What this town needs

[Red Mule]

I have seen various statements in other threads about "What This Town Needs," so I though I'd start a new thread devoted to that. Who knows, maybe someone that can and is willing will bring one or more to us.

Here's my personal list.

1. A Coffee House that stays open late on Fri & Sat and offered a nice mellow atmosphere where people could meet and talk. Make it part of another biz such as a book store and that would be OK too. Not everyone wants to go home immediately after a movie or wants to go to a loud bar where they must deal with drunks and can't talk anyway.

2. A market that is somewhat like Trader Joes. That makes an effort to provide Organic, Local, American (or at least Californian) foods, or at least adequitely labels food origins along these lines so we can at least make an informed choice. Somewhere that would have more selection than what the Fruit Market offers.

3. Affordable alternate public transportation. Especially around 2AM. Lets help get the folks that shouldn't be driving off the streets and stop just making "morals judgements." Maybe there are also some older folks or people of limited means that really don't need to own and pay for their own vehicles. It might also be better for the environment.

4. Some kind of more convienient recycling program. While there are many people that separate recyclables and haul them somewhere they can be properly handled, I'll bet many more people would do the right think if all the had to do was put them in a different container to be picked up by someone.

I know there's probably a lot more I'm not thinking of right now.

[jakobscalpel]

Good idea Red Mule.

1. A park that doesn't make my family feel uncomfortable or unsafe
2. Sweet Tomatoes
3. A real downtown (I know this isn't feasible)
4. Indoor Putt-Putt
5. Less tourists

[rimar]

I would love to see the people who make suggestions in this thread also share what they are doing to help implement those suggestions. :)

[jakobscalpel]

I would love to see the people who make suggestions in this thread also share what they are doing to help implement those suggestions. :)

Good idea as well. Here is how I'm implementing my suggestions:

1. Plan to help at Awhahnee regional park this winter on public workdays

2. We eat at Sweet Tomatoes every time we are in Fresno, which helps them stay in business, and I always pay with a credit card so their data-warehousing analysts will notice the zip code 93644

3. A real downtown is not feasible due to the ludicrous road system in Oakhurst. I'm not currently working towards any of the set of solutions, which contain, but are not limited to, eminent domain, dynamite, tunneling, city in the clouds, or moving the entire town five miles down the road and starting over.

4. Indoor Putt-Putt. I tell this idea to everyone I know who would be interested in starting a guaranteed money-losing business so that I could enjoy their services with no financial risk to myself. The old True Value store is still available for those interested in this exciting opportunity!

5. I have several ideas on how to diminish the local tourist population but their swiftian basis demands caution and reticence on my part

[Yosemite Joy]

1. A moratorium on new fast food/chain coffee shops.
2. No more buses at Raley's. Stop at the Coarsegold Market instead.
3. The Broken Bit to get cleaned up and decide what the heck they are doing there. (Technically this is not in Oakhurst, but it is an eyesore nonetheless).
4. A moratorium on building more Christian churches.
5. A park where transients are not always being arrested for outstanding warrants and drugs.
6. A park that doesn't have security guards smoking and "hanging out" with the above shooting the ****.
7. Rite Aid to clean their parking lot and shopping carts once in a while.
8. Raley's parking lot to take out the curb and make it a four way stop sign where one pulls in from Junction Dr and/or from BofA, 49 turn in or in front of Gottschalks.
9. The light at the 49/Junction Dr to be re calibrated (or whatever it is called) so that when people turning left onto 49 or going straight towards Sears it is green longer and the light turns green quicker and in succession after the green across the street. As it is now it turns green out of turn.


That's all I have. As far as doing anything to "fix" it personally, besides complaining to the people in charge of some of this (Rite Aid, Chamber of Commerce) I haven't done much. Admittedly, I don't have time.

[MtnBreeze]

I have seen various statements in other threads about "What This Town Needs," so I though I'd start a new thread devoted to that. Who knows, maybe someone that can and is willing will bring one or more to us.

Here's my personal list.

1. A Coffee House that stays open late on Fri & Sat and offered a nice mellow atmosphere where people could meet and talk. Make it part of another biz such as a book store and that would be OK too. Not everyone wants to go home immediately after a movie or wants to go to a loud bar where they must deal with drunks and can't talk anyway.

