(Click images throughout this story to “biggify” them.)
In Saturday’s chilly, pre-dawn hours, supporters of the over 80-year-old Loleta Meat Market gathered, hung signs and set up a table full of donuts for what was scheduled to be a weekend-long protest. But to be clear, the sprinkled pastries they provided were not made by neighboring Loleta Bakery.
“No, they don’t make donuts. Donuts aren’t classy enough we were told,” said Loleta resident Becky Davy before revealing the origin.
“Good ol’ Safeway,” she said.
The mostly Facebook-organized protest was aimed at the owners of Loleta Bakery, Peter and Jeanie van der Zee, who late last week gave the meat market owners a 60-day notice to vacate (the van der Zees own the building). The issue? They need the space. The very successful four year old bakery would like to expand customer seating and production into the current meat market location, a decision which has divided the town.
“They don’t even act like part of this community,” said protester and former bakery employee Elaine Jones who worked at the bakery from its opening day until just over a year ago.
While the protesters waved signs and discussed grievances out front, Loleta Meat Market owner Pixie Setterlund sliced steaks as part of her regular day-to-day preparations in her shop’s back room — a space that shares an open door with the bakery’s back room.
“We’re only the second family that’s ever owned this place,” said Setturland, who has worked at the shop for 26 years and and owned it for 14. She hopes that the town’s furor will help illustrate how important her work is to the community she feeds.
On the other side of the wall, bakery owner Peter van der Zee says the decision to evict Setturland was “heart wrenching.” He looked at all the options, considering moving to another location, but in the end if his business was to remain financially viable he had to expand.
“I have the utmost respect for Pixie. She’s good people. What she does with sausage — she’s an artist,” he said. “But if I don’t do this Loleta Bakery won’t be here next year.”
Van der Zee says he’s discussed other options with Setturland, like moving her operation down the street to the old Gilded Rose building which he also owns. Setturland says that won’t work and, in fact, why doesn’t the bakery move then.
“He doesn’t understand that I can’t pick up my walk in cooler. You can do that with your coffee maker, your panini maker,” she said. “We’re wired in 80 years.”
In the event that she is forced to close her doors, Setturland says she’ll likely join her brother at the Ferndale Meat Co. — the siblings own both businesses jointly.
The protesters ranks swelled to over 50, as the day wore on. Some yelled “please do not support the bakery” at potential customers. Some chanted “Save The Bacon!”
Summoned by bakery staff, Sheriff’s deputies arrived mid-morning to monitor proceedings. In the park across the street meat market supporters grilled up samples of Pixie’s famous sausage.
“This stuff is the best,” the grillmaster remarked (full disclosure: I ate some.) “And it’s local.”
Soon he’ll likely have to drive a bit farther to get it.
The hardcore meat lovers kicked things off at 7 a.m.
Protesters react to reading Peter van der Zee’s quotes in the Times-Standard.
Signage.
HCSO on the scene.
The Loleta Meat Market’s three-legged mascot “Keggers” eyes the Loleta Bakery.
UPDATE 1/14: We’re inching our way toward good news, sausage fans. After Saturday’s community outpouring, the meat and bread camps decided to schedule another meeting to see if they could come to some sort of compromise. Thus, on Sunday the owners of both Loleta businesses walked down to the old Gilded Rose building and discussed the logistics of a potential Loleta Meat Market move.
“I felt that it was a remarkably positive, congenial meeting,” said Loleta Bakery co-owner Jeanne van der Zee, who said the meeting was not a result of the weekend protest. She’d have liked to have it earlier, but emotions were running high. According to van der Zee, she and her husband Peter have offered “financial and neighborly support” and have extended their initial 60-day eviction notice though she declined to say for how long.
There’s still a lot to be hammered out if anything is going to happen. Meat market owner Pixie Setturland’s daughter Jenny Aubrey said a move down the street would still be something of a financial stretch for her mom but said they may again reach out to the community for fundraising help. But, for the moment, the future of sausage in the Eel River Valley is a bit more hopeful than it was.
This article appears in The Gun Issue.
Meat is disgusting. Bread is delicious. Enough said.
That meat market is filthy..hey how about some gloves handling that meat, pixie!
