Residents press Thousand Oaks council over Lassen’s closure and Caruso downtown deal; city says staff will follow up

Several residents used the public‑comment period at the April 8 City Council meeting to urge elected leaders to intervene after local grocery store Lassen’s announced it would close and its space would be leased to Erewhon as part of the Caruso downtown Thousand Oaks redevelopment.

Christine Robert Fox thanked the council for community support and said businesses such as Lassen’s have helped build community ties. Laurie Cameo said pricing at Erewhon would not suit Thousand Oaks shoppers and repeated claims she said she had heard from Lassen’s staff that Lassen’s was not given an opportunity to renew its lease and that Caruso awarded the space to Erewhon. Cameo also criticized prior land deals with the developer and asked council to reconsider the city’s collaboration with Caruso, calling for protections for small businesses and trees and for affordable housing priorities to be preserved.

Several speakers said the Save Lassen’s Thousand Oaks Facebook group had more than 100 members and that the community is grieving the loss of the store. City Manager Drew Power told the council staff was aware of the Lassen’s closure, said economic development staff would contact Lassen’s ownership to discuss potential alternative locations and noted press reporting that relocation might still be possible. Power said the city has no direct control over private lease negotiations but that staff would follow up with Lassen’s ownership and would be in touch.

Speakers urged the council to revisit the 2021 agreement with the developer, Caruso, though no specific motion or formal council action was made on the record. Councilmembers acknowledged the concern and asked staff to pursue outreach to Lassen’s ownership.