2. A market that is somewhat like Trader Joes. That makes an effort to provide Organic, Local, American (or at least Californian) foods, or at least adequitely labels food origins along these lines so we can at least make an informed choice. Somewhere that would have more selection than what the Fruit Market offers.

3. Affordable alternate public transportation. Especially around 2AM. Lets help get the folks that shouldn't be driving off the streets and stop just making "morals judgements." Maybe there are also some older folks or people of limited means that really don't need to own and pay for their own vehicles. It might also be better for the environment.

4. Some kind of more convienient recycling program. While there are many people that separate recyclables and haul them somewhere they can be properly handled, I'll bet many more people would do the right think if all the had to do was put them in a different container to be picked up by someone.

I know there's probably a lot more I'm not thinking of right now.

Number one...we used to have a coffee house that did just that.....The Grind...maybe you can inform the owners they need to revert ;)
Number 2 ...My daughter is in process of trying to get a loan to expand Nature's Nutrients to carry more whole foods. At present she has limited supply and is a drop off point for TD Wiley Organic produce....so keep your fingers crossed she will be able to enlarge her store.
And I agree with the last 2 ....it seems the present garbage company would want to provide GREEN bins for their customers to make recycling easier...but perhaps the management cost makes it not feasible...but it would be great....we recycle paper, glass, cans and plasitcs....and we compost all our wet waste with the exception of meat based products which we use very little of anyway....

[kellieflan]

I want to mention that the people who run the Gold Gulch Museum at the Broken Bit were very busy summer before last and had scores of students from Fresno and parts further, visiting on field trips all last year. This past summer, however, they were "shut down" by the county for reasons that seem... confusing, to say the least. They are, in my opinion (the owners, the Crupps I think their name is) good people and my daughter at OES loved the field trip, she even was there a couple of times summer before last for the "camp" they ran and it was terrific. I'm not sure what the reasons for the hold up are, but it would be great if someone from the local paper did an article on the situation, because as far as I know, they are being prohibited from continuing at this time. It's a shame, because that was a super fun place, and we don't have much going on that I'm aware of for kids, in Coarsegold.

Also Nature's Nutrients is the BEST and I would love to see it expanded with more organics and so forth. We pick up our organics from T&DWilley.com at NN and that is just a wonderful store with an owner who really know a lot about a lot!

[Red Mule]

RE: The Grind. Yup. I miss it. Between hiring kids that couldn't work late, adding alcohol and loud bands, and then becoming more of a cafe - the old coffee house just went away. But, I can't fault the owners for trying to make more money. It's tough enough making a biz last around here. I KNOW! I also realized after my last post that there is one late night coffee shop - Starbucks. But, I still miss the Grind and wish we had it back.

RE: TD Wiley. GOOD FOOD. But, even a Seedling Box went partially to waste for a single person. And, while I liked most of the produce, there was always some I didn't want. So, now I shop at the Fruit Market and at the Farmer's Market at the Pines. But, in both cases the choices are limited.

RE: Recycling. I talked to the Emadco Manager and he points out that the cities that have curbside recycling also partially subsidised this because otherwise there is not enough profit to support it. I was just hoping that someone with time, a truck, a dream, and the willingness to seek out support or a grant might want to give it a try. Or maybe if there was enough support for it our local government might want to support the idea. No Wait! We have no local government. It was voted down, so we can only depend on what the County officials are willing to do something up here for us. Not Likely! :(

RE: What have I - YOU - WE done lately to make things happen? That's a good question. Sometimes, just letting others know there is a demand for something can be of some benefit. I admit I am not ready to start another venture right now. But, I'll sure try to support others that do. I do contribute to local causes I believe in.

[Yosemite Joy]

RE RE: Recycling. Does Madera as a city have this curbside option? We had it in Sacramento years back, but their trash cans/trucks were more sophisticated with arms that lifted the cans up and dumped them in. Special type things. And we didn't sort it either if I remember right. We just put glass/plastic/newspaper in a single bin that was collected once a week.

