Peet's Debate Heating Up in Sonoma May be Mirrored in Cotati

The news about Peet's Coffee and Tea possibly moving to Sonoma has spurred debate in Sonoma County about whether cities should allow chains to move in.

The coffeehouse chain with 192 stores across six states is expanding — that much is apparent. Nicole Arena, a spokesperson for Peet's has confirmed the company is opening up a new store in Cotati later this year.

Arena couldn't be more specific about when the store would open, nor could she confirm the location, rumored to be the former Franks Freeze on Old Redwood Highway.

In Sonoma, Peet's may be the first retailer to sign onto the city's "Old Firehouse" development, a 10,500 square-foot-building located a few blocks from the Plaza, at the corner of Broadway and Patten street.

"Yes, Pete’s is interested in the project," said Douglas Wiele, a founder of Foothill Partners, the developer linked to the Sonoma project. Though no formal agreement with the coffee giant has been reached, Thad Logan, the retailer linked to the project, regularly works with Peet's, opening and expanding new stores. Read the .

We want to hear from you, readers? In this turbulent economic climate, should cities be picky about who opens up shop in town and who is denied?