No Subway in Mill Valley: Revenge of the Yuppies

How do we “preserve” our small town character of Mill Valley?

That was one of the questions raised at the in which the City Council deliberated over an appeal by a a location of the deli chain downtown. (The council .)

This event took place to the great delight of the large crowd that packed the council chambers. While there is a part of me that agrees with the ultimate decision, I also shake my head in disgust at the pompous, NIMBY, insincere, irrational, and knee jerk attitudes of far too many citizens of Mill Valley.  

Small-town character? I’ve lived in Mill Valley for more than 40 years. This town only slightly remembers the town I grew up in during the 1970s. Through the Mill Valley Historical Society, I’ve met dozens of “old timers” who lived here in the 40s and 50s. Not only does the town I grew up in not resemble their "old town,” but the current Mill Valley is like a different planet to them.

Sure, it’s the money. Yet, just because Mill Valley is loaded, with most families making six-figure (or more) incomes, it does not explain entirely why and how Mill Valley has changed. Those reasons are complex and deserve another story to be written. My point is more that it seems laughable that citizens of today claim they want to “maintain the Mill Valley character.” Many who claim this are imports from other counties or states. What do they know about our town's history and small-town charm it has long since lost?

Hats off to councilman Ken Wachtel, who was quoted as saying he went into the meeting undecided. That gives me solace that at least one of our councilmembers can maintain an open mind and not be a simple rubber-stamper for the mob-like, anti-chain mentality of our populous.

While I do in fact support the from Mill Valley, I’d like to acknowledge that if the decision were reversed, I would not have picked up my marbles and gone home. Quite frankly, downtown can use a few more options for eating that won’t break the bank. Thank goodness we have for a reasonably priced burger and the deli for a moderately priced sandwich. 

Perhaps these two would have suffered from the competition, but is that a reason to turn down a proposed business? Opponents listed a number of criticisms of the proposed Subway, including traffic, trash and poor quality food. Oh please! Hold the insincerity and snobbish attitude. (Now, THAT is something I truly miss about old Mill Valley – I promise you, there were far fewer snobs in the 1970s and I suspect even less in the 1940s).

Traffic and trash? How would it be any different from what was there before () or any other local deli that might take its place? Quality of food?  This sounds like the same rubbish I hear from those who’d turn down an In-n-Out Burger. (Oh, we had that battle already!)

News flash to the whining yuppies of Mill Valley… the small town character was lost the day you arrived in your BMW and Land Cruisers.

In conclusion: I want my Baskin-Robbins back!