As far as Broken Bit goes, my daughter went on a field trip there, too. She loved it, but the grounds look dangerous. What are they ultimately looking for as far as the building itself goes?

[kellieflan]

I'm not sure what exactly the county wants vs. what the Crumps (I think that is the name not what I said before) intend but I have some notes somewhere and I will dig them up and post it somewhere in case we can get some action on that place. There's confusion, a good guy, a bad guy, mystery, intrigue... the usual elements that make up a good drama. I know the Crumps intended to complete the grounds work and restore the restaurant, but without the income from this past summer and this year, they may be up Coarsegold Creek with out a, well, you know...

[Mysteefied]

I'm interested in this T&DWilley.com I tried it as a website and it didn't go anywhere, is there an actual website that you order from?
Thanks

[Red Mule]

I don't know if this strictly falls under this thread, but I think another "what this town needs" is a drug store that carries everything Rite Aid does and maybe is in the same location and maybe even has the same name, but just doesn't set up their shelves and isles so that only a drunken snake could possibly find something without going up and down several wrong paths first. Not that I would urge anyone else to stop shopping at the current Rite Aid because of it, but I have been boycotting them for some time now. :)

TD Wiley doesn't have a web site that I know of. You sign up for different sizes of weekly deliveries and accept whatever they have in season from many different local farmers. You don't get to choose item by item. The deliveries are now made to Nature's Nutrients in Oakhurst. You should stop by and get additional details there. It IS good wholesome food.

[kellieflan]

Here is the website
www.tdwilleyfarms.com
then go to "Fresh and Local (CSA)"

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture

And the phone number is 559-ORGANIC (674-2642)

You can pick up at Nature's Nutrients in Oakhurst or Coarsegold Market (both are for pick up on Thursdays).

After one year of the family box - we love it unconditionally. I ordered extra basil this week (they call it Organic Abundance) and I have six big bunches in jars of water on my counter! Pesto, anyone?

They are very nice people and it's not only organic, it is Fresh and Local!

[BGW]

Just a big huge guess here...But, I am thinking they have not met their Conditional Use Permit deadlines. A working tourist ranch in Cathey's Valley was recently shut down because it had not completed the CUP listed road work in the time allotted. Mariposa County put concrete barriers across all enterences. If I recall the Owners of the Bit are/were required to widen the road right there and put in turn lanes etc. Their CUP was issued several (2 or 3) years ago...meaning some deadlines have come and gone; thereby giving the County the right to shut them down. Yes, it sucks, but that's how that stuff works.

[cak]

I agree that Oakhurst would be a great place for a Trader Joe's. I write them a letter saying so about every 18 months :) You could too:

Trader Joe's Company
800 South Shamrock Ave.
Monrovia, CA 91016

[monkey]

I didn't see anyone mention that we need yet another pizza place, but we are getting one. A Little Caesars is opening soon in the Jamba Juice/Starbucks strip mall. The parking lot is already a mess, this ain't gonna help.

[yosemitewriter]

Little Caesar??? Is the pizza as good as the movie????


I didn't see anyone mention that we need yet another pizza place, but we are getting one. A Little Caesars is opening soon in the Jamba Juice/Starbucks strip mall. The parking lot is already a mess, this ain't gonna help.

[Patagoniamaniac]

Here is the website
www.tdwilleyfarms.com
then go to "Fresh and Local (CSA)"

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture

And the phone number is 559-ORGANIC (674-2642)

You can pick up at Nature's Nutrients in Oakhurst or Coarsegold Market (both are for pick up on Thursdays).

After one year of the family box - we love it unconditionally. I ordered extra basil this week (they call it Organic Abundance) and I have six big bunches in jars of water on my counter! Pesto, anyone?

They are very nice people and it's not only organic, it is Fresh and Local!

Thanks so much for this post and info!!!..
THat saves me a trip all the way to Fresno to whole foods...AWESOME!

[HIS_MOM]

little cezars or how ever they wanna spell it has the nastiest pizza i have ever eaten...it is way dry and not frsh like they say they make millions of them at a time becasue they sell them for 5 dollars and they sit in a hot rack until u order them....i will not support the new pizza chain in this town....thats a big mistake for oakhurst how many restraunts and fast food chains do we need??????

how about a roller rink or if it has to be pizza a chuck e cheese or something for our kids to di besides eat?

