Comments

Some of your comments may be posted here at a later time.

Kathryn
South Park

OK - my sister and I just stumbled upon this place at 11:55pm two nights ago after moving all day and have eaten there two nights in a row already! The sliders are to DIE for - really! Instead of letting us turn around and walk out the door 5 minutes to closing because we felt bad to come in so late, they literally ushered us in and made us the best darn dinner ever. I will never forget that kindness and am letting the world know there are still delicious, affordable, late-night dining establishments out there that are also spreading good karma! May it come back at you tenfold! Thank you!! xoxo

Tyler
North Park, Bancroft St.

I had a late lunch there finally today and loved it! good job on all the hard work and i'm very glad to see you guys finally open. I hope you and the nearby residents can come to a mutual agreement regarding the hours.

Oh, I started a page for the Commonwealth Cafe on Yelp! here:
so others should leave a review there! :)

TB
North Park

We really enjoyed the veggie burger & fries - limeade is fun too! You're a great addition to the neighborhood. The only thing lacking is a microbrew root beer. How awesome would it be to have root beer on draft?

P

Best burgers in town !!!

La Severa

Ah, I remember when CC was just an idea floating around...and now you're just about to open your doors...despite the b.s. from the city, congrats guys!! Save a seat for me at the counter

Amy G.
North Park

The sign looks great! What is the current status with the city? Any updates?

Rick P.

Just to set the record straight (Amy G. and lots of misinformed petition signers), I am one of the MANY ‘complaintants’ in the immediate area by Commonwealth Café who are ‘taking the negative path’ in regard to their operating hours. I have indeed met Leighton Hollingsworth at the North Park Planning Committee meeting last month, where we both, along with other concerned neighbors, stated our concerns to the committee. I gave Leighton my name and phone number, and posted a message on this site the very next day (which was promptly removed) in which I requested a meeting with the owners. I did hear from Jason Merchey regarding that posting, and emailed him all of my contact information, again requesting a meeting. This was at least three weeks ago--I have heard nothing. It will be interesting to see if this posting is allowed to remain. Somehow I doubt it. Commonwealth Café seems to want to encourage the false impression of these bad people that are trying to undo them and make them fail. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We who live close by just want any of the new businesses to succeed, be responsible good neighbors, and follow the law.

TYMO
san diego

If the city is so bankrupt..you would think they(the city of s.d.)would stop,and think,how important more money via tax,fees,ect can help them...kinda a no brainer huh??..oh well,,that's san diego for you...

Amy G.
North Park

It would be very nice if the complainant came to and talk with you in a neighborly manner; discussing their concerns directly rather than taking the negative path they have. Let's hope the city responds to the majority in a democratic manner. Perhaps a neighborhood meeting is in order...?

Jessica
San Diego

We can't wait for Commonwealth Cafe to open!!! Anyone checking out this web site should go sign the petition outside the Cafe. Let's get this late night dining approved by the city!

kj!
Wisconsin, I now live in North Park

Who do I write to and where do I write to, to tell the city to allow you guys to open already?! I think it's a great idea to have diner catering to swing shift, third shift, and bar employees and bar patrons. your convenient(sp?) location in regards to neighborhood bars and it's easy walking distance provides a great service to our community. It means that those too inebriated to drive can WALK to your establishment and it PREVENTS drunk driving. Swing shift and third ****f workers have the opion of a descent meal, late night patrol officers have a place to grab a cup of joe to keep them alert and bar employees have a place to ret their feet after their long shifts. And late night owls and college students like me have someplace to go for interesting conversation. how can folk NOT SEE the benefit your business brings?! SO, who down at city hall do I send these thoughts to (but with better spelling

Good luck and I can't wait for you to open!

Cindy Jarrett
Gorgeous Salon

Hi, I picked up one of your petitions over at The Blissfull Bean. My Clients here at the salon Have been signing the form please let me know when you need the form so I can get it to you or you can come pick it up. Good Luck.

