Continue employment for Foodmaster employees must surely be a committed humanitarian condition precedent for any change of ownership.

Get this deal done. Take care of the employees and bring on whole foods.

Cunah, et al...don't sour this one.

The CNC does not have the power to tell anyone who they should hire!! Why is it that everyone seems to cower down and get on their knees with open mouths just feed these moron's egos!!

What if they choose not to hire currently employees? What are you going to do Tom Cunah? Tell your licensing buddies in Boston not to approve the deal? You fraud of a freaking backroom politician!!

CNC, why haven't you updated your site with monthly minutes, so people like myself who work and can't make your meetings read what's going on? Why hasn't any of the precinct representatives sent out fliers asking for our input?

Is it true that current board members think the CNC should be dissolved, as overheard in the Johnnies parking lot a couple months back? There is zero unity within this board and filled with a bunch of blowhards.

Minutes Link:
http://www.charlestownbusiness.com/cnc/cnc-minutesmonthly-meetings.html
As stated on their website: "Meeting Minutes will be posted after they are approved at the following month's General Meeting and will be posted the next day after the General Meeting." Sept, 2011 is the last update. How many meetings since then? Why no public record of these meetings? Something smells like Johnnies seafood!! ROTTEN!!!

Wake up Charlestown and get rid of this phony organization!!

Whats going to happen to the low income familys and elderly that cannot afford whole food prices and have no transportation to a more affordable chain. Johniees isnt cheap but whole foods is worse.

I just don't live well enough for Whole Foods to make sense. I like my Diet Coke, my Lays chips, my Edy's ice cream. To say nothing of my Glad, Bounty, Cottonelle, Fantastik and Tide. Can't get any of that at Whole Foods, can I?

"Whole Paycheck" that's what it should be called... Mayor Menino should intervene and not allow this to happen, there are too many lower income people in the town w/no place else to shop. Has anyone thought of finding a different site for this Whole Foods, so that those who can afford it, can shop there instead?

I understand that Whole Foods does not carry many of the standard brands that the majority of the community uses...most of us do like oreo's from time to time. : ) However, for those of us not on the EBT program, Johnnies prices are already more expensive than Stop and Shop and Shaws. I avoid going there because of price vs. quality. If I am going to pay that much for strawberries, I would like them to last more than the afternoon before going moldy. That being said, a middle ground market would probably make the most sense. This will be interesting. Thank you for keeping us up to date!

Whole Foods would be a godsend for those of us who are tired of the wilted, overwatered produce at Johnnie's and coming home to discover that the meat we just purchased is brown underneath and swimming in slime.

I, too, use national brands (Coke product, mainstream cleaning products, paper goods, etc.) but for the opportunity to have quality meat and produce in the neighborhood, I would gladly make a monthly trip to Costco or Stop and Shop to stock up on nonperishables like this. Peapod delivery is another convenient option, and affordable if you consider the gas savings and transportation cost.

There is also an opportunity for CVS and Ace to step up with an expanded selection of the mainstream products that Whole Foods doesn't carry.

Whole Foods has the most expensive groceries in Boston. What are the mid-and low-income Charlestown residents going to do when they cannot afford to shop at their local grocery store? If Whole Foods is allowed into our community, we MUST have an understanding that they WILL adapt to the needs of the population of THIS community, not do business as usual. Charlestown is not the "Republic of Cambridge"!

Whole Foods doesnt need to do any such thing. For every person that complains about it being too expensive, there are at least two that will welcome whole foods - business as usual. The world will not and cannot cater to everyone. If you believe you cannot afford whole foods, then shop somewhere else. If you're excited about being able to shop for quality food in your neighborhood, you could be in luck.

I agree that the good employees should keep their jobs; There should be an employee evaluation process and the good employees should continue their employment. As for the teenage girls who only talk to or make eye contact with the other employees and completely ignore the patrons who are standing right in front of them, they can hit the bricks. I especially love the employees that, after I spend my money and I say "thank you" to them (not vice versa), they just stare blankly at the next patron like I've already left.

Now in all fairness to the staff at Johnnies, I have found them to be (usually) very helpful and always polite (again, most of the time). If Whole Foods doesn't pick up Johnnies staff, it's on Johnnies, not Whole Foods. Many-a-company has negotiated for employee retention upon selling out, I have worked in/for several.

I say "hell yeah" to Whole Foods. One more step in the master plan to rid Charlestown of its riff raff.

Also, for those of you saying Whole Foods is patently more expensive:

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/blogs/the_angle/2011/02/whole_foods.html

as long as they take EBT cards ,what does it matter, us taxpayers are picking up the tab. vote democrats out

remember the company that cunha pushed the board to ok them to move to c-town,and after they moved to c-town he went to work for them. thats democrats in action

four more years!