[CatdaBrat]

They have some competition for the nastiest pizza, as I recently had the great misfortune to stop for lunch at a King Leo's pizza parlor in Bakersfield. I don't know if that's a chain or not. I could not eat their pizza....just picked at what little dab of toppings there was, then left with a stomachache. It was horrible!

[Patagoniamaniac]

I dont care for pizza that much, but you know who has the best Pizza?...BJ's by fashion fair...to die for!!!

[Red Mule]

I just learned that if you start a thread you can close it. WOW! A real power trip for me. So, here is fair warning. If you promote a business in the valley on this "What this town needs" thread, I'll just close it!

Besides, I'm grumpy because another thread was closed just when I was getting started. :)

[Dodgergirl]

I didn't see anyone mention that we need yet another pizza place, but we are getting one. A Little Caesars is opening soon in the Jamba Juice/Starbucks strip mall. The parking lot is already a mess, this ain't gonna help.


The business license was in the Star a few weeks ago, but it was for one of those take and bake gourmet pizza places....

[dorseygirl]

Yeah I saw that and the address was Golden Oak - so they just tried to bamboozal us all?

[monkey]

Unless there is 2 new pizza places coming?

[fluver]

Its really nice to see people here

Lisa

http://www.fluver.com

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Good idea Red Mule.

1. A park that doesn't make my family feel uncomfortable or unsafe (try going to Roeding Park in Fresno.. you will race back to Oakhurst park)
2. Sweet Tomatoes (not even DiCiccos is doing well.. and you expect Sweet Tomatoes to do well?)
3. A real downtown (I know this isn't feasible) Yeah.. exactly.
4. Indoor Putt-Putt ( yeah right.. lets focus on our natural abilities... Yosemite.. skiing... bass lake...)
5. Less tourists ( And the town dies with out tourists.)

[jakobscalpel]

And the long lost post is resurrected....

1. Try going to Roeding Park in Fresno.. you will race back to Oakhurst park

REPLY: Try going to the Woodward or Oso de Oro parks in Fresno and you will never go to the Oakhurst park again.

2. not even DiCiccos is doing well.. and you expect Sweet Tomatoes to do well?

REPLY: DiCiccos isn't very good (sorry), especially for a sit down experience. I have to imagine their target is locals and people staying overnight. Sweet Tomatoes would be more accessible to folks traveling through as well. But no, I wouldn't expect it to succeed. A nice to have.

3. A real downtown (I know this isn't feasible) Yeah.. exactly.

REPLY: Yep, exactly.

4. Indoor Putt-Putt ( yeah right.. lets focus on our natural abilities... Yosemite.. skiing... bass lake...)

REPLY: Those have always been there and will always be there. If you don't feel like hiking, don't want to spend five minutes in our small bookstore, don't want to drink in the Oakroom, don't want to watch a movie in a theater, and don't go to church, there is little to do in town. I like miniature golf and would like one closer than north Fresno. If it would make money I'd do it myself. Notice I haven't opened one yet.

5. Less tourists ( And the town dies with out tourists.)
REPLY: That is probably true. We will see in the next three years.

[Iris]

Its really nice to see people here

Lisa

http://www.fluver.com

fluver, I find your post to be a bit peculiar and wonder if it is one in a series to get you to the required 10 posts needed to post photos...
I noted that you have also made reference to a site that sells flowers and gifts.
Please be advised that Advertising/Spam is STRICTLY Prohibited (a condition to which you agreed when registering) on this site, and will result not only in the removal of the Spam, but additionally in an automatic 1 Year ban from this site.

[dancingqueen]

My first thought this morning when reading Fluver's postings was, someone has insomnia and is not making a whole lot of sense in the middle of the night.

[Iris]

My first thought this morning when reading Fluver's postings was, someone has insomnia and is not making a whole lot of sense in the middle of the night.

According to her profile, she is located in India, therefore it would have been 2-ish in the afternoon there... ;) (We are about 12 1/2 hours behind the time in India)

Anyway, the warning post to fluver is done, and I am now way off topic myself...

