Down to Business: Cars Getting Towed from BofA Lot, Business Expo and Oasis Seeking New Venue

Calling all Wells Fargo customers! The bank’s branch on Petaluma Boulevard South and C is closing December 16, although the branch on Keller and Western Avenue will still be open, according to bank employees. A new tenant has yet to be announced, but we will keep you posted.

And speaking of banks, it wasn’t enough that Bank of America recently announced that they would start charging their customers a $5 monthly debit fee. As of last week, we’re getting reports of cars being towed from BofA’s parking lot on Kentucky Street, a popular parking spot for those going out downtown in the evening.

Patch reached lot owner Elias Husary, who confirmed that cars that are parked in the lot afterhours will be towed. Husary said the decision was based on protecting him from any potential liabilities.

“There is trash, broken bottles, vomit and beer glasses in the lot and all of that poses a lot of liabilities to me,” Husary said. “If someone backs into a car because they are drunk, I can be held liable.”

Husary said he put out notices two weeks before to let everyone know of the new policy.

“I’m not against businesses and very pro-Petaluma, but this has been an ongoing issue for a while and we thought this was the best way to deal with it,” he said.
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Oasis, an outreach project of that opened last year, is looking for a new venue after losing their lease at 141 Second Street. Oasis provides meditation and art classes, talks and retreats with the purpose of helping people find a spiritual community and has benefitted from low-cost rent since its inception, courtesy of Basin Street Properties.

The group has to move by October 20 and is looking for a new venue with free or very cheap rent. For more information, contact Pastor Tim Kellgren at timkellgren@gmail.com. Repeated calls to Basin Street Properties about the new tenant were not returned.
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In other business news, Petaluma Patch will be one of more than 100 businesses with booths at the Business Expo going on today at the 4-7pm. The expo is a great chance to catch up with the latest from local businesses and network. Plus there are samples, prizes and drawings for gift certificates. Entrance is free.