This is not about Tom Cunha, this is about what is best for a town with 3 developments, and 4 elderly housings..and if people don't like what Tom Cunha is doing then step up to the plate and do a better job. You shouldn't complain about something if you don't plan to do something about it. "Volunteer", get on the committees. Put up or shut up, and leave the people alone that are doing something. Just a thought!

Joseph,
We do not "need" a Whole Foods. Some people would "like" a Whole Foods, but it really is not condusive to over 40% of our Charlestown Families.

Sure we need it. Last I checked - in a democracy - majority rules. I'd also say it might not REALLY be "condusive" to about only 10% of that 40% that's is complaining. The rest of them are just complaining because they're watching their beloved town be "taken over by yuppies". Guess what, it has already happened. Time to accept it.

Gentlemen,
Sometimes the needs of several has to come before the desires of a few.

I think you have that backwards...unless you are trying to support my case? Several want a whole foods. This country already caters too much to "the few".

Agreed with Joseph. Unfortunately for you Mary, and for you Lisa, Whole Foods is probably coming and there isn't a single thing you can do about it except complain to the CNC, which by the way, wouldn't be able to stop it if it tried. If there wasn't a market need for it, Whole Foods wouldn't be coming here. So what does that tell you? You're in the minority. 100% chance Whole Foods comes here, it thrives, and Charlestown is much better off for it. BTW, I love your line "I am a creature of habit and I don't like change". Pretty much sums up the view of every Townie, doesn't it?

Mary, incorrect. You are on the minority...a shrinking minority at that. I also have no problem with the word "Yuppie" - I am, in fact, a young urban professional and proud of it. Agreed, this is and can be "your town" forever...but it won't be the same town. This is something you are just going to have to accept.

Seamus, I Love the way you cotinually put down our wonerful community and the "Townies" who made it the place that people like yourself just HAD to come to live!!!. As I told you before, Gentle Giant Movers is right there in Somerville! So whenever you've had enough of our lovely neighborhood, feel free to give them a call! While we "Townies" continue to live our lives, just like the creatures of habit that we are so proud to be!!! Guess what? WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!!! So get used to it or GET OUT!!!!! Notice too that "Townies" have absolutely no problem leaving their actual name!!!

Whole Foods does not meet the needs of the whole community and that is the whole truth. Maybe I can fit that on my picket sign IF Whole Foods moves to the Johnnies location. I'll picket and invite two friends and they'll invite two friends and so on and so on.........

Stores come and go!
Just like the yuppies.
It is only a matter of time.
So when all is said and done ,the true townies are still here.
And the yuppies as soon as they have first born move to the suburbs.
So thank's to all the yuppies that have bought our property. For outrageous prices,
Just as you don't mind spending higher prices for food,we don't mind taking advantage of your generosity. And selling our property ,or renting it to you for outrageous cost.
Thanks,

And vice versa, Mary. Johnnies doesn't serve the needs of the whole community either. Picket? You have every right to do that. Its America. I tell you what though, itll be a waste of your time. Accept snd embrace the change...it's inevitable and will make your life a lot easier. Whole Foods is a successful company because they choose their markets wisely and cater to their communities. This case will not be any different.

Just a person - People buy houses for their market price. Simple as that. And around here theyre usually buying them for what is relatively cheaper than a number of other other communities in Biston, gutting them and making a profit - or staying! More and more families are sticking around. Charlestown's real estate market is a pricey one and it's about time we had some options around town that reflect that. It's going to continue to change and for the better.

Owen c, I imagine you came to Charlestown because you could shop at WF right?
And as far as "yuppy" parents all over with their multiple children, I think you have them confused with the "Nanny's"
And Toonie , as far as buying and staying, don't think so, as you stated in your post
Gut them, and sell because, Charlestown property has maintained its market value, to buy your dream home in Newton/Wellsley, where surrounding property that you speak of has not! You can buy plenty of property that needs work in JP, Roxbury,Chelsea, Dorchester just to name a few..
Please,

Just a person,

It's obvious you don't think before you post. There are tons of "toonie" families who live in Charlestown, and have no plans of leaving. But, since you most likely mill about all day in front of Papa Gino's and CVS, you probably haven't taken a look deeper into the neighborhood in a while.

Shame on you Owen. What kind on core values do they teach in the coast guard anyway? I spent 4 years in the army national guard where they taught me 7 core values, some of which are selfless service, respect, duty and integrity. If you possessed an ounce of any of theses, how could you just throw the residents of that elderly building to the wayside like this? Did you even know your grandmother? Btw, thats an honest question. Shame on you, sir. As for the community making decisions based soley on lower class families, absolutely no we should not! E.G. The navy yard park. That architectural masterpiece of a childrens pool was designed and built solely to cater to you, the high earning newcomer. Well, I am there 4 times a week in the summer. Thanks, btw. But in cases involving the welfare of so many families? YES! Thats a no brainer. Community decisions involving the welfare of low income families and their ability to provide for themselves should ABSOLUTELY be based on what will help those same families stay afloat.

