La Mirada~Protestors are expected to fill the council chambers as the planning commission will decide whether or not to grant a conditional use permit to McDonalds , paving the way for the restaurant goliath to replace one of La Mirada’s long standing businesses and landmarks-The Carriage Coffee Shop.

If granted, the permit would allow McDonalds to construct a drive–thru at the new restaurant.

The meeting will take place Thursday, March 20^th beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The proposed action set off a firestorm in the community on our Facebook page since we broke the story on March 5^th-generating over 120 comments so far from people weighing in.

Many residents say this is another example of small-town La Mirada disappearing, “We don't need another fast food restaurant, especially McDonalds. The Carriage is a city landmark and the only coffee shop in town. It has been a meeting place for La Mirada residents forever. We need more family restaurants in this town, not less, said Blog fan Barbara Hayes.

Still others like Blog fan Richard Marcher says it makes good economic sense for La Mirada, “It appears that McDonald's market research finds a high demand for their product. That is why they chose to invest in the community. Individually, you may not care for it, but collectively you do.”

The Carriage operates on a month to month lease and the owners of the property-Rich Development, LLC-have not returned our calls.

Although the tearing down of The Carriage would be a blow to nostalgia lovers, the city would stand to gain a substantial amount of monies in sales tax because of the higher volume and longer operating hours a McDonalds would bring to the table.