Lauren

I look forward to a new late night spot just around the corner. But you have got to do something about that green neon inside the cafe. Nothing will kill your new business faster than seeing the faces of your loyal customers bathed in a green glow. The former Thai Phoon in Hillcrest had green neon surrounding their window and the glow it cast created an unpleasant eating sensation. Not only were the faces of the diners a sickly color, it also made the food look odd.

Jeremy
North Park

Hope you're able to open soon. Can't understand why anyone would block the opening of your establishment when there are other neighborhood eateries open past midnight. Seems like selective enforcement of the zoning code which would, of course, be illegal.
und?

NWA - Ninjas with Appetites
myspace blog of socal eateries
san diego

POOF! Hurry up and open up! The ninjas have been waiting to try this spot out, especially since it was intended to be a late night spot. San Diego is severely lacking in this area. Please support the Commonwealth Cafe, oh and check out www.myspace.com/ninjaswithappetites

Some comments left on Signonsandiego.com

I can't wait for the Commonwealth Cafe to open! How awesome would it be to have a 24 hour diner serving all our favorite comfort foods- coleslaw, grilled cheese sandwiches, yummy burgers, omelets, and homemade pie! It's up to us to make sure that our voices are heard, so let's all go down to North Park and sign that petition already!!!

Posted by: Lisa May | August 28, 2007 03:32 PM

I can't wait for this place to open and I feel that it's up to us to have our voices heard about the operating hours situation. I feel that it's unfair to have other businesses close to the Commonwealth Cafe allowed to operate much later. For more information on where to sign the petition and a first-look at the menu, visit www.TheCommonwealthCafe.com

Posted by: Lisa May | August 28, 2007 03:43 PM

The City is just listening to one concerned (albeit selfish and rude) neighbour who is scared that a late-night diner might attract the wrong crowd, but c'mon! THIS IS NORTH PARK! WE NEED A PLACE TO EAT and Denny's is too far away and too low-quality, especially for us folks in South Park, where the only thing open after midnite is the Whistle Stop Bar.
SO, CITY OF SAN DIEGO: Listen to the countless people and residents who WANT COMMONWEALTH CAFE OPEN LATE! We need somewhere to go. I, for one, work night shift, and many places close at 9pm, so when I get home and am craving some food, I have to get FATTER AND FATTER off of fast food/cheap taco shop greasiness... PLEASE, LET'S SUPPORT SOMETHING GREAT FOR ONCE! Note to Commonwealth: DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE VEGETARIANS! WE NEED TO EAT, TOO! Thank you.

Posted by: Jeff Graves | August 28, 2007 08:22 PM

Come on! Like Jack in the Box is attracting the awesome upper echelon and Commonwealth would definitely be a problem... Does the City do anything right nowadays? Jeez.

Wouldn't it be nice to have some quality LOCAL dining open late night that keeps us out of Denny's and Bertos (bless them and the work they do with beans) but some class and variety would be nice!

Posted by: betsy | August 29, 2007 03:09 PM

Ya know, the more people eat,the more thay spend,that means the more the city gets MONEY!...and the city is BANKRUPT?!!...HMMMM..

Posted by: TYMO RAECK | August 29, 2007 07:37 PM

who owns Denny's?

Posted by: Casey | August 29, 2007 09:12 PM

well here is jose pastor again see you in court and the worker's form that you came me there is no no no address no traver's in colordo spring's co. so s ee you in court....

Posted by: josepastor | September 5, 2007 10:19 AM

This place should be allowed to open. I'm in support of it and I am a local!

Posted by: Vegan | September 8, 2007 06:56 PM

Besides the obvious need to serve our citizens food past midnight, there would be an additional benefit to The Commonwealth Cafe being open to 4am, which would be security. Having 2-3 pairs of eyes staffing this restaurant would serve as a barrier to the ne'er-do-wells and taggers that like to roam at night, thus protecting the surrounding businesses and patrons.

