Annie Tsai

I heard this a lot the past few weeks — “We need more shops,” or, “I’m bummed they closed,” or, my favorite, “I’m so sad, I went to buy a cake there every year.” There’s a reason why retail and “main street” storefronts in general have been on a decline the past nearly three decades, and that is this: a once a year (or periodic) purchase is not going to sustain any local brick and mortar business in today’s economy. 

I walked the aisles at Draeger’s the day after I heard the news, and very much relished all of the different types of imported air dried specialty pastas, shelves of olive oils and vinegars, and an incredible selection of international chocolates. While I would love to be able to fill my pantry with all of these things, the cost of raising a toddler today is twice what it was less than a decade ago so we are a family that will gladly window shop but only periodically treat ourselves. 

In our area, even with a 75% rise in median household income, the cost of living has surged ahead, outpacing income growth by 15% over the past decade. So, perhaps naturally, in efforts to stretch the value of take home pay, Americans and millions of other global citizens have flocked to the likes of Amazon Prime for free shipping to your doorstep, megastore e-commerce margins, and infinite inventory to the tune of $37.8 billion in revenue in 2024. 

Draeger’s seemed to be a counterbalance to the three other wonderful grocers walking distance away — Suruki Supermarket, Dean’s Produce and Mi Rancho Supermarket — and served what in many ways is a completely different demographic. But years of changing consumer behavior and weighty macroeconomic forces have wielded themselves on “Main Street” retail so it’s fair to question if the 60,000 square-foot space in San Mateo still made sense. It’s for this reason that I was somewhat surprised to see such a strong reaction to Draeger’s announcement on Jan. 11, 2025, it was closing their San Mateo location. Was it nostalgia, or something else? 

Regardless of the answer, stakeholders have made quick work once learning of the closure — San Mateo Chamber, the city of San Mateo, Lane Partners and others have been in conversation about how the space can be utilized in the shorter term so it doesn’t sit empty. Mentions of potential all-day night markets or hawker fares have been tossed around, and would be a welcome addition to the downtown scene. 

When it comes time to a longer-term tenant for the near-future project, which includes the 17,000-square-foot retail space that was originally designed as a collaboration between Draeger’s and Lane Partners, there is hope that Lane will be able to find a business that fills the niche that Draeger’s embodied for the community — a special place where you could go to get lost in daydreams and perhaps treat yourself or a friend. As Marcus Gilmour from Lane describes the potential — “a space that adds to the community and feels like a benefit.” 

The question I have for you is this: What kind of downtown do we want for our cities? It will take time to put all the puzzle pieces of retail, restaurants and experiences together, starting with visioning through downtown plans like what San Carlos recently completed and San Mateo has plans for. But no plan, no matter how thoughtful, can succeed without the community. Local businesses rely on regular, reliable patronage to survive — they simply cannot compete with the convenience and pricing of e-commerce or big-box stores without it. To bring “vibrant” downtowns to life we, as a community, must choose to shop local, treat ourselves occasionally and invest in the businesses that make our cities unique.

As of tomorrow, we enter the year of the Wood Snake on the Lunar Calendar — and it feels fitting for the moment we are in. The year is a time of subtle transformations, strategic decision making, and long-term planning. Much like Draeger’s closure and the shifting landscape of downtown retail, this year invites us to reflect on where we’ve been and carefully plan for where we’re going. 

Like the snake itself, this year is about wisdom, patience and adaptability — urging us to shed old skins and embrace new opportunities. The Wood Snake’s energy emphasizes thinking before acting, as well as embracing creative ideas and personal growth. This year isn’t about rushing into changes but rather laying a solid foundation for the future. Strategic moves and meticulous planning will reap rewards, while impulsive decisions and fear of failure can lead to unnecessary setbacks. How serendipitous that the Wood Snake blesses us as our downtowns undergo their own transformations — reminding us to be adaptable and intentional about what we hope to create.

Happy Lunar New Year to all!