Progress comes to 'progressive' Berkeley

By Thomas Lifson

Something useful is getting done in Berkeley, despite the best efforts of the Banana crowd (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone). This hole in the ground represents real progress.

hole in the Bekeley ground

Soon the hole will be filled with a brand new Trader Joe's store. For those of us who are allergic to gluten, TJ's is a welcome oasis of supply for all sorts of gluten-free foods. It is also a place where one can pick-up a fairly healthy heat-and-eat meal when one is in a hurry.

drawnings from Trader Joe's

One would think that a store featuring lots of organic produce, located in a neighborhood with plenty of walk-in traffic, offering in addition 148 apartments, would be welcome in Berkeley, a city which passionately hates the idea of driving in your car to a suburban store. Which is what I have had to do to take advantage of TJ's excellent offerings.

But no. It has been a struggle. The last round was fought and lost by the Bananas. I am hopeful the obstructionists will stay quiescent, but in Berkeley that is never a sure thing.,

Chalk up a half step forward for Berkeley.