[Mysteefied]

I noticed activity going on in the store next to Curves, where the bmx bike shop was, anyone know anything?

[BooBooBear]

I noticed activity going on in the store next to Curves, where the bmx bike shop was, anyone know anything?

Do you see any wagon wheels or western stuff moving in???

[only1alphafemale]

Do you see any wagon wheels or western stuff moving in???

:rofl: Quick thinking there BBBear! :lol:

[Mysteefied]

I didn't see any of those things...and trust me, I looked!

[Sandman]

:rofl: Too funny.

I will tell you, my Mom has signed a lease on commercial space in Oakhurst. It's on Hwy 41.

[Mysteefied]

:rofl: Too funny.

I will tell you, my Mom has signed a lease on commercial space in Oakhurst. It's on Hwy 41.

but what kind of business? We gotta know what we're looking forward to!

[powerstroke01]

I want a hobby shop. I wish i had the resources.. :(
Its at least an hour drive to the closest decent one. At least for me.


:)

[Sandman]

but what kind of business? We gotta know what we're looking forward to!

I can't say publicly yet. I'll be able to tell you soon though. I have a feeling you'll be a regular customer though, as will many people that use this website. :yes:

[Mysteefied]

I can't say publicly yet. I'll be able to tell you soon though. I have a feeling you'll be a regular customer though, as will many people that use this website. :yes:

hmm....curiouser and curiouser. LOL not sure if that's how you spell it, but you get the point.

[monkey]

I think she will be selling old fashioned western wagons for little people.

[Sandman]

I think she will be selling old fashioned western wagons for little people.
:fp:

:o How did you guess?

[Iris]

I think she will be selling old fashioned western wagons for little people.

Ahhh, I see! She will open on Saint Patrick's Day as she is selling small wagons for the "Wee People" :irish::rotflmao:

[dancingqueen]

I feel that we need a crisis line in our community. A number to call when people need to know where they can go for a free meal, a sack of groceries, a shelter if they are being abused, who will help them with utility payments, firewood if they have run out, time and place for different support groups. AND hundreds of other things that we all need help with.

[BooBooBear]

I feel that we need a crisis line in our community. A number to call when people need to know where they can go for a free meal, a sack of groceries, a shelter if they are being abused, who will help them with utility payments, firewood if they have run out, time and place for different support groups. AND hundreds of other things that we all need help with.

That is a fabulous idea DQ. Not sure how such an endeavor can get off the ground and then you have to have someone/several someones willing to man the phones respond to emails. Would be nice to have something like that on the web but you'd also have to have it available via the phone for those who don't have internet.

[dancingqueen]

We would need a non-profit that is willing to support the crisis line. Volunteers to man it. Does not have to be 24 hrs if that is unmanagable.

[Red Mule]

I would volunteer some time for this good cause.

[Yosemite Joy]

We would need a non-profit that is willing to support the crisis line. Volunteers to man it. Does not have to be 24 hrs if that is unmanagable.

I would help.

[Mysteefied]

I would definatly volunteer my time!

[dancingqueen]

Well, to tell you the truth, 2 years ago I developed a crisis line referral book for a non-profit that decided they did not want to go in that direction. It would need to be updated and I would be more than willing to work on that. I would also be very willing to take a regular shift on the crisis line. Does anyone have any connections with a non-profit or a business that would give us a desk and a phone line that is dedicated to the crisis line? When I worked in Monterey the non-profit that I worked at had a 24 hr crisis line and that is what I modeled the one I put together after. It is very much like the referral books that are used by Rape Crisis and Suicide Prevention and Domestic Violence crisis lines, but even had a broader scope because it was not dedicated to one issue. Ours was a 24 hr line and was manned by volunteers from 8a.m. to 8p.m. and then we had 1 paid ($6.00 per hr.) for the other hours. The reason it was 24 hours was because it was part of the runaway and homeless youth grant. Very few calls come in during the night. Anyway, I have to leave for my crochet class but think we need to keep this ball rolling.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Something like this is a HUGE endeavour! great idea. but one that needs people trained to take care of/handle crisis issues. such as abuse etc. There is Manna House in Oakhurst that is available for food, clothing etc. A crisis line etc would best be combined with Manna House or some other organization. I also know that other people have looked into such an idea with Madera County and they were basically unwilling to start a crisis line/home for abused individuals. I believe the city of Madera has more available.