Gloves? Really? Why? I’m sure she washed her hands first. Here’s a news flash, if one cooks the meat before eating it any pathogens will be killed by that process. Gloves indeed!
Clearly comments made by bakery employees or the vanderzees themselves, just like they tried to do all day yesterday on the facebook site supporting the meat market. Yes we had your number Loleta Bakery, It was too obvious yesterday and its clear again today. Trashing Pixie online, refusing to work something out with her that is fair, etc…
I thought folks in Loleta were also proud of the bakery..? It’s great to see such support of the bakery. I am certain a solution can be found. Maybe the community can help move the meat market to a newer better facility? come on, let’s get creative and make sure both businesses stay profitable to themselves and Loleta. And no, I am not affiliated with any of the businesses but am a patron of both..and would like to keep it that way.
The Van Der Zees have done great things for the people of Loleta, even if all those people are too small minded to admit it.
Business brings out the worst in people. Unfortunately landowners have always disregarded the will of their occupants. How big does the bakery need to be? I don’t know. But you don’t throw morals and values and neighbors out the window for extra money. It’s not ok. But he who holds the chips calls the shots. Hopefully they’ll come around.
I miss how people in Humboldt just love a good old protest (sarcasm). It is a shame that the bakery/property owners are pulling the rug from under this lady. My problem is how vitriolic people get about things like this. Boycott and just shut your mouths because this kind of stuff hurts Loleta. What business is going to want to startup there and expand the economy when people get this way? It’s noble to stand up for Pixie but you guys are only hurting yourselves by protesting. Also, I remember walking into that bakery location myself and it was so small. Just move somewhere else Loleta Bakery, you have already shot yourself in the foot.
Pixie has done great things for the residents of loleta too and I challenge you to list what the vanderzees have done? because 875 people disagree with you, basically a large portion of the town joined the save the meat market Facebook page in 48 hours to show thier support. for the meat market. I suggested yesterday that is need not be a either or situation, Why dont they work together and create a open floor plan”restaurant market with the meat market on one side and the bakery on the other, they could move a wall, open up the space, add a few tables and chairs more and sell baked goods, meat, sausage sandwiches and chacuderie boards… However Im guessing the vanderzees are not willing to consider this.
Just curious on how the bakery has helped the community, they look down on everybody like they are so much better. If somebody didn’t have money, would they allow a person to charge a loaf of bread? Not that I have seen. No money no food. They think they are so much better than everybody else, but you know when people are in need pixie and the meat market are there. The Van Der Zees, mainly jeanie , has her nose so far up in the air that I’m surprised she doesn’t have a permanent smell of bird poop in it.
Meat is better than bread any day.
Hmm, an 80+ year business success vs. a 4-year business claiming it needs more space to be viable. Which one deserves to survive? Easy answer. You don’t end success to chance the future on a gamble.
Echoing Marcus: If the welfare of the community of Loleta is the issue there should be pride and support of a thriving business that brings people to a small town off the beaten trail. The bakery supports the Loleta Cheese Factory, I know I always make a point of going to both when I’m in town, and the owners are trying to accommodate the Meat Market. Instead of wasting energy being ugly, the Meat Market could take this as opportunity to upgrade. It could be good for them if they would be willing to see it that way. Loleta has so few businesses, we should be supporting them all. Help the Meat Market move to a new location in Loleta so we can be proud of the success of all, and not grieving what will be the inevitable loss of the Meat Market if they refuse to take this opportunity to improve their business.
Really? So you think the only people not for the meat market are the property owners? Reality is that not everyone thinks as you do. I have no connection with the bakery at all, other than having eaten there a few times.
And you are sure she washed her hands? I am not willing to take that chance, and I think legally she is supposed to be wearing gloves. Your argument is she can be filthy as long as the meat is cooked properly?
You don’t understand pathogens much do you. I wonder if she has taken the food handling course as prescribed by law?
I have no affiliation with the bakery.
improve on an 80 year old business with two owners over that time? not much to improve. The bakery owners own the Guilded Rose building with a complete kitchen. why not move dining to that location? the van der zees are pretentious snobs and are clearly trying to gentrify our town. this ain’t healdsburg, we like our gritty town and real working joes that live here. if they want pretentious snobs and political correctness, move to arcata.
