Business What’s happening on Main Street? By Millie Drum Remembering Gigi Cohoon It’s been a year to the month that Chris Weygandt Alba wrote a heartfelt tribute to Gigi. She battled cancer; sadly passing away last year. She touched many in her 25 years in downtown always with her optimism and determination to do well with her business. Recently, family and friends gathered in the City Park to honor a little lady that will always be remembered for her big smile and courageous spirit. SHOP SMALL Every Day! In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday®…the Saturday after Thanksgiving; after the media frenzy of Black Friday. The national campaign works. SHOP SMALL encourages people to shop at small businesses that “write the story of America.” It is an effective marketing campaign that ties a purchase with an American Express card on that day with a bounce back discount. It worked. But why not SHOP SMALL every day? Executive Director Norma Moye tells me, “I did all of my Christmas shopping downtown.” The owners of small businesses make their living by bringing goods and services to us. They are not only our friends, neighbors and fellow citizens; they are the heart and “center” of Paso Robles within the Downtown Main Street Association. From family businesses to start-ups and independents, these businesses give our town character while adding to the feeling of prosperity. But really, do all of our small business owners feel prosperous? I believe that most people think our small businesses are charming and unique…and prosperous since many have endured hard times and are still in business. But honestly, many will also reluctantly admit to not helping small business thrive by spending their money elsewhere...online and at the one-stop mega retailers; for convenience. Thankfully, we have waves of seasonal and event related tourism that brings people into the businesses. When is the last time you played tourist in your own hometown? New Biz Downtown I check with Norma every month for the latest news about changes downtown. She always says, “Things are moving so fast, we can hardly keep up!” Expansions, re-locations, and new businesses are just part of the dynamics of a successful downtown. The latest expansion is tucked away on Railroad Street, next door to Bless Your Heart Baking. Owner Rose Hawthorne has expanded next door with Follow Your Heart Café now offering breakfast, lunch and catering! The menu offers gluten free and low glycemic choices, some of which are vegan and vegetarian. Visit 1335 Railroad Ave., Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 227-4969. Making the Holidays Bright These businesses received a special thank you for bringing the holiday spirit to the community: All Around Sweepstakes - Hotel Cheval; Special Award - Derby Wine; Best Holiday theme - The Cottage; Best Decorated Business (interior/exterior) - Pan Jewelers; Best Holiday window - Berkshire Hathaway Home Services; Best Holiday Lighting (inside) - Park Cinemas; Best Holiday Lighting (outside) - Paso Robles The Wedding & Special Event EXPO is Sunday, March 1 from 11 am to 3 pm at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom. Plan your next special occasion with local resources for venues, catering, music, photography, transportation and accommodations! Call Main Street at 238-4103 for more information. Inn; Mrs. Claus Award - Firefly; Judge’s Award - Vic’s Café; Creative Award - Ambiance; Santa’s Award - San Luis Sports Therapy; Traditional Award - Birch Fabrics; Outstanding Award - We Olive; Spirit Award - Bodegas Paso Robles; Elf Award - Little Wash; Artistic Award - Sole Tree; Angel Award - AndBe Boutique; Reindeer Award - Village Thrift; and Candy Cane Award - Powell’s Sweet Shoppe. Stay in touch with me at mildrum@sbcglobal.net. I’d love to hear your stories about Downtown Paso Robles! ‘ ’ THIS THAT NA collection of stuff Crab Feed SLO Co. Foundation for Agriculture Awareness and The Heritage Foundation present the 15th annual Crab Feed on Saturday, Feb. 7, 4 p.m. at PR Event / Center, Estrella Hall, 2198 Riverside Ave. All you can eat dungeness crab, clam pasta, bread and salad, hot fudge sundaes…beer and wine included…$55 per person. Tickets: Hugh Pitts 591-5226 or hugh @hughpitts.com Mardi Gras Carnival Cinco de Mayo Scholarship Committee and Hispanice Business Association present the Mardi Gras Carnival on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6 - 9 p.m. Paso Robles Inn Ballroom, food, cocktails, entertainment, costume contest and silent auction. Meet at 5:30 p.m. in Downtown Park for parade to the Inn. Honoring Henry Elisarraraz, Linda Quesenberry and Dr. Warren Frankel. Tickets $40, call Richard Benitez 238-2735 or Marcia Garcia 835-7900. Fish Fries The San Miguel Lions Club presents their Fish Fries every Friday night, beginning <strong>February</strong> 20 through April 3, 4 to 7 p.m. at the San Miguel Community Center, 253 13th Street, in San Miguel. You can dine in and catch up with old friends or take it home to enjoy. Dinners are $12 which includes fish, french fries, cole slaw, a drink and an ice cream cup. For more information, call Lion Pug at 459-4722 or Lion Terry at 459-4722 Ladies Conference The Annual Ladies’ Conference will be held March 6 and 7 at the Colony Park Community Center in Atascadero, with speaker Liz Hammer and music by Lisa Reiff Band. Registration is $60 and includes dessert on Friday, coffee break and lunch on Saturday. Register at, www. LadiesConference.com, or call 466-0992. 48 Paso Robles <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>February</strong> <strong>2015</strong>
<strong>February</strong> <strong>2015</strong>, Paso Robles <strong>Magazine</strong> 49
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