants."

[Jerry Bernau]

Something like Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Wisconsin which I make a point to visit every single time I'm lucky enough to get back to Madtown for a visit. http://www.orangetreeimports.com/

It's a superb speciality shop that also holds cooking classes. Here is how they describe it on their web site:
"Orange Tree Imports is a specialty shop featuring an incredible combination of kitchenware, toys, cutlery, candy, gifts, specialty foods, cards, soaps, glassware and more. We've been at our current location of 1721 Monroe Street in Madison, Wisconsin for over 30 years. We are proud to be a part of the Monroe Street neighborhood, with its eclectic mix of small stores and restaurants."

Great suggestion! I really like the fact that they have cooking classes. When I visited Fourth Street in Berkeley, there was a store called Sur La Tab (sp?) but I don't think they had specialty foods, soaps and cards. Keep them coming. While the Orange Tree owners may not venture out of Madison, maybe there is someone closer that would like to start a business or open up a second store.

[cw68]

Great suggestion! I really like the fact that they have cooking classes. When I visited Fourth Street in Berkeley, there was a store called Sur La Tab (sp?) but I don't think they had specialty foods, soaps and cards. Keep them coming. While the Orange Tree owners may not venture out of Madison, maybe there is someone closer that would like to start a business or open up a second store.

Sur la Table. Cool store. While I doubt we could get an actual Orange Tree Imports out here, a store like theirs (non-chain, unique) would be great.

[cw68]

Oh, I've got more. I love funky little shops that are one-of-a-kind. Again, it might be hard to get an actual franchise of the store, here are some types of shops I'd love to see down on Sutter. Since I've spent far more time in Madison and Chicago, my suggestions are heavilty titled to these locales.

A great music shop. CDs new and used, etc.

A popcorn shop. Small, of course, with great popcorn. Thinking of Madison, I still jones for Vics Popcorn, or in Chicago, Garrett's Popcorn. They are seriously tiny with seriously excellent popcorn.

A coffeeshop/bookstore. Not a big bookstore (which I still like), but a small intimate bookstore where the owner can guide you to books you like. A place where you can sit for a while and read. There's really no place on Sutter Street, except for a bar, where you can sit for an extended time (unless you bring your own reading material). There was a great bookstore in Madison called Canterbury Books that had a cafe attached. You could come in, buy a book, grab a bite or a cuppa joe and read. I spent many a Sunday morning there with the Sunday paper, a cup of coffee, pastries and friends. (They also had a bed & breakfast upstairs with each room decorated in a different Canterbury Tale. It's been turned into apartments and the bookstore/cafe was sold.)

The Red Balloon in Chicago. "The Red Balloon Co. opened its Chicago doors in 1998 as a children's furniture store, selling handmade furniture of our own design, like our signature decoupaged toy chests. In the years to come, we expanded to include a wide selection of children's clothing, books, toys, and room accessories--all selected for durability and the wonderful, whimsical qualities that make childhood so special." http://www.theredballoon.com/info.html

[Chad Vander Veen]

Taco Bell!

[harrmill]

Bristol Farms

Next time you are in San Francisco - visit San Francisco Center shopping center - downstairs. Wonderful gourmet grocery store/restaurant. Chain, yes, but very unique, like Sutter Street.

Banks and 'bucks? Too many around town already - I agree with the posts that state that our Sutter Street will end up looking just like any other strip-mall.

[gorilla]

Thanks Steve. I do review the posts often and appreciate everyone's opinion. In fact, I was surprised at the comments regarding Starbucks. I did not realize that the reaction would be so negative. However, I think Starbuck's own founder has come to realize that they are no longer like they were when they started in a similar setting in Seattle.

It is critical that we maintain unique businesses on Sutter Street. There is no way that we can effectively compete with the Paladio and all the other retail in the Folsom area if we just offer more of the same chain stores. In fact, I would really appreciate everyone's input on potential tenants that they would like to see in Historic Folsom Station (formerly the RXR Block). In your travels, if you have seen a great business that you would like to see in Historic Folsom, please let me know.

Don't try and compete with Paladio. We don't want Sutter Street to be turned into a shopping mall. Please do your best to keep the old town charm that we love so very much about Sutter Street