Organic Foods/Restaurant In Town

[Dodgergirl]

Anyone have any info on the new shop in town? it's located where Carolyn's Carpets was... looks like a welcome addition to town. I. for one, can't wait! Hope it's good...

[Sandman]

i know the owners very well... ran into them this morning. i am excited for this new restaurant to open.

[monkey]

OOOooooo, do tell. Anyone know the name, opening date, etc???? I've been all about eating healthy for awhile now so I would love a place to go out to without destroying all my hard work.
On a side note, while shopping in the bulk food section of Raleys I found Hemp Granola! It's pretty good and cracks up my co workers when I say I'm gonna eat my berries with hemp and yogurt.

[Dodgergirl]

I went by a little while ago and it looks like they were working on it. Hopefully it will open soon. The parking isn't that good, but I'm sure we'll adapt...

[yosemite_rose]

Where exactly is this restaurant..I am new to town so I don't know where Carolyn's carpets used to be...I am a happy organic vegetarian girl and would love to go out to eat once in awhile and meet other like minded people

[BGW]

It's just a few doors down from Day and Night liquor and Judy's Donuts on Hwy 41 in Oakhurst

[monkey]

I've noticed that the signs are down and now there is a "For Lease" sign up. Looks like we aren't going to get it after all.

[Patagoniamaniac]

I believe they were having some problems with the county and codes..typical..because of it becoming a restauraunt..they will be finding another location..hopefully...their good people. I wish them the best...

[Ironhorse]

For some, process to open a business isn't worth it
By Elizabeth Gabriel
(Updated: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, 12:06 PM) tool nameclose
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Photo by Elizabeth Gabriel

Trying to work out problems in Oakhurst along Highway 41 are from left, clockwise, Ray Gallardo owner of the building where a business fought to open; Michael Navarro of Cal Trans; Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler and Judy Gallardo.
It's not easy getting a business started. And sometimes, despite the best of plans and intentions, a business folds up before it's open.

Take the case of Kent and Tricia Tracey who wanted to open an organic sandwich shop, free-trade boutique and gathering place on Highway 41 in Oakhurst.

They were willing to go on record with their frustrations in opening a new business. Others have expressed frustration with state and county laws, but were unwilling to do so. With a plethora of requirements -- many of which have increased in cost -- it seems to be more difficult to open a business in Oakhurst.

The Traceys have been around the Mountain Area for some time. Seven years ago, they ran the Garden Cafe just across the street from the ill-fated Organics, the shop they hoped to open. And they had Tricia's Trends for clothing.

When they decided to get back into business on Highway 41, they leased a building from Ray and Judy Gallardo and hired Patrice Jensen to work out the architectural details.

But in the end, frustrated with the governmental three R's -- rules, regulations and red tape -- they gave up. Add to that the cost of permits and improvements for a building they do not own, and they reached a financial impasse as well.

"My wife's heart is broken and my wallet is broken," said Kent.

The couple leased the building just downhill from Judy's Donuts in February. They had a business license already. They proceeded to paint and bring in furniture and equipment. They improved the electrical system and put in a code-compliant bathroom.

They even painted the name Organics on the window along with colorful flowers.

But when you're dealing with the government -- make that governments -- bumps in the road can crop up anywhere. Two that blocked them concerned parking and access. When they got nowhere on their own, they solicited help from Madera County Supervisor for the Oakhurst district Tom Wheeler. He set up a meeting among the owners, lessors, architect, Cal Trans people and county planning people.

During the sit-down, there was a real effort to work things out, but voices were occasionally raised and more than one participant shook his head in disappointment or disbelief.

First things

Wheeler, Jensen and the Traceys stood outside as cars whizzed by on Highway 41.

"Now they're telling us we need curbs and gutters," Kent was telling Wheeler.

The store has about 105 feet of frontage. There is not a curb or gutter to be seen anywhere near there on that side of 41. What you see is a jumble of older buildings that accommodate cars as best they can with asphalt at their doorsteps. Some have wider places to park than others. The building the Traceys leased has a parking lot in addition to space in front.

Parking is a big deal in the Tracey story. So is the amount of land claimed by Cal Trans and what can be done with it.

While many of the business along 41 allow nose-in parking in front, it's not necessarily legal. It all has to do with the the depth of the Cal Trans right-of-way. In some places, said one of the participants, that 110-foot right-of-way (it's figured from the center line) comes to within 7 inches of the door of a business.

"People have been parking (nose-in) for 50 years," Ray Gallardo said.

Nonetheless, the law is the law.

"You mean I'll have to enforce parallel parking out front?" Kent Tracey asked, incredulous.

Cal Trans reps were Michael Navarro of the local office of transportation planning and Ramiro Hernandez, a permit field engineer. They listened to the frustration in the voices of the others. Navarro tried to keep things calm

When the Gallardos said this was the first time they had heard of curbs, gutters and encroachments, Navarro explained that these things come up when new businesses come in.

"We're trying to encourage foot traffic," Navarro said.

"They've (Cal Trans) been taking land all over the county," Wheeler said. "It's like they're trying to close down Oakhurst."

When Navarro reiterated the legal necessity for an encroachment, which could put the two out-front parking spaces in jeopardy because of access to them, Gallardo was none to happy.

"There have been six business in here since we bought the property," he said, adding that this is the first time he's heard of any such thing.

To get the encroachment, of course, the Traceys would have to get a permit for it.

"We have been down (to the county) five or six times at a minimum at a price of a grand each time," he said. "What's the maximum we might have to pay just to open the door? How long will each permit take?"

The answer all-around was "it depends." It depends on how good the plans are, what the workload of the plan checkers are etc., etc., etc.

"What if the county allows a waiver on the number of parking spaces?" Wheeler asked.

Navarro said that might make it easier for Cal Trans to approve.

"I'll talk to our people," he said.

But what the Gallardos wanted to know is when their tenants could move in, start earning money and start paying rent.

With discussions going smoothly, it was looking like move-in would be soon and the county permits would a formality. And as long as the Gallardos promised to do the Cal Trans requirements when Cal Trans asked for it, a for-now waiver for curb and gutter could be granted.

Then county planners showed up.

The permit costs were more than the Traceys could stand, in the end.

"They wanted $3,500 for a maybe," Kent Tracey said.

There was no guarantee he'd get them once he plunked down his money for the required permits to change parking requirements, among other things.

"We'll spend a lot more time at the lake than we expected to this summer," Kent said.

"We never want to go through this again."

Sierra Star - May 28th, 2008 http://www.sierrastar.com/103/story/45339.html

[monkey]

I see that now the Candled Egg thrift shop is moving there.