[only1alphafemale]

Up until about 4 (?) years ago there was a local crisis home up here, for battered/abused women and their children, but it was closed due to the loss of funding.
Everyone from up here in that type of circumstance is now taken down to Madera.

[dancingqueen]

When ever we had a new crisis line volunteer they went through a 4 hr training. I have access to the manual and would be willing to do the first training with a start up group of volunteers. They are not counseling people they are a friendly voice with referrals at their finger tips. The agency that I worked for absorbed all of the costs because the CL was written into a grant. My amazing secretary then compiled the referrals into a 3 ring binder with each page in a plastic sleeve. Every year we called every referral and updated our book. We then sold them for $10.00 each to other agencies, the library, police and fire departments, schools, churches etc. You are correct, this is a huge project, one that should not be taken lightly. But, is that a reason to give up on it? We would not even need a private office, just a desk in a quiet section of a room with a phone line that is dedicated to the crisis line, meaning no other calls are made on it so it is available for an emergency. We were even able to trace a call incase we got a suicidal person on the phone. In this small community that would not be necessary we could just call the Sheriff. Anyway, I have the referral book right here at my desk if anyone knows of someone in need just PM me and I will see if I can find something to help them out.

[HIS_MOM]

Up until about 4 (?) years ago there was a local crisis home up here, for battered/abused women and their children, but it was closed due to the loss of funding.
Everyone from up here in that type of circumstance is now taken down to Madera.

they dont even offer to take you to madera county....when i went throgh domestic violence with my youngest sons dad all they could do was issue an epo and get victim services involved. there is a victim service office in the basslake court house wich helps with alot...maybe they would be interested in setting up a crisis line.

[only1alphafemale]

they dont even offer to take you to madera county....when i went throgh domestic violence with my youngest sons dad all they could do was issue an epo and get victim services involved. there is a victim service office in the basslake court house wich helps with alot...maybe they would be interested in setting up a crisis line.

VS already has an 800 number crisis line ~ They offer a lot of assistance, but this is only in the realm of domestic abuse.~ and not for homelessness. There is NO good homeless program up here, only down Madera, (The Mission and one other I believe) but we do have several types of different food bank programs and also the Work Force office in Oakhurst is where you can go and apply for state welfare assistance/food stamps and so forth. (In both an emergency or non emergency type of need).

[Red Mule]

We have a crisis line need, people with experience and knowledge, and some willing volunteers. I think all we need is someone willing to advocate and lead. Anyone willing to take on that role?

[dancingqueen]

I would be willing to take that role in June. We have lots of travel planned for March/April and May.

[HIS_MOM]

i think there is a great need for assistance for young and old in need. i know i always wanted to open an apartment complex for young moms who have no credit and little money and rent to them. i remember being 18 with 2 very small children and very little income and trying to find a place to live was a joke.

i ended up in reedley an hour an a half away from friends and family because there were low income apartments that didnt have a 2 year waiting list. that apartment complex helped me get on my feet.


i would love to help out....

[dancingqueen]

A store that sells lampshades.

[snowline]

TrueValue Hardware store in Oakhurst sells lampshades. You can find them at the thrift stores too.

[BGW]

TrueValue Hardware store in Oakhurst sells lampshades. You can find them at the thrift stores too.

One would think Matthew's Furniture would carry them?? Not sure though.

[dancingqueen]

Thank you, I like that store but had not thought of them, I will give them a call. True Value didn't have what I need for a beautiful floor lamp from the 50's, just needs a new shade.