Pixie actually helps the people of Loleta. As far as the bakery bringing business to Loleta, NO! The bakery brings business for the bakery and the bakery alone. The bakery has brought over whelming traffic to Loleta (if that is what outsiders consider bringing business to our town.)
I like the staff at the bakery and they make fine food. They don’t help the community of Loleta like Pixie has.
The Loleta Bakery is a diamond in the rough. Nothing against the Meat Market but if they’ve managed to stay in business for 80 yrs there, they can be successful a block down the road where the owners have offered to help move them. Gentrify? I didn’t realize a town could be so averse to the success of their economy.
@marcus. we are here trying to save one of our 8 businesses, including the post office and yur community services. how about the van der zees being creative? this is probably one of the worst business decisions i have seen since new coke.
@laura pixie is in compliance with state and county health ordinances. whereas the bakery is not compliant with county health and safety with tables blocking sidewalk and not compliant with ADA access needs. still wanna throw rocks?
For those that are annoyed by Pixie not wearing gloves? what are you a planted bot for jeanne and company. Anyone who has a lick of sense knows how to handle meat. The bakery has not brought business to Loleta. All it has brought is a bunch of city people who want to eat in our hamlet and make remarks about Kegger and how backward we are. The bakery has many options. I have had a personal painful experience at the hands of jeanne van der snoot and I daresay she has changed her colors. Get ready folks this woman epitomizes Bitch.
OUTSIDERS need to shut up. Even if you went to college somewhere far away, shut up and keep quiet. You know nothing. How come there was a domestic violence call at vanderzeets last week? Peter was in anguish or something? My arse….This is bombs away. I do not give a rip if the bakery moves. Too Pricy. I would like the place for a second hand store. Would serve our community better
gentrify and economic success are not the same. the bakery decision is destroying the successful business. at 4 years old the bakery is not past the new business hurdle and clearly from peter van der zees own words they are not as successful as they seem.
Hey you guys and gals, can’t we all just get along?! I want to eat my meat and have my bread too. 😉
Angelina, we all were getting along until the meat market was served an eviction notice.
The meat market is a filthy hole. Pixie does not believe in the basics of cleanliness ( take a peek behind the counter or out the back door) read some health indpection reports. The place is gross. Not even hot water
Happy to hear the Loleta Bakery is doing so well. Sorry to hear the Meat Market is not. Hopefully their supporters will help them in their new location so they won’t have to close their doors for good.
@a. read the article the bakery is not doing well. the meat market is doing well. when the bakery fails after expanding there will be no bakery or the sucessfull meat market. gor ut yet?
Stay classy, Loleta Meat Market supporters. If you choose not to be, you’re no better than the folks you accuse of malaise.
@ Ellen: I am an outsider now for good reason. The economy is poor and now I am an ex-statetriot. Your attitude proves my point for why I would not start a business in California or Oregon because of the attitude toward “outsiders”. I grew up in Humboldt and left at 25. It makes me sick to my stomach that the bakery owner is acting this way and equally as much that people are protesting outside of a business for something that is a standard business practice. Character attacks of people and small town gossip should not be brought into the picture. I think for both sides and the community as a whole it is toxic.
I want to address a few things. The first is that many of you don’t seem to understand the tens of thousands of dollars it will cost to move the meat market. Her coolers/freezers and built INTO the building! She can’t just unplug then and roll them out the door, like say, the bakery can. Second…feel free to read the Health Inspection reports! I was there for at least 5 inspections and there was only one that wasn’t stellar, and I am pretty sure it’s because the inspector had a HUGE BUG UP THEIR BUTT! Go find Teresa and ask her because the same inspector came to her next and she was irate with the nit picking and bad attitude of the inspector. She is current on ALL health codes and training classes etc. So those are completely invalid points. No, she doesn’t have to wear gloves. That’s where the frequent hand washing comes in. And the ‘not even hot water’ claim is just a lie! The water is practically scalding hot! There are a handful of people who complain about the cleanliness of the business. Most of those people are morons who think that because a dog sits on a sidewalk that it’s somehow going to contaminate everything and we’re all going to die of diphtheria or something. You’d think that if it were that unclean that the place would have been shut down. But it hasn’t. Know why? Because it’s JUST FINE! Jeanne has wanted my Mom out of there forever, and this is just a great excuse for her. Peter seems to be caught in the middle and needs to grow a pair and do what’s right. I’ve always found him to be a kind and caring man who just happens to be married to a Harpie. Maybe he will see just how important both businesses are to the community and that in order for them both to thrive, he needs to come up with a better solution. I’m pretty sure that there are people in the community willing to donate their time to help with any renovations and moving of the Bakery down to the Gilded Rose.
