Dear Mayor Wolosin and Councilmembers,

From before I was born, until he retired, my father owned a retail store in town. Reading the emails submitted by local merchants in favor of reopening the 600 block of Santa Cruz, I feel compelled to offer my support.

Operating a retail establishment or restaurant is extremely hard work, with all of the stresses typically resting on the shoulders of one or two people. In light of labor shortages and high rents, especially here on the Peninsula, most local businesses are likely operating on small margins.

Given that most patrons of downtown businesses come by car, restricting vehicular traffic on one block of Santa Cruz puts an undue burden on many local businesses, save for the few who benefit from the extra space of one lane of roadway.

I support of outdoor dining, and allowing our local restaurants to expand to adjacent parking spots, but believe that the elimination of a lane of traffic on only one block is neither fair to most local businesses, nor advantageous to those driving to shop and dine downtown.

I hope you consider expanding options for outdoor dining, while also reopening all of Santa Cruz Ave to cars.

Thank you.

Marcy Abramowitz