Politics & Government

Greg St. Clair: 'San Carlos Can Support More Quality Restaurants'

The owner of Town says sales at his San Carlos restaurant were just under $8M last year.

In a refreshing break from tradition, Mayor Matt Grocott abdicated the podium and microphone at the annual San Carlos Chamber of Commerce State of the City event last month, and turned the program over to business, education, and city leaders.

“You’re not going to hear very much from me tonight,” Grocott told a packed audience at the Hiller Aviation Museum on February 21.

“Tonight you’ll hear from other leaders in our community,” and at that, Grocott stepped aside and cued up a clever video featuring him and Vice Mayor Bob Grassilli chatting about city matters over a cup of coffee at Plantation Coffee Roastery.

Find out what's happening in San Carloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Click on the video to the right for a montage of the event.

In the video, the councilmen’s discussion of various city topics segued into the introduction of the next live speaker.

Find out what's happening in San Carloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

First up was Greg St. Clair, of the Avenir Restaurant Group, parent company of Town. St Clair, who is a San Carlos resident said annual sales at his Laurel Street restaurant have increased by $5M since opening in 1995 as A Tavola. Town sales were just under $8M last year.

“Town is one of the highest volume restaurants outside of San Francisco along the Peninsula,” St. Clair commented.

He added that sales at Town outnumber those at his other two restaurants.

“There’s something about San Carlos and the sense of community that we don’t experience in the other cities,” he added.

 “Town serves as more than just an economic interest for the city. It gives the city an identity and a gathering point.”

St. Clair said he’s confident San Carlos can support more quality restaurants, adding that although the city has some aging infrastructure and parking issues, city leaders have taken a realistic approach to dealing with issues that affect downtown businesses. He sees the proposed Transit Village and Wheeler Plaza projects as very positive for the city’s growth.

“I look forward to the future---we’re going to have another good year.”

Check back with San Carlos Patch for State of the City presentations by other community leaders.

For more San Carlos news, check out these stories:

  • Dine and Dash Suspect Nabbed in San Carlos
  • Over Asking: White Oaks Home Sells for $1.4M
  • Minimum Age Requirement Doesn't Stop White Oaks Twins
  • Women of Aviation Week Hits Cruising Altitude
  • San Carlos ReStore Turns A Profit for Habitat for Humanity


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