06/19/2025
As many of you know Tim and I purchased Quik Stop in August, 2024. We invested our life savings—and took on a significant loan—to purchase the business. Quik Stop Market has been a fixture in the Brentwood community since 1988, and today, it is our family’s sole source of income. We are fully committed to its success and to serving Brentwood with integrity.
As a mother of two children who currently attend Brentwood Elementary and Bristow Middle School—and as a former student of those same schools, as well as Liberty High School—I’m deeply rooted in this community. Over the years, Quik Stop has proudly supported our local schools through sponsorships, donations, and student promotions. We are committed to being a positive, engaged presence in Brentwood.
We recently invited members of CourAGE to host an educational outreach event at our store to share with youth the dangers of to***co use. We fully support their mission to keep to***co out of the hands of young people. I speak regularly with my own children, ages 8 and 11, about the harms of to***co. I grew up in a household where smoking was common—but I made a different choice. I believe education and strong community values are the key to breaking that cycle.
After reviewing the May 13, 2025 City Council meeting regarding the proposed To***co Retail License (TRL), I have several concerns I would like to share with the public:
1. Distance Calculation (Section 5.76.060 A):
The current method of measuring distance “parcel to parcel” (property line to property line) may place an unfair burden on businesses located in shared shopping centers, such as ours. I have asked the Council to consider revising this to a “door-to-door” measurement, which would more accurately reflect a store’s true physical proximity to youth-oriented locations.
2. Definition of Youth-Oriented Establishments (Section 5.76.030 C):
The current definition includes youth centers, described as facilities where children up to age 17 gather for programs and activities. I have requested clarification on whether this definition extends to church youth groups, dance studios, martial arts centers, or after-school programs. The broadness of this definition could lead to inconsistent enforcement, which may unfairly affect small businesses like ours. Clear and consistent guidelines are essential for fairness.
3. Grandfathering Clause:
I strongly urge the Council to include a grandfather clause allowing all existing retailers—even those within 250 feet of a youth-oriented site—to apply for and receive a TRL. Many of us made long-term business decisions without knowing these new restrictions were forthcoming. Additionally, it was stated that if a to***co retailer is granted a TRL and a youth-oriented establishment opens within 250 feet afterward, the retailer may continue selling to***co products. Why should current retailers, who already exist within that distance, be penalized? This is not a level playing field.
I urge the Brentwood community to speak up for fairness. Please contact the City Council and ask them to support a grandfather clause for all existing to***co retailers. You can reach them at: [email protected] and [email protected].
Sincerely,
Amber Zulawski
Owner, Quik Stop Market
Brentwood, CA
