| Author | Message | ||
     marian Citizen Username: Marian Post Number: 556 Registered: 9-2001 |
We had the most amazing take-out Mexican food from Carmelita's over the weekend. (Truly the best Mexican vittles in the area, IMHO.) When I picked up the food, I asked the woman behind the counter what the deal was with Carlos the owner trying to sell the business. She said that business had not been as good as he had expected here (he moved from Hoboken to Maplewood a few years ago), but it sounded like he was hesitant to sell and she said if business picked up, he would reconsider. That got me thinking about what I can do -- actually what we ALL can do -- to save the character of the downtown that most of us love so much. We all talk among ourselves and on MOL about how we don't like all the nail salons coming in and how important it is to keep vital businesses afloat. And it seems like such a simple concept to employ: PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS and buy as much as possible of what you need here in Maplewood. Not just downtown, but on Springfield Ave., too. Many of us, myself included her, talk a good game about it, yet I still find myself buying fish at the Whole Foods, getting my kid's hair cut at the mall, etc. NO MORE--I have now made a pledge that whatever I can buy in Maplewood will be bought here. NO EXCUSES. If that means paying a few more dollars for my son's shoes, I think that's a small price to pay for preserving the character of the town I love so much. I beg, plead, and implore the rest of you to put your money where you mouth is too and spend as much as you can right here in town. I know this topic has been discussed before, but I think it's important to keep bringing up. Especially in the wake of the news that Celebrated Foods is closing too. (I LOVED that place :-( | ||
| Bill P Citizen Username: Mrincredible Post Number: 23 Registered: 1-2005  |
Marian, I wish it were that easy. Okay, there's another nail place opening in downtown Maplewood. Now, I'm not a total believer in market forces but I think this boils down to demand. If a store opens and nobody goes there it's going to shut down. Likewise if a nail place opens and they're paying the bills and making a profit it's not going anywhere. I'm also not sure your argument follows from retail stores like Cornercopia to food establishments. A lot of a restaurant's success is determined by preference: from another thread on another part of the message board I got the impression that a lot of people just don't like the food from Carmelita's ... although it sounds like you do. I don't want to debate their food ... I've never had it and it looks like I never will, but that's not the point here. If people in general don't like a restaurant's food it's going to close. Look at St. James' Gate ... half the time you can't get in there. Some people also think there's a glut of restaurants in Maplewood. Some are wildly popular, others aren't. It's unfortunate for those which don't succeed, but it's the nature of the business. I try to spend my money in Maplewood, both downtown and up on Springfield Ave. But I won't overpay in a place like King's, I hated dealing with the people at the old Maplewood pharmacy and hardware store, whatever that was, and I hate to spend $2 for a cookie at the Cafe on the corner. Perhaps being willing to overspend is just supporting an inflated real estate market in town. In the meantime, I'll keep taking my dry cleaning to Linda's, eating at the diner, getting takeout from Hunan Wok, shopping at Kokoro and going to the movies right here in Maplewood. When I can find a parking space. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3845 Registered: 5-2001  |
Marian- I agree. A couple Saturdays ago, I made a conscious effort to do all my errand in the village. Banked at BA Decaf skim latte at Sage Groceries at Kings (small items only; still too expensive for everything). Baby gift at Kokoro Just-because gift for TS at Richard Roberts Dry cleaning on Baker Francesca for tailoring Took home lunch from Roman Gourmet Camera batteries from Maplewood Camera This past weekend: Breakfast at Bagel Chateau Gift made at Paintin the Plates Coffee at Village Coffee Take out from Bill & Harry's Other regular haunts: Mapleleaf Anthony Garubos (not as much anymore, but still get facials) Wine store Jocelyne's There are other places I want to patronize but can't because of time, poor service, poor quality, obnoxious employees, too expensive to remotely justify, not open Sundays, etc. It always takes longer to do errands in the village, since I chat with all the merchants & run into people on the street. And that's a good thing. | ||
