Common Grounds Won't Be Replaced by Starbucks; Customer Outcry Played Role

Common Grounds Coffee announced at the end of March that they would be closing suddenly. They shared the following message on Facebook to the shock of many: "Our Landlord has refused to renew our lease in favor of a Starbucks. We are suddenly homeless and our last day open will be Easter Sunday."

Loyal customers responded loudly on Facebook and in an online petition. They also shared their thoughts in the comments sections of a few articles we published.

• 'Our Landlord Has Refused to Renew Our Lease in Favor of a Starbucks'
• Video: Why Common Grounds is Closing and Where it May be Headed

Common Grounds did indeed close its doors on Easter Sunday with plans of finding another location a few months later, but they announced this week that they'll be staying put after all. A pet store will fill the current location as planned, but Common Grounds will reopen next door, which is where the Starbucks would have popped up.

Here's the owners' statement: 

Dear Friends, (customers seems insufficient with regards to this matter)

Thanks to your overwhelming support, courage and taking time out of your busy lives to write letters of support we have come to an agreement with the landlord. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve you at our new location adjacent out old location next door! We look forward to welcoming you in three month's time and personally thank you for your support. This would not be possible without your help. Grateful, Son & Michelle

The owners attribute the agreement to the massive community response. Here's a bit of what customers had to say on Facebook after the owners' recent announcement that they would not be leaving south Davis. Feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments below or on the Common Grounds Facebook page. 

• Gina Marie: I just heard from the big boss that Starbucks backed out of negotiations after all the negative publicity so this is thanks to all of you.
• Michael Johnson: Name another town were citizens stand up against the giant saving their community coffee-house? This happened in Davis, CA. Common Grounds has been saved after their forced relocation infuriated their customers of 12 years. The good citizens of Davis didn't sit on their asses doing nothing. They came together as a community called the media protesting and inundated those responsible for this travesty with a heavy and relentless bombardment of letters ... Davis is different in a wonderful way. You don't seek out Davis, you become drawn to it. It's the good citizens of Davis who make you want to live in no other place. Their, kindness, civic responsibility and goodness has a reward. It's been rewarding seeing this local drama played out with the nice people being victorious.
• Denise Fong Costa: Happy to hear you will reopen in 3 months at the old Mermaids spot!! Thanks for staying in the neighborhood!
• Tricia McDaniel Bosco I'm so happy for you and all the other cg "friends". It's going to be better than ever. The cg team is deserving of all the community love. Good things do happen! Now, we wait....
• Susan M. Rivera: This news made my day! Common grounds is not just a coffee shop, it's a community gathering place. Son and Michelle have also given so generously to the community, especially to MME! Can't wait to see the new space unveiled and to resume my regular patronage!
• Heidy Kellison: Thankful and relieved. However, Regency still owes you and this community an apology.
• Tina Lyon: Wonderful...maybe we do make a difference!