@Shannon I just want to clarify, that as far as I’m concerned, what Jeanne is doing is NOT standard business practice at all. I, too had to leave the area because of a bad economy. Do you really think that shoving another business out is a way to BOOST the economy??
After reading the hate-filled comments in this thread, suffice to say I won’t shop at the bakery. Not that I’m in Loleta often, but when in town for cheese, I’ll be sure not to check out that dive.
@unanonymous. I think you may have misunderstood the article. The owner saying there wouldn’t be a bakery in Loleta if they didn’t expand was alluding to the fact that they would move their very successful business out of a community that so desperately needs the tax revenue they generate.
Laura if you can substantiate your claim as to the cleanliness of the facility under discussion you should report same to the health department. If you don’t you do a disservice to the entire community. I have a feeling you know as much about that as you know about the laws regarding glove use. Here’s the law as it relates to that subject:
California Health and Safety Code Section 113973
Legal Research Home > California Laws > Health and Safety Code > California Health and Safety Code Section 113973
(a) Gloves shall be worn when contacting food and
food-contact surfaces if the employee has any cuts, sores, rashes,
artificial nails, nail polish, rings (other than a plain ring, such
as a wedding band), uncleanable orthopedic support devices, or
fingernails that are not clean, smooth, or neatly trimmed.
(b) Whenever gloves are worn, they shall be changed, replaced, or
washed as often as handwashing is required by this part.
(c) If used, single-use gloves shall be used for only one task,
such as working with ready-to-eat food or with raw food of animal
origin, used for no other purpose, and shall be discarded when
damaged or soiled, or when interruptions in the food handling occur.
(d) Except as specified in subdivision (e), slash-resistant gloves
that are used to protect the hands during operations requiring
cutting shall be used only with food that is subsequently cooked as
specified in Section 114004, such as frozen food or a primal cut of
meat.
(e) Slash-resistant gloves may be used with ready-to-eat food that
will not be subsequently cooked if the slash-resistant gloves have a
smooth, durable, and nonabsorbent outer surface or if the
slash-resistant gloves are covered with a smooth, durable,
nonabsorbent glove, or a single-use glove.
(f) Cloth gloves may not be used in direct contact with food
unless the food is subsequently cooked.
It would appear that law only requires the use of gloves under the circumstances above.
@ Jenny: I agree it’s not standard business practice if people don’t like the owner. It sadly is a standard practice for property owners to boot out businesses when the lease is up and they have other, selfish reasons, to repurpose a building or attract other businesses. I saw a lot of business in the town I live in out here go under because of this. Sadly, a place like Loleta does not need this. Like I said, this is an all around toxic situation that will not end well. Too much vitriol. It is the Humboldt micro-politics I don’t miss. As a baker, it makes me weary of even thinking of starting a business because I could end up being on either side of the coin. Not sure why this article got me all fired up but it did. Sorry to any I offended by saying “shut your mouths”. I really should bridle my passions.
The health inspector didnt have a stick up her butt . That would make it too hard to walk. The meat marktet has been asked by county for years to clean up its act. Just go read the reports. Non compliance with handwashing, no sanitizers on premise no working faucet in the bathroom piles and piles of garbage out back.
@Shannon I think that everyone who is on Pixie’s side would agree with me, that if Jeanne could coexist peacefully in the community, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. When I hear, in detail, from HER mouth NOT Peter’s why it’s makes more business sense to kick out the Meat Market than it does to expand their business into their other Gilded Rose location, then maybe I’ll shut my trap. After all…if they did move, then they could rent out their current space to another business….say a second hand store. I think there is SO much potential for Main St if only the Van Der Zees would stop thinking about themselves and think of the community as a whole. Both businesses are essential, but more importantly is the sense of community that needs to be shown from all.