Posted by: NorthParkScene.com | September 11, 2007 06:53 AM

Have to say I agree with everybody here! I am a homeowner in North Park and this is EXACTLY what we need! I actually drove to the cafe tonight excited to eat there after work because I thought it was open! I signed the petition before I left. I work late and usually can't get a bite to eat until after 11 PM. This place is really close to my house and I can't wait to eat there! Besides, Jack in the Box and Saguaro's are open 24 hours...Denny's restaurants are too! The Commonwealth Cafe is a great new addition to our neighborhood! Please stay open until 4 AM!

Posted by: Junior | September 13, 2007 11:04 PM

Just to set the record straight (Amy G. and lots of misinformed petition signers), I am one of the many complaintants in the immediate area by Commonwealth Cafe who are (quote)-taking the negative path-in regard to their operating hours. I have indeed met Leighton Hollingsworth at the North Park Planning Committee meeting last month, where we both, along with other concerned neighbors, stated our concerns to the committee. I gave Leighton my name and phone number, and posted a message on Commonwealth website the very next day (which was promptly removed) in which I requested a meeting with the owners. I did hear from Jason Merchey regarding that posting, and emailed him all of my contact information, again requesting a meeting. This was at least three weeks ago--I have heard nothing. I also sent a very similar message as this one to Commonwealth's website, which never was posted. Commonwealth Cafe seems to want to encourage the false impression of these bad people that are trying to undo them and make them fail. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We who live close by just want any of the new businesses to succeed, be responsible good neighbors, and follow the law.

Posted by: Rick | September 14, 2007 10:48 AM

Just to set the record straight (Amy G. and lots of misinformed petition signers), I am one of the many
complaintants in the immediate area by Commonwealth Cafe who are (quote)taking the negative path (unquote) in regard to their operating hours. I have indeed met Leighton Hollingsworth at the North Park Planning Committee meeting last month, where we both, along with other concerned neighbors, stated our concerns to the committee. I gave Leighton my name and phone number, and posted a message on Commonwealth website the very next day (which was promptly removed) in which I requested a meeting with the owners. I did hear from Jason Merchey regarding that posting, and emailed him all of my contact information, again requesting a meeting. This was at least three weeks ago--I have heard nothing. I tried to post a message very similar to this on their site as well, and it never appeared. Commonwealth Cafe seems to want to encourage the false impression of these bad people that are trying to undo them and make them fail. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We who live close by (and I?m talking the immediate houses next door & around the corner, not those far enough away not to be affected by noise and parking problems) just want any of the new businesses to succeed, be responsible good neighbors, and follow the law.

Posted by: Rick | September 14, 2007 03:50 PM

If cry baby bourgeois neighbours in the area "want any of the new businesses to succeed", then why would they go out of their way to impede and stop an important endeavour for the benefit of our community, namely the Commonwealth Cafe. Why single out an eatery which is not serving alcohol or having live music, while other nearby businesses continue to function without restraint? Furthermore, if you don't want to deal with other human beings, than don't live in an urban community. YOU (the complainant) are the PROBLEM with North Park. You denounce a business that will make a LOT of people HAPPY because of your self-centred interests. It's hard to imagine how close you live to Commonwealth for it to be such a nuisance to your well-being. MOVE TO LA JOLLA if you want to be a bourgeois complainer... or better yet, MOVE TO PINE VALLEY or ALPINE where you can listen to the sound of crickets all night, far, far away from all the young people whose bed times don't begin at 10pm... thanks for being part of the gentrification PROBLEM and destroying urban culture, Rick. Get a life for a change, and come have a pint at Bluefoot and a burger at Commonwealth while the old ladies sleep.

Posted by: Chris R. | September 17, 2007 08:59 PM

The BlueFoot bar is a welcome addition to the North Park corner on which it resides, but along with that comes a lot of late night traffic and noise to the residents who live near-by. Personally, I don't want the same drunk folks that walk by my home at 2am walking by at 4am or later. I am all for businesses to suceed, but really if you had heard some of the noise and disturbances you might be less inclined to have the eatery opened that late in your 'hood.

Posted by: NorthPark Supporter | September 18, 2007 12:22 PM