Look at the controversy of Whole Foods is doing to our town! It's making neighbor go against neighbor. All of this over a store. I don't want Whole Foods to come to town if this is what its going to do, which it seems to be doing since the "news" hit the general public.

If you don't like what there is at Johnnies, don't shop there or suggest some improvements directly to Johnnies.For the person who said they shouldn't have to shop to Cambridge or Beacon Hill for "quality foods" .. why should the people who want the items that they would normally find at Johnnies be forced to shop somewhere else?

Secondly, no one "took over" the town. Whether you're a Townie or a Toonie. Whether you like it or not, your "yuppie" children (and I put that in quotation since "yuppies" seem to be dividing their "distinction") are now Townies. Everyone is welcomed in Charlestown. If you have no pride for the town: it's people, history, and culture, then I suggest you move out because that is how Charlestown is and how Charlestown will forever be.

The Boston Globe is wrong and should be ashamed of itself for adding fuel to the fire with that remark about gentrification. This has nothing to do with gentrification, it has nothing to do with Charlestown's demographics. It is simply about the price of food. Way to start a fight in our community and divide the people who here.

Lastly, I do not believe Whole Foods is fit for the neighborhood of Charlestown. Mary I'll be picketing with ya!

Sean, I agree with pretty much everything you are saying except for a couple of things. I have only every used the word "yuppie" in quotation marks because it's NOT my word...but at the same time, it really doesn't offend me. I appreciate what you are saying about the "yuppie" children being Townes - very true! Especially for those of us that aren't going anywhere. I still have my fingers crossed for a Whole Foods along with many other people. This is just one of those things that we're all going to have to agree to disagree on because none of us really have any control over it anyway. Time to move along.....

I've been shopping at Johnnie's for 12 years. I really like it and the people who work there. I buy most of my produce at the open market in Haymarket during the week-end and go to Harvest Coop in Cambridge for a few things, like organic coffee, loose tea and lower priced tahini. But Johnnie's is my home base. The manager always has a smile, I love the cashiers and baggers and really appreciate their affiliation with Harvest on the Vine. Whenever I feel I have extra $$, I can buy groceries at Johnnie's, that are already bagged and these will be delivered to the food pantry. This is a magnificent service Johnnie's has provided.

Whole Foods is a reality, the gentrification of C-town is a reality..best to accept reality.

Other than Whole Foods, what other businesses/supermarkets are lined up to take over the lease at the location currently known as Johnnies? What are the frauds on the CNC going to do? Veto Whole Foods buying out Johnnies? Tell the owners of Johnnies not to sell out?

Unless one of these other stores (TJ's, Wegmans, MB, etc) steps up, the building will either be occupied by Whole Foods or left empty. This is a fact.

Think a week of this is quite enough! Time to move on to something else, beating a dead horse here.
Nobody on here can or has the power to make the decision on who is going to be in the misfit mall, including the CNC.
And if you don't know by now after a week of comment, the whole deal is whole foods is buying up other johnnies' sites Charlestown is only one.
In other words, realize there are no other offers on the table, whole foods or johnnies that's it.

My hat is off to somebody who actually is trying to go to bat for Johnnies employees. Townie or Yuppie, we are your neighbors,and your friends. I'm actually disgusted that the majority posting here really don't give a shit about other peoples futures, but hey, now why should any of us be sympathic towards yours. I know my fellow employees are reading this and none of them want to post, so I guess it's me. I'm not college educated. I really don't have a particular trade I'm good at. What I'm trying to say is, there's not a lot out there for a guy like me. So, when we don't know about our future, it's really not cool. I'm 32 years old. I don't know how long some of you have lived here for but I'm sure longer then I have some of you. We went this long without a Whole Foods. Now it's a Charlestown necessity? There is no perfect grocery store. No need to act like there is. Now me and my friends and co-workers have to live like there's not certain unemployance? What if it was you? It might have happened to you and if it did, I'm sorry, it must suck, but why would you want to see people you see everyday struggle? Our interactions with everyday customers are huge for our company, seriously. Certain people not so much, but we have people who come from other towns because of the interaction. Whether it's me or another employee. I see it every day first hand. If this story is true, thank you Mr.Cunha for giving a shit.

I see a lot of posts talking about employees being "nice" and "appreciative". If I had a dollar for every time I've witnessed customers, in many different establishments, act arrogant and mean towards what they consider "the help"... A low paying job plus customers who think they're royalty equals an employee who doesn't really have any vested interested in stroking customers' egos. I have always been against hierarchy and privilege. We are all equals.

Well that was nice, just got back from the Johnnies and heard an employee badmouthing Whole Foods to customers, classy.

So is it going to happen? What's the latest?