I’m not going to argue with you any longer about this issue. It’s obvious that you are either a completely anal neat freak, or you are, in fact, the Stick up Butt health inspector.
It’s funny how a well-loved business is being booted from its home, and these scoundrels and trolls on this blog are here punching the victim in the face. Did I say funny? I meant sickening. What the hell is going on in Loleta?
“Biggify?” I think what you mean is “embiggenate.”
No need to argue. The long history of reprorts speak for themselves. Hope you guys do upgrade so it wouldnt be so hard for you to comply with the law. It is an inspectors job to report non complience with the state law. A lot of elderly rely on you for their meat, why take risks? Hope you take them into consideration as they seem to be cheering you on.
@FORMER health inspector/like an expired drivers license; not valid
@former health inspector-what are your current credentials? Glove model? Shame on you for your non-certifed I think I’m so smart attitude…..shhhhhhhhhh……up.
Laws About Grocery Store Meat Cutters Wearing Gloves
There is no law that requires the wearing of gloves while working with food, but restaurants, delis and other similar businesses are required to comply with strict guidelines. If a deli, restaurant or other food establishment does not comply with the guidelines set forth by the FDA and Department of Health Services, they can face citations. These citations can take points away from a food establishment’s grade. All food establishments are graded for compliance in food temperature, food handling, sanitation, personal hygiene and vermin control. Visits are unannounced to ensure restaurants always comply with guidelines.
Regulation
One of the rules set forth by the FDA and the Department of Health Services is that food handlers must wear gloves. When this guideline is ignored and food handlers are caught not wearing gloves, the Department of Health Services can write a citation during a visit. When the citation is written, it deducts points from the score on the health form that is completed by the Department of Health Services.
Read more: Laws About Grocery Store Meat Cutters Wearing Gloves | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/info_8488859_laws-meat-cutters-wearing-gloves.html#ixzz2Hoio1uNJ
no gloves, no apron, no hair net… no thanks
I would like to invite the Loleta Bakery to move to McKinleyville! Pleeeeeze? Over 10,000 residents plus Trinidad/Westhaven passers-through!
“but in the end if his business was to remain financially viable he had to expand”
@a no alluding, he is clearly stating his business is not financially viable. his interpretation of his lack of success is to expand into the financially viable business next door. you may want to actually read the article.
@a. loleta is unincorporated we do not directly see any tax benefit from the business. just indirectly through Countywide budgeting for services.
Whoever you are, complaining about the cleanliness of the meat market, you obviously are on a campaign to help destroy Pixie. And/or you need glasses. The Loleta Meat Market is probably cleaner than most supermarkets. I shop there and do not find any unsanitary conditions. Yes, it is dark…because the walls and floor were made decades ago and are the original wood. It’s called “old fashioned” and city businesses looking for atmosphere would pay a fortune for them. Clue: dark does not mean dirty. Have you ever seen the cutting room? Sparkling! No hot water??? You really think Anyone is going to believe that?
Garbage out back? Isn’t that what dumpsters are for? Oh, and the rodent problem in the bakery was their own garbage. Old bread dumped out the back door without benefit of a dumpster for what reason? I haven’t a clue, as it was left there in an Open plastic trash bag. I personally am witness to that! Give it a rest already…you won’t even sign your name, just on a mission to destroy.
As far as I know, Pixie could have bought the building herself not long ago. But Peter and Jeanne came along and invested in Loleta when no one else would. They are the best thing to happen in Loleta in 30 years, and the behavior of some of Pixie’s so-called friends is embarrassing and disgusting.
Hey Pixie or Jenny why dint you publish your health inspectins? That would shut them up
You may have good things to say or you may have bad things to say. You are entitled to your opinion but to actually bash on either sides is not the point of this whole thing. We are trying to make sure that both business sustain & stay. They are both enjoyed within this town. Yet you can’t just toss a business that helps sustain the community without understanding or knowing what the outcome would/could actually be.
Pixie is a very kind person. Her business is clean. The scum bags on here trying to say otherwise are pathetic. Its been open for 80 years dumb dumbs. A business doesnt survive that long if its unhealthy. We live in a place that is still run by community and belief not just greed and expansion. Its why i am raising my kids here and not somewhere warmer with less rain. Please lets not let a business and person like Pixie and The Meat Market be bullied by a new comer with some money. I wont go to the bakery until they come to their senses and neither will my family or friends.
Anyone else find it ironic that they’re serving doughnuts from Safeway? A huge corporation that could put them both out of business. You know, I guess I’ll just skip Loleta altogether. Safeway has sausage, bread and no ugly protesters. Good work everyone, this is definitely the best way to show our support of local business.
Kegger is Sydney’s friend. They are both border collies. Kegger is a good dog. I miss living in Loleta.
Where am i supposed to buy my doughnuts S.B.? Please do avoid Loleta. In the summer months I’ll buy the locally grown produce that Pixie carries for dirt cheap. I could provide amazing veggies and local meats for my large family at awesome prices. My dog is Keggers friend too. We wouldnt be the same without pixie and kegger.
Hey Laura, if the meat market is filthy, so is the bakery – they share an open space in the back as reported!
Jobs, jobs and jobs?
Ellen Barker – How many insiders should shut-up too?
This “toxic situation” is the epitome of a larger problem that stifles Humboldt County…..as someone upthread stated, “micro management politics”!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jobs. jobs, jobs….that was the “sales pitch” last election cycle for county supervisors in no less than two districts.
So, where are the jobs?
Answer: Not many jobs, just brain farting attempts to brainwash the voters yet again when the voters are down and out, struggling to survive, vulnerable and weak, wanting opportunities, etc…. Humboldt lacks because the leadership lacks and too many people diss to many people!
“Tombstone Shadow”, John Fogerty’s on my back. – HOJ
I never thought I’d live to see right-wingers out holding signs protesting local remnants of the the free market.
Let’s just settle this the old-fashioned way.
@hal… right wingers, liberals, and libertarians; wealthy and welfare; old and young, we were all there. this wasn’t about politics it is about our community.
Unanonymous,
unfortunately, politics is connected..small town politics no less. Seems Americanized business IS all about politics..left, right and center!
Why? Partly local tax revenues, partly profits that yield power, yes power. One less business is less taxes collected. Then again, taxes are already too high for all business, so maybe your onto something that really affects the longterm viability of local businesses in our communities –> Extremely HIGH societal costs WHICH creates a disadvantage to the non natural resource extracting businesses.
You seem correct in that it really is a mixture of philosophies. – HOJ
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to my meat pants.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you to my meat pants.
@UNANONYMOUS / YESTERDAY, 10:18 P.M.
I saw the pics, most of those folks are still republicans…known ’em for years…
And how about that “free market” now???
Help me understand. If the meat market’s lease isn’t renewed, what customers does the bakery think it will be serving? Can the business survive serving mostly out-of-towners? Is the word-of-mouth that began with locals big enough to withstand the locals turning their backs?
I don’t live in Loleta, nor am I a big meat fan. But the issue here is one of basic human decency. I can’t imagine a lot of Loleta residents, and others who know about this news, will want to continue frequenting the bakery.
In Jeanne’s defense whether she is a @#$% or not has absolutely nothing to do with this. She is “part” owner and this was a business decision not a personal one. Options were offered to the Meat Market and for some time it seems.
Furthermore Pixie must have had options to a lease and or even owning that space in the past. The property was for sale for quite some time. She never protected her business.
@anon. part owners with……her husband. lol. and @ at hal…. i was there speaking with my neighbor,, an Obama supporter. yup lots of repubs, and quite a few libertarians down here too. I say again, this is not about politics it is a community showing support for a beloved business.
By law the Meat Market has to give you the last inspection report from Health Dept. By the photos their are so many violations make you want to call up the Health Dept. Maybe the owners dont care for the liabilty. I would guess the buildind dept would shut them both down until things were brought up to code. I see very little stainless steel as per requiered in food processing. The chopping block for meat looks 30 years old like were they banned years ago?
Lets get some facts in order while everyone is talking shit.
I’m vegetarian,but I fully support the meat market.I’ve known Pixie the whole time and even though I was not a customer she fully welcomed me into this community.
Some people have referred to our community as Right Wingers.You are way off base.While you think you’re being PC it turns out that you are passing judgement on people by the way they dress and look.
Aside from the pastries there is only one veggie sandwich on the bakerys menu.I have requested some veggie options at the bakery and I was basically told by Jeannie,in a nice/sarcastic way of course,piss off.
The bakery owners have shown on numerous occasions that they don’t care about business from the locals and have little or no respect for us.
Now for the good one.Peter Van der Zee,the bakerys owner says he’s having a positive impact on drug abuse and improving the community.The truth is Peter is an alcoholic/drug addict thats been in and out of rehabs for a good portion of his adult life.Maybe he can’t handle opening the Gilded Rose because he’s afraid of becoming its best customer.
Wow, the bitterness from the bakery supporters is unbelievable! You accuse the bakery owners of being rude, yet look all these trashy comments!
You folks don’t get it, do you?
I am the former President of the United States of America. Ya’ll know now that I love me some good shock and awe. This little town of Loleta, CA sure has got me feelin’ proud. I love me some good bullying and name-callin’!
Get cockroaches and bad spores and discretely spread them around the store. Photograph these sickening insects and send to Dept of Public Health in Eureka. They’ll send a guy who will write down violations and order a repair. Do this multiple times and they will be shut down.
Mr. Van Der Zee’s personal problems are propaganda at best and shouldn’t be brought into this. Who do you think works at the meat market? Either recently cured or still using drug addicts is my guess. The bar that was closed brought terrible alcoholics and drug addicts out into a town with no law enforcement. I’ve been spending time in Loleta for a good portion of the last 5 years and I’d say the town has cleaned up (less tweakers) and the Van Der Zee’s are some of whom to thank for this. They’ve created 10 times the jobs that the meat market has along with supporting local events via donations from the bakery. And again as we have read and most ignored they did offer options for the Meat Market to continue doing business in Loleta.
Sounds to me like bad business decisions by the meat co. When you sign a lease you generally put in detailed renewal information. For instance, you say if the tenant is in good standing they have the option to renew for a period of “x” years. If the lease didn’t have a renewal option that was a risk they should not have taken. Since they took the risk they should have been aware of the potential consequences and started to make plans over the entire period of the lease rather than waiting for the inevitable 60 day notice and playing the victim card.
If the building was for sale and they didn’t exercise the option to buy it, that would be another missed opportunity that many would equate to a bad decision.
It seems there were a number of poor choices by the owners of Loleta Meat that put them into a bad situation and now they are dividing a community and asking for martyrdom. Thankfully for them, Loleta is filled with rubes who would rather defend bad business practices of “one of their own” than admit that the world is a constantly changing place, including their own little piece of it.
The “outsider” bit is pathetic. It is typical rube talk to chastise people because their grandpa’s grandpa didn’t settle here. People move, it has been happening for thousands of years. If you believe change isn’t a fact of life you are in for a sad, bitter existence as you cling to yesteryear.
Well said by bad decisions. As much as I’d like to see both businesses continue to prosper in Loleta this bit has been left out of the equation. Welcome to the world of business and economics.
If she doesn’t take over a new building maybe a new Charcuterie focusing on local meats(only), organic, and seasonal products will come in to play. I for one would be excited about that.
Open seating between both business’s, like Bayshore mall’s food court.
Gotta agree with bad decisions on this one.
The store has been there 80 years and never bought the building??? If the equipment is built in and so difficult to move, that is all the more reason to protect your business by either buying the building or working out a long term lease. Obviously the owners of the meat market did neither. It is the same as buying a house to protect yourself from increasing rent and the whims of your landlord.
Now, that said, I am also fine with people protesting the bakery’s decision. While the building owners have every right to evict their tenants (the meat market), the people of Loleta have every right to voice their concern and threaten to boycott the bakery if they follow through with the eviction. Who knows, perhaps that will make the bakery reconsider there options.
Hopefully, both businesses will figure out a way to survive.
Citizen Crane – buying a house on mis-information that leads to many foreclosures due to having not enough money to pay over-valued home costs is no different than renting when comparing high costs that saddle lifestyles, other than the bag holding full of debt and no asset.