[dancingqueen]

I think what this town needs is just more of what we already have. Wonderful, friendly and helpful shop owners. Let me just take a moment to tell you about a few owners I have dealt with in the past few days. The owners of the Bargain Barn are just always helpful, wanting to know if there is anything that we want them to carry that they could stock for us. Saturday Market. Mandy and her husband go to auction every week, they have really expanded their store and have much more stuff now than they used to. All you have to do is tell them what it is that you are looking for and the highest price you would pay and they will look for it at auction for you and if it isn't exactly what you wanted you are not obliged to buy it. I was in there today and bought some jackets for a coat drive that I am helping out with. When Mandy found out she wanted lots of info and said they would love to help out with the coat drive. I told her I would put her in touch with the right person. Last week I had gone to all of the usual places that I go in town looking for beautiful holiday paper plates and napkins for finger foods and dessert. Just had no luck and decided I would have to go to Fresno. On my way home I stopped at the party store in Coarsegold, next door to Goldmine pizza. Oh, what a helpful and very nice lady the owner is. She told me that she was getting a shipment in on Tuesday and that they were just beautiful (so many of the Turkeys this year are just strange looking). When I went in today she remembered me and said she had them in the back that several people had come in asking for them and she was keeping them in the back until she had filled those orders. Just a wonderful shopping experience, no frustration, no long lines, no long drive, no traffic and hard to find parking spaces. Just happy, very willing to please shop owners. I love this community!!!!!!

[Dave_osu52]

All our present problems are the result unplanned expansion . Back in the 50's n 60's Oakhurst was like a Shangrala especially in the winter . I wonder what folks will be saying in another 50 yrs .

The folks in business up here are working very hard trying to make a buck lets try to help them all we can

[horsebackrider]

Great post!!!

I second the following:

1. A store like Trader Joe's, even if the prices were higher.
4. A recycling program - I would definitely separate my recyclables.

[gourmetgirl]

All I Want Is A Clothing Store Other Than A Thrift Store! Where I Can Buy New Clothes And Housewares For Gifts Or For My Own Home. I Don't Drive So Never Go To Fresno! And No One Can Try On Clothes In Fresno For Me! Why Is This Such An Issue To Keep A Decent Clothing Store For Women And Men In This Town. In Fact There Should Be Even More Than One! I Know....gripe...gripe!

[powerstroke01]

Id still really like to see a hobby shop/craftstore somewhere nearby.. Fresno is tooooo far.

[FoothillMama]

All I Want Is A Clothing Store Other Than A Thrift Store! Where I Can Buy New Clothes And Housewares For Gifts Or For My Own Home. I Don't Drive So Never Go To Fresno! And No One Can Try On Clothes In Fresno For Me! Why Is This Such An Issue To Keep A Decent Clothing Store For Women And Men In This Town. In Fact There Should Be Even More Than One! I Know....gripe...gripe!

Didn't someone mention Pants and Things having some nice women's clothing?

[BooBooBear]

Id still really like to see a hobby shop/craftstore somewhere nearby.. Fresno is tooooo far.

Why not open one yourself???

[powerstroke01]

Why not open one yourself???
Ive actually been tossing around the idea. I just have no idea where to start.

[Red Mule]

Do not borrow money you cannot afford to lose to start any business in Oakhurst in this economy. You will regret it. I also think there was a local hobby store not that long ago. But it is not around any longer. I assume because of a lack of local business sufficient to stay in business.

[Sandman]

FYI: This is a good article: http://www.yosemitearea.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8996

[powerstroke01]

Do not borrow money you cannot afford to lose to start any business in Oakhurst in this economy. You will regret it. I also think there was a local hobby store not that long ago. But it is not around any longer. I assume because of a lack of local business sufficient to stay in business.
Thats what im worried about.

I just want a hole in the wall type place.....
I know there are alot of people into RC up here..... But are there enough? Could i bring more people into hobbies?

If there ever was a hobby store up here i didnt know about it. Probably lack of advertising?!?!??!

No idea on most of this. Owning a hobby shop is just a dream of mine.

[MtnBreeze]

The Trading Post has some craft supplies ...mostly beading but some other stuff...I think if you talk to Glen he might be able to give you an idea of need.

[geonorva]

I would definitely love to see a Trader Joes, but sometimes I need ingredients that I can get at our local grocery stores, TJ's, or Whole Foods so I would like to see a specialty food store that has hard to find ingredients.

[pap]

Pak and Page is starting to expand in to general crafts what are you looking for? We have scrapbooking, and other crafting supply's. I want to expand to oher areas so let us know.:yes: