64 replies to this topic

[Steve Heard]

 

it does appear to not be great.  arts and entertainment are fine from 6 to 10 pm, its what happens later that creates huge problems down there.  I like the stores like Clouds, Not Too Shabby, Melange, Grey's Antiques, Pacific Western Traders.  I would like to see more like them.  I think there are plenty of bars and restaurants now.  That's my point.

 

EAH, you know how it used to be.  a nice place to visit and stroll along, shop.  like Sutter Creek or Calistoga's main street.  diverse things for everyone.

 

and if you think those store owners are only there 11 to 5, 5 days a week, you are mistaken.  again, until you know what its like to run a business down there, a unique, non-corporate business, then don't criticize.  More bars and night time businesses aren't some great thing for our little historic town unless you want more bars on windows, more crime reports, more graffiti and fewer places to take your out of town visitors. 

 

I'm just saying Balance, not one way or the other.  and until the funding is in place to shade the amphitheater, no one is going to enjoy that place until after dark.  It is going to be a great asset for the district and the FHDA is on that. 

 

the good thing is....people are interested.  that's the good thing.  Sutter Street and the historic district really is the heart and soul of this community.

 

I am absolutely in favor of balance and having a mix of businesses for day and night visitors. 

 

There just doesn't seem to be any consensus on what that balance should be nor on who will step up and bring it. 

 

There are quite a few empty storefronts on Sutter Street waiting for someone to open up shop. 

 

The historic district and/or merchants association puts on events, such as Second Saturday, and visitors come down to find many of the shops closed. It seems like wasted effort on the part of those who put it together.

 

I don't want it to become the zoo that is Second Saturday Sacramento, but I would like to see more shops open.

 

Last year when there was trouble among some bad kids hanging out there and talk of curtailing the activities in Sac, the local news crews interviewed merchants about it. Some said that Second Saturday, that one day per month, is what kept them in business. It was their most profitable night and worth the effort.

 

When my kids were small, years before I moved here, we had a routine when we'd visit. I'd take them to the Zoo, the House of Turquoise and to Snooks (back when they were below Hacienda). Even back then, there wasn't much else for families. It was mostly antique stores, home decor, a couple of galleries and bars.

 

The Historic District, as you said, is the heart and soul of this community, and I spend a lot of time down there. 

 

I'd like to see more casual dining, a grocery/convenience store and a live music venue that features jazz. 

 

Other than that, I got nothin...

[4thgenFolsomite]

I would love to see a kitchen store, like the one in Yuba City or in Jackson.  I would like to see another hair salon.  And a lunch café like Seasons, remember that one?  Fresh and light food for the day.  I think a gourmet specialty grocery/food store would be awesome too.  And a knitting/yarn store or quilting-crafting store.

[cw68]

I think an old-school hardware store would be great. One that carries a little but if everything. But realistically we have too many big box stores close-by to make that a viable business.

[4thgenFolsomite]

I think an old-school hardware store would be great. One that carries a little but if everything. But realistically we have too many big box stores close-by to make that a viable business.

 

I think that is a great idea.  Sort of what Restoration Hardware was when they first opened.  Nostaglia, reproduction historic, hand tools, etc.

[SacKen]

So many great ideas around here. As long as it is someone else's time, money, heart and soul, that is.

[4thgenFolsomite]

So many great ideas around here. As long as it is someone else's time, money, heart and soul, that is.

 

believe it or not, there are people with all three!

[cw68]

 
I think that is a great idea.  Sort of what Restoration Hardware was when they first opened.  Nostaglia, reproduction historic, hand tools, etc.

Not exactly. I was thinking more like Frederickson Hardware on Fillmore in the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco. It's a place that serves the locals but can grab tourists, too, because you can pick up anything there.

There's a great hardware store in Calistoga by the Palisades Market that I love, Silverado Ace Hardware. I stop by every time I am there. I have even bought retro rainbow sole flip flops there. One never knows what they will have. Hardware to lawn/garden to housewares to cleaning to seasonal items (beach towels) and such. They even have a service department.

Again, I don't think it would be viable unless the whole block picks up more traffic, but I would still love it.

[Steve Heard]

I would love to see a kitchen store, like the one in Yuba City or in Jackson.  I would like to see another hair salon.  And a lunch café like Seasons, remember that one?  Fresh and light food for the day.  I think a gourmet specialty grocery/food store would be awesome too.  And a knitting/yarn store or quilting-crafting store.

 

Love the idea of a gourmet food store!

 

 

 

Not exactly. I was thinking more like Frederickson Hardware on Fillmore in the Cow Hollow neighborhood of San Francisco. It's a place that serves the locals but can grab tourists, too, because you can pick up anything there.

There's a great hardware store in Calistoga by the Palisades Market that I love, Silverado Ace Hardware. I stop by every time I am there. I have even bought retro rainbow sole flip flops there. One never knows what they will have. Hardware to lawn/garden to housewares to cleaning to seasonal items (beach towels) and such. They even have a service department.

Again, I don't think it would be viable unless the whole block picks up more traffic, but I would still love it.

 

Folsom ACE hardware was located where Snowline Hospice is, but they went out of business after Orchard and Lowe's opened.  

[cw68]

 
Love the idea of a gourmet food store!
 
 
 
 
Folsom ACE hardware was located where Snowline Hospice is, but they went out of business after Orchard and Lowe's opened.  

This would have to speak to a different market - people on foot. Like City Targets and how they focus on people who take public transportation. But, wouldn't work anyway.

[nomad]

 

Love the idea of a gourmet food store!

 

 

 

 

Folsom ACE hardware was located where Snowline Hospice is, but they went out of business after Orchard and Lowe's opened.  

I thought it was called Parker's HW? Was it ACE?

[ducky]

I thought it was called Parker's HW? Was it ACE?

 

I think it was Folsom Lumber Ace Hardware and then further down the street was Pioneer Hardware, which I believe was a True Value store.

[4thgenFolsomite]

 

I think it was Folsom Lumber Ace Hardware and then further down the street was Pioneer Hardware, which I believe was a True Value store.

yes, Ducky got it right.  Bob Creasy owned Folsom Lumber, which became an Ace Hardware.  Pioneer Hardware went out first, then Folsom Lumber.  Gosh, I miss those stores and the great helpful fun people who worked in them!  You could find anything you needed in there and get great advise from trusted friends on how to fix something, then chat another few minutes about some local news or the weather.  it was great.  Mr. Creasy was a great duck hunter too.  He and my dad used to go hunting sometimes.

[mrdavex]

Don't forget that we still have American River Ace Hardware at Greenback & Madison.  I love going there; just wish it were on this side of the river.  While it can be more pricey than Home Depot or Lowes, the ability to quickly find what you're looking for and great customer service is priceless.  They are have some odds and ends you can't find at the Big Box stores. 

 

For those in the Sac metro area, East Sac Hardware & Emigh Hardware are great too.  I also pop in to Davis Ace Hardware & Housewares when I'm in that area.  They have a much better kitchenware selection than Crate & Barrel. 

[caligirlz]

Love ACE Hardware, especially Emigh Hardware. I never go to the one on Greenback & Madison, it's too far out of the way. And when I am passing through, I just want to get home so I never stop. 

[cw68]

Don't forget that we still have American River Ace Hardware at Greenback & Madison.  I love going there; just wish it were on this side of the river.  While it can be more pricey than Home Depot or Lowes, the ability to quickly find what you're looking for and great customer service is priceless.  They are have some odds and ends you can't find at the Big Box stores. 

 

For those in the Sac metro area, East Sac Hardware & Emigh Hardware are great too.  I also pop in to Davis Ace Hardware & Housewares when I'm in that area.  They have a much better kitchenware selection than Crate & Barrel. 

 

 

Don't forget that we still have American River Ace Hardware at Greenback & Madison.  I love going there; just wish it were on this side of the river.  While it can be more pricey than Home Depot or Lowes, the ability to quickly find what you're looking for and great customer service is priceless.  They are have some odds and ends you can't find at the Big Box stores. 

 

For those in the Sac metro area, East Sac Hardware & Emigh Hardware are great too.  I also pop in to Davis Ace Hardware & Housewares when I'm in that area.  They have a much better kitchenware selection than Crate & Barrel. 

I love that Ace Hardware. Also shop East Sac and Emigh. My favorite no frills hardware store was Land Park's Broadway Hardware. Those little stores are a dying breed. Some places have made them work, like the Ace Hardware in Truckee (I love that place SO much. Buy tools and yoga stuff? Sign me up!), but that's because they don't have the competition of the big box stores. OK, I'm done posting on this because I'm repeating myself.