In this economy, why is the Town of Windsor and other knuckle heads trying to stop jobs. This is America, the home of the Free and Equal Opportunity but not in the Town of Windsor!!

A town of complexities:

Some chains might anchor an otherwise bland and revolving downtown but...

Starbucks a block away from Cafe Noto? (Zoning??, chains, protection??)

Holiday Inn Express, Hampton, and another Holiday Inn on the way???

A downtown full of funny little stores that seem to go in and out of business on a moments notice. (For those of us that live here you know why).

Some very nice restaurants............and all of this for whom?

From a resident's perspective it seems like we are stuck between being what we want to be rather than what we are.......a staging area for the ever growing tourist industry in the area.

The Town Green DOES resemble Disneyland.

Will Denny's shoot another arrow into what we want to be?

I am not sure what that is.

I like pancakes. So do my kids.

Right wingers crying over cheap, unhealthy food. That is a form of snobism too you know...Being self righteous over a $6.00 meal.

The problem with Windsor is that it is too full of itself. It's trying to be like Walnut Creek, allowing certain chain businesses but not allowing others but mainly pushing its local, overpriced, mediocre establishments.

Windsor kept Jack-in-the-Box out of town a few years ago because of the influence of local businesses, Windsor is going to sink itself if it doesn't broaden its scope. Not to mention, the tax money and jobs are nothing to complain about.

Oh, and I remember a few months ago Windsor said they were open to most types of businesses but away from the town green, this is in the Safeway complex, away from the green, near a hotel and an applebees and countless fast food restaurants and a new pizza place.

Wake up people!

The high end places are just following in big business and bank footsteps, they are too (self)important to fail, ya know.....

And unless it is the "special" slam or something, Denny's isn't all that inexpensive!

However, that 24 hour thing is definitely worth something!

There is more to come. Kimco the owner of the Safeway Shopping Center wants nothing but corprate company's that will sign 20 year leases. They have no intention of leasing to Ma and Pa stores.This is why the mall is empty. The rents are beyond the limits and no bussiness can survive there.Good luck Denny's and let's not let it become a vegrant headquarters like all of the other Denny's.

Frankly Windsor has been becoming way too pretentious. It should be renamed Little Healdsburg. If high-end outlets and eateries can't cut it in the present climate then so be it. Who decided they were entitled to exist? If they were selling a product at an appropriate price they'd be in business. I don't eat at Denny's but I'm way more likely to eat there than at Langley's!

Too bad you have negative attitude toward Denny's. Don't you know any pancake all coming from the four. It doesn't matter how the company advertise the healthy pancake. It is a joke. All of them have high Carbohydrate. Go to reasearch from food nutrition book. No matter what kind of food if you do not exercise you will be fat and unhealthy style.
We are living in the free market competition. Windsor should be happy and lucky to have some businessman is willing to invest the Denny's. Do not forget, Denny's will create at least hundred of jobs. The small business around Denny's will also get the benefits from their employees to buy something and much more. It doesn't matter from Windsor or any town nearby will get piece of benefits. Windsor will get the taxes, income taxes, fees and much more. I read all the messages and most of you are very nice and positive attitude. Thank you to the positive and educated people live in our Windsor. Except small group(some does not live in Windsor) has jealousy, conflict interest idea, political sense and created all kinds of negative comments. We should be all combine our effort to build our Windsor and moving forward. It doesn't matter Denny's or not, we shoulb be proud and support them. Jobs and investors will flood into our town.
Windsor citizen and positive attitude!

Joe the Ho Lieberman is a crybaby.
I like the idea of Narsi's in Windsor.Maybe Denny's should move to the mall with Home Depot and Walmart. That's a good match for the area. Narsi's is better for the Safeway mall and Windsor Green.

If I was looking for a good place to go and get Food Poisoning...Denny's would be at the top of the list.
For all of you people that think that the people of Windsor are whining they aren't...They are just looking out for the quality of places that go in. There are plenty of chain restaurants that could go into Windsor that would be more "Family/Senior Affordable".
It took Windsor a long time to make it on the map of places to visit...they just want to make sure that they will be remembered for something good.

Leslie,
you're too smart for this forum. A nice Andy's (who tried to get in here) and trader Joes, both.... one could be on Shiloh and another could be on the Windsor exit. Then maybe a book store and a "screamin Mimi's. We could show a little class.....but no one seems to care about bringing the standards up. So unfortunately we will be known as Trailer Trash North...It's a shame!

Isn't this the same town with a Wal-Mart?

I love Denny's. The grand slam is the best cure for a 3am hangover.

I agree with you who need the extra losers Dennys will bring to town Why dont we get something like trader joes or something healthy. Pancakes??

Towns that exercise "one size fits all" promote social and economic censorship. Consumers, a mixed bag of socioeconomic individuals who populate all towns, encourage competition through their purchases. One of the reasons businesses close is due to the lack of that particular consumer base in their area, or the unwillingness of that consumer base to travel to their area. Another reason businesses fold is due to competition. My point? Lack of competition hurts consumers, and the consumers are your neighbors and fellow townspeople. Ultimately, the consumers choices will determine what businesses will develop and survive in any town.

I don'g get why people in Windsor freak out about such stupid stuff, people complain that they have no jobs, well here is a NEW CO to create jobs, it's a great place for HS students to get that first job and it's close to home, it will generate out of town visiters to come stay at the hotels, it will draw attention and shoppers to our local stores as Healds and Cloverdale have NOTHING like this, which in turn draws attention and sales to all the local shops, which keeps you open people? get over your obsessive complaining about stupid stuff like this, its you people who complain about it yet stand next to me in line at walmart again complaining that the lines are too long because everyone is shopping there, and you wish we had a cosco and target because you would not have to drive all the way to SR. People are shopping let them shop that is why you own a business. I think we need a 24 hour place here. What's the bid deal it's a prime spot too, it's not were "residents" are going to be affected! this is SMART business people. Its's a way for you to MARKET your companies. USE DENNYS to also draw shoppers to your stores.

What are the potential consequences in regards to law enforcement patrolling loiterers, et al 24/7? If someone is up all night, it's not too much for them to drive to north Santa Rosa...

Is this as creative as it gets? Dennys? Epic levels of laziness. Why not start an original low cost 24/7 concept. The people of Windsor DO NOT want cookie cutter BS. And for those who think you do- you need to be saved from yourselves. Windsor is at a pivitol moment in development. Fight for it's unique personality!! This is just another step toward mediocrity. Oh, and watch the town planners feel free to live in Healdsburg and Fountain Grove but collect their paychecks happily through your Windsor tax money. Send this project back to the midwest suburbs where it belongs!

Oh I forgot to add...Why don't you bleeding heart "SoCo" douchebags bring Narsi's into town...Hey it'll be another over-priced establishment that will have a short shelf life! lol

Wow...I can't believe this has become such an argument! If Denny's will take business away from the "local" places then that says something about said "local" places. Most of the spots I've dined at in Windsor serve up basically the same type of food only DOUBLE the price. Wanna know why these establishments aren't surviving? It's because they're over-priced. I highly doubt the same crowd who ate at Langly's is going to frequent Denny's...Get over it. Windsor is growing...The people of Windsor WANTED that! If this is your biggest worry then consider yourself lucky.

I don't think it makes much difference one way or another.

What's the difference between Adels in Healdsburg and Denny's anywhere?

Sam

Good, as long as they keep it out of my town, Healdsburg!! LOL Windsor is a chain town, perfect with Walmart, Home Depot Etc Etc Etc

Denny's - in Santa Rosa
Denny's - in Petaluma
Denny's - in Corte Madera for goodness sake
I wouldn't call any of the above three towns trashy just because they have Denny's.

Regarding Oliver's, they don't have the capital to open in Windsor right now is what I've heard.

The fact that Denny's is going in where Safeway is, is fine. Don't like it? Don't go there, this hand wringing of the leftwingers is amusing.

So, don't go there. Let the market decide. Oh and don't shop at Safeway either. It's a bad ol' "chainstore".

This makes me sick! The parking lot from hell can't handle all the crack heads in town hanging out there, let alone the regular safeway people! And DENNY'S,how gross is that? What atrashy town Windsor has become.

I have to agree with most of the people here, Windsor does need a place that is open 24/7. While I am not a huge Denny's fan, I think it will provide jobs during a tough time and the location (non-parking wise)is not bad. It is directly across from the 55+ housing development, which is primarily Denny's target market (Brilliant on the owners part). I have known Jack for a long time and I fully support what he is trying to do with opening a Denny's in Windsor. He has donated a lot to this community and while the choice of restaurant I am not thrilled with I still feel it will be beneficial. While I tend to share the feeling that Denny's is "white trash" (for lack of a better word)Windsor is not exactly Napa people. We already have chain restaurants, Litte Caesar's just re-opened, there is Mary's and Subway and many others. Way to go Jack and I wish you success!

I find Denny's food distasteful but if some one else want's to eat there fine with me.

As a Windsor business owner I can see both sides. I haven't eaten at a Denny's in 20 years because of the quality of food. In this economy people are looking for a deal. I would be more worried about the clientele it would bring to Windsor.

I am surprised to see how quick people are to defend the food at Denny's. I wish the guy would use his capital to open up an independent 24 hour diner, but I can understand that it is easier to open a Denny's, as I am sure franchise owners receive alot of support. But really people, the food? It gives me a tummy ache just thinking about it. And I go to Willie Bird's for breakfast pretty regularly. That's about as dive-y as you can get. (But delicious and cheap!)

You meant to say "social darwinism" not "darwinism" Heather. two different things.

The "town village"?!?!?

Stop it already, I can't handle this...

That's hillarious. Next thing you know someone will say "windsor" and "culture" in the same sentence! :)

Get real, its Windsor. Nice little place to raise a family, and guess what? There's a wal*mart, KFC, and every other chain under the sun, what do you think you are protecting?

Oh, how's that McDonalds next to your "village"? Bwahahahahahahaa!!!

This would be a perfect addition to the o-so-bland Windsor scene and hey, it beats the heck out of late night car dining at the Bell, the Jack or the Mac.....

As long as the keep it away from the Town Village, I'm OK with it. Of course, there is a price for cheapness and the folks near it will be paying it...

someone said; "A Denny's in Windsor would cheapen the town's reputation"

Having grown up here, no it wouldn't. Windsor is the home of "white flight" and a cheaply built facade downtown. Its reputation is already solid.

Is it cute? Yeah, kind of.

Is it above Denny's "class"? Laughable.

By that rationale, Safeway, Raley's and every other chain that produces "lower quality" food (Why not just have an Olivers Market?) isn't welcome in Windsor.

I think the missed spelling was the auditor or advertising dept. false. Every letter or media must passed by and entered by the auditor first. They must know English better normal people because due with the public. It may be not come from the Denny's owner. Whoever keyed into computer must doing wrong. Right?

and KC's are too expensive for a lot of people. If you want to pay those prices, fine. I don't. I can't wait for Denny's. Welcome to Windsor! You'll be packed. I'm tired of getting ripped off for a decent breakfast.

A Denny’s restaurant in our near future in Windsor. My question is WHY-- WHY??

Make a quick count, there are already fifty (50) food establishments in Windsor. I cannot imagine why we need another franchise food mill in town.

Three Starbucks knocked out the independent coffee houses. Applebees is already squeezing the little locals. A Denny’s will certainly kill off the remaining small restaurants in town.

Windsor is a fine town. Let’s keep it that way. Don’t turn us into a giant strip mall.

Are you serious? As a former Windsor resident I can state with no uncertainty that it’s not the posh culture laden town that some seem to suggest. An individual wants to open a business that fills a need, an inexpensive 24 hour option that is currently unavailable. If he has the money and the gumption he should be able to do so.

Furthermore I would argue that the "mom and pop" options aren't much better. Have you eaten at KC's on the Green? If I was a low income family of 4 I certainly wouldn't want to take my family out for a Sunday breakfast of $13 grease laden omelets.

Bottom Line if pre packaged frozen food doesn't suit your particular culinary standards...THEN DON'T GO. If you believe that the town needs another KC's, Omelet Express or additional $60 breakfast option I hope that you are able to open one without harassment from the town's residents.

It'd be nice to have a place closer to home for late night dining and I'm sure it'll do well with all of the Windsor and Healdsburg people looking for somewhere to go after work or a late movie. I just hope there will be better night service at this one than the one off Coddingtown.

I live in SR and have family that lives in Windsor. I have treated them at both Omelette Express and KC's Grill. Since I paid the bill both times I can tell you that they are both overpriced. The reason they don't want Denny's in town is cuz they want to keep ripping people off. Don't like competition? Move to Russia.

What about the Coffe Shop/retaurant at the Dry Creek Exit in Healdsburg? They are a coffee shop, but they have a lot more class than Denny's. Why not raise the bar? Yes we need jobs, but don't we have an obligation to offer a more positive environment? Before your judge me, try sitting in the Denny's on Steele, then the one on Santa Rosa Ave, (both by the freeway) We are in the driver's seat. we do not have to be so desperate that we accept anything that comes along!!!!

im personally for something to eat in Windsor 24 hours...but when the guy running it cant spell "excellent" in his help wanted add im not sure he's qualified to run it

Granny - do you really think it matters to the unemployed if the place offers "high class" jobs or "low class" jobs? Jobs are needed, period. And let's not forget, Windsor was home to hard working farm workers before it tried to become North Marin. This "wine country" includes those who do your dry cleaning, pick your grapes and vegetables, bag you groceries. This is not a "hihg class" town (although the town green looks like downtown Disneyland). Without the lower and lower-middle class, you would have to pick your own grapes for your wine.

It's Windsor for god's sake. Come on, Denny's and Windsor, belong together like stink on a monkey.

The people who think it's a good idea are too lazy or uneducated to see the long term damage. It is a "white trash" idea. And as for providing jobs.....these are not high quality jobs. In fact probably the lowest quality you can get. Had I known this was on the horizon, I would of patronized the Baskin Robbins more...even though their service was very poor! I had been told it was going to be a discount pet store, which I think would of been a much better idea!!!!

Just because Windsor isn't "elite", doesn't mean we should give up on it and just throw any crap in there and see what sticks. When have you ever seen a Denny's attached to a shopping center? Who is approving this? Denny's is suppose to be next to a freeway exit, and usually by a motel/hotel? Where was the city council when this was approved? They had a hissy when "The Holiday Inn" wanted to come in. They claimed that it would bring in druggies by the school. They had to build an ugly fence around it (and expensive). There is no continuity to their decisions. Windsor is becoming a big hodge podge mess! What the Fruck??? I've seen a 24 hour coffee shop in shopping centers at the entrance, away from the actual center, but IN the shopping center? How do you expect the existing breakfast places to compete with a 1.99 Grand Slam??? Do you know how many you have to sell to get the same tax revenue as a high quality omelette from "Omelette Express?" I guess Don should of ran for city council in Windsor. It's sad that his business in Santa Rosa can do so well....but his Windsor location is dying. Perhaps if he hung some art, used some flashy paint, and made it to not look like a cafeteria it would help! I don't understand why we have such a lame city council with such white trash ideas. They are making Rohnert Park look like Marin. And this new owner seems to think that explaining will improve things...Really???

Take a look at the Steele lane location. Shopping carts , hobos, crime,....when you serve a bottomless cup of coffee at all hours, what kind of people do you think it will attract??? Perhaps drug dealers meeting to do their business, because it won't attract attention??? I wish I had moved 5 years ago when I had the chance. I'm disgusted!!!

I'm still trying to get my head wrapped around how one would go about cheapening Windsor's image. We're talking about WINDSOR, not Woodside! Like the man said, Langley's, Denny's. I would like to know who goes to both - regularly.

The owner of Whole Foods is a right-wing crybaby. He was crying in his sack of money that folk who can't afford health care shouldn't get it. Big crocodile tears but tears none the less.

I agree that this issue is more about the current economy and bad timing than it is about the Denny's brand or the quality of their food. A 24 hour restaurant ANYWHERE north of Santa Rosa is a darn good idea.

A Denny's in Windsor would cheapen the town's reputation. They serve up "affordable", prepackaged, frozen, canned garbage; dead food. Supporting local businesses can provide jobs. I hope Windsor does not allow another low class corporate whore into the neighborhood.

Owners of local businesses are scared because they know Denny's is better than their little restaurants. Welcome to town, Denny's!

As a resident of Windsor for the last 22 years, I feel that Dennys does against what Windsor has worked so hard to do. People should wonder why there isnt any 24 hour eateries in Windsor. Because all the ones before it have failed. There are eateries like Omlette express, KC's bar and grill, Starr town, and the SOCO cafe. All of these are in windsor with similar food.
They are thinking of putting the Dennys into a already congested shopping center. With parking already a horror in the shopping center, it also leads tot he question of if Windsor will be able to keep the Goodwill truck, now in the back parking lot of what used to be Baskin Robbins. Also looking at the placement of this eatery who would it help? It is on the drag that many of our children walk on everyday. Dennys food is known to have more than enough calories and sodium for one day in one meal.
This is a business that Windsor as a town does not need.

ITA, I am all for it, infact people here have been asking for something like Dennys for years we dont have ANY thing here that is 24 hours nor do we have much in the way of breakfast places to eat. I think that it will do VERY well here in Windsor. I think it will generate good business both for themselves and the local business as well, that hotel across the street will do well having a place for people to have breakfast before they check out adn wont have to rent a car, just simply walk across the street.

I understand. Well being a nonsmoker I'm not enamored about a smoke shop, but Denny's? Why not? It provides jobs, many tourists like to eat there for breakfast, and it's open 24/7.

As someone who works in Windsor (but thank god, doesn't LIVE here), the people who reside here like their little, culture-less Windsor bubble. Remember the smoke shop that they ran out of town? They don't want to sully their perfect little city with anything remotely low class.

It would be nice to have a 24 hour restaurant in Windsor. However, I do not know know where it could be located. I do frequent local places and support the ploaces already established. After 10 PM at night, in Windsor, everything is closed.

Can't be worse that applebees, or divine in Healdsburg, anyone eaten that crap lately, I'd rather starve than subject myself to rancid oil for fries and old meat, old bun....

Hmm. I think SoCo should be a fine place for a Denny's - very little chance of racial discrimination in our rather white county.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denny's

Oh wait, now I remember, I won't eat there because of their pre- and post- lawsuit bias issues.

I don't think it's the left-wing cry-babies making a fuss, but the established businesses protecting their assets. Business people tend not to be left-wing cry-babies.

What is the issue? People with a Marinite attitude? That is how this State got into the problems that it is in now, ignoring the fact that not everyone is wealthy who lives and eats here.

The real problem is not Denny's, it is people who want to control everything, every aspect of our lives.

For those out there with money to burn, don't eat there, go to John Ash and blow $100+ on a full dinner. Better yet, put some gas in your tank and take a road trip to The French Laundry. I personally only eat at Denny's when I travel, just for a quick bite of something that didn't come from a drive-thru. The food quality isn't bad for the price, either.

LOL @ the foodie snobs snubbing this idea...As the previous poster said, if you don't like it don't patronize it! Simple as that. And in this "SoCo foodie"s opinion, if I'm dining at 2am I don't want foie gra...I want Moons Over My Hammy....Get over it yuppies and worry about something more important.

I am not a big fan of Denny's. At least not any of the restaurants in Sonoma County. (Poor consistency, poor service). If they can get good cooks and stay consistent, it might be ok. New jobs, great! Open 24 hours, great! It would be an added bonus for people travelling through town (or those who work odd shifts)to have a place to stop and grab a bite in the middle the night.

Its good for Windsor, if I want to pay 6$ for a small glass of orange I'll go to Omelette Express, if I want to pay 6$ for an entire meal, I'll go to Denny's

Either way, their 'food' is pretty nasty. Cheap now, expensive in the long run.

What's wrong with providing JOBS for Windsor? I swear the leftwing crybabies are unbelievable.

What's the problem? I don't get it. If you don't like Denny's, don't eat there. Simple.

There are lots of stores I would never patronize, but I can't imagine wanting to prevent others from exercising their choice in the matter.

In our nations current economic times if restaurants do not adjust to keep their expected cliental then we are bound to lose some eateries.
During times when people shop from the dollar menu and take leftovers to work instead of hitting up the local taco bars a place like Denny’s moving into Windsor as Langley’s changes hands is not a big surprise. People of the wine country should not be shocked to see lower priced places to eat pop up like 5.99 Little Caesar’s. Looks like the local Omelet Express now has some competition.

Let's see. Langley's.....$60.00 for dinner.
KC's Downtown Grill $18.00. Denny's $7.99. Do the math.