Essentially, how much money do people need to be forced to pay-up in society on a month to month basis. As a single dude, $600.00 a month for food is fricken ridiculus. Fuel for auto’s is ridiculus. Energy costs, ridiculus. Insurances, ridiculus. Taxes, ridiculus. Health (if ya got it) ridiculus…….and on and on and on. The country is turning from living off the land for nearly free to one that forces people into urban lifestyles where paying money is the only thing important to tax collectors and profiteers. Ya see. profiteers and government raise the costs of society (profiteers are a limited bunch with insider connections who can afford higher costs because they are the limited bunch profitizing because of high societal costs that sucker consumers gobble-up like Thanksgiving Turkey and gravy).
The only way out of the mess is, dare it be said,
DE-POPULATION!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alas though, de-population upsets the opportunities for tax collections and profitizations. Then again, with less people is less competition and less desire to be better than someone else. So, we have a problem – populists versus anti-populists, ouch…..we know what side government agencies and profiteers select to subsidize.
To protest is to get political. Your absolutley on point to say that hopefully this mess gets sorted out. – HOJ
Peter needs to grow a pair. That’s funny. Yeah, and Jeanie is a kook. That being said, what is their end game? They recently bought the old red brick building across from the Cheese factory, a 3 acre site for $100k. What’s the plan? Plan No Plan or just be kooks?
As a former U.S. history teacher, I delight in viewing the exercising of First Amendment rights: the right to assemble, the right to speak freely-without retribution or punishment- to be specific. They are far more important than any individual business. Jeanne van der Zee/ owner of Loleta Bakery
Cut the crap. Opinions are fine. Very few of the preceding comments contain any actual fact. For one, Peter and Jeanie do not actually own the Gilded Rose. Hm..is there possibly another local option for the meat market?
Some of the commentary aimed at the Van Der Zee’s in the name of Free Speech has been downright disgusting. Can’t help but think some people’s motives may go further than just saving poor ol’ Pix, but in general it would help if people just minded their own business for a change.
Note to protesters: Being a “humboldt native” does not help, and may actually harm, your personal credibility.
Heard over Monday coffee:
Q. What do you call a smart person in Loleta?
A. A Tourist.
Too bad, really. Both businesses are regionally known, along with the cheese factory, and Loleta is well worth a visit — most days.
very pretentious of you bluff dweller. smart enough?
3:09, do you even know what the word “pretentious” means?
I didn’t make up the joke, I heard it,
Una, you’re smart enough. No worries.
Vote with your FEET. SIMPLE. GO OR NOT. If there is no business it will close. If you buy, it will keep on. Again… vote with your FEET.
People work hard their whole life, then fall victim to “free-market” predators all the time.
Eureka’s economic growth is mostly profiteers cashing-in on the financial misery of working families.
Over half this nation’s record bankruptcies and foreclosures are due to medical bills.
Where’s the outrage?
Posted this over at Fred’s Humboldt Blog regarding a letter here that Fred linked:
**Loleta Bakery owners speak out
Letter to the editortimes-standard.com/
Created: 01/15/2013 01:53:20 AM PST **
“It was profoundly moving to witness First Amendment rights “in action” this weekend as citizens of Loleta gathered to express support for Pixie Setterlund and her Loleta Meat Market business. The rights to assemble and freedom of speech are far more precious and worth protecting than any business.
Peter and Jeanne van der Zee
owners of Loleta Bakery”
Response:
“Henchman Of Justice” says,
Could not agree more Fred. Over at the NCJ, there was an “unanonymous poster” who, for whatever hair brained idea, thought that the issue was not political. To protest is to “get political”. Then, “unanonyomous” decided to go to various other small blogs to toe the same conceptual line.
Anyhow, your correct in wondering [WHY a “business/building owner” who is kicking out a longer tenured business would waste the paper and ink and time to say something THAT is not a bit more convincing in so far as the “ACTUAL ISSUES AT HAND”]. It does seem to be spiteful, as if rubbing salt into a wound.
Maybe the building owners don’t understand how to communicate forthrightly and honorably.
HOJ will say this – If HOJ was the building owner, he’d just ask the tenants for permission to make public the contract and the options of reality to squash the heat, not write something that is neither here nor there. – HOJ