| Bill P Citizen Username: Mrincredible Post Number: 24 Registered: 1-2005 |
Greenetree, Where is Francesa for tailoring? I encourage my wife to go to Anthony Garubo's, even though it's fairly expensive. Not just because it's in the village, but because she always gets a great haircut and fabulous service. I also love and often patronize most of the places you list above. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3846 Registered: 5-2001 |
Francesca is on Baker St. She is a wonderful tailor. I've had her do everything from hemming to replicating an expensive blouse ruined by the former Kean's Cleaners. The only caveat is that she tends to run behind, so you have to tell her you need things before yuo actually do. I stopped going to Garubo's for manicures because I couldn't justify the price; they aren't that much better to be double the cost of the cheap places. But, I will indulge in the occasional pedicure, because I have tough feet & need the industrial strength pedicures. I don't get my hair done there anymore, either. I've found someone who is just as good, although not as convenient. I just got tired of being charged another $35 for a blow-out after a $150 dye job, for each pump of product that goes into my hair when they do blow it out (did you know tht each time they put a dollop of gel, etc. in your hair that they charge you?), etc. I will say that I think that Choon gives the best facials and massages, but you have to book about 6 weeks ahead of time for a Saturday and she doesn't have evening appointments, so I'm looking for alternatives for those, too. Garubo's is mostly convenient for the ladies-who-lunch/SAHM-with-money crowd. If you have a crazy schedule & have to schedule things with less notice (and I'm talking a week), not so much. I've scheduled things, had a business trip pop up and called to reschedule a week and a half before hand, only to find that nothing is available within a couple weeks. | ||
| gj1 Citizen Username: Gj1 Post Number: 118 Registered: 11-2003 |
marian - That's encouraging. Hopefully Carlos will decide to stay as I'll really miss Carmelita's if it closes. IMO Carmelits's is the best local Mexican. I'd compare Toro Loco to "Mexican Day" at my office cafeteria and Tinga I found to be just a step or two above Taco Bell. Both mediocre. Carmalita's rocks. Good burritos (Carmelita burrito is my "usual"), tomales, empanadas and always a nice little salad along with the order. BYOB too! Carlos is very nice and you can usually count on him for a bad joke or two. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 3480 Registered: 9-2001 |
"I beg, plead, and implore the rest of you to put your money where you mouth is too and spend as much as you can right here in town." Two thumbs up for Marian... Really, keeping a business going anywhere in Maplewood is a real challenge. Things are clearly improving, but between the high rents and the present unfavorable mix of businesses, merchants need all the support they can get from local residents. Strong business districts keep property values up. Come on Molers, spread the word and show your support, someday the business you save could be your own… I also think about what we all can do to save the character and vitality of our town. IMHO, the community in large measure shapes the character and diversity of the businesses that open, and or survive. Even if it means paying a few more dollars for something, as Marian said, it really is a small price to pay. | ||
| marian Citizen Username: Marian Post Number: 557 Registered: 9-2001 |
gj1, Glad to hear you're a fellow Carmelita's fan. I am very picky about Mexican and rarely can find Mexican that I'm willing to eat on the East Coast, but Carmelita's is the real deal. To Bill P. and others who have not tried Carmelita's yet, I hope you will consider eating there or getting some take-out soon. The food is fanstastic and it would be a real shame if that place went out of business. | ||
| doulamomma Citizen Username: Doulamomma Post Number: 265 Registered: 3-2002 |
Great idea Marian - this is something I generally make a point of doing anyway, but good to get others thinking on the same track. My criteria: I have to think the good/service is as good as what I might get elsewhere, regardless of price. I also make a point of letting shop owners know if I really want something or think they are missing out on a natural market (like Bobux at the kids' shoe place...I let them know & (perhaps) they responded & now carry them. Best, DoulaMomma | ||
| Meandtheboys Citizen Username: Meandtheboys Post Number: 158 Registered: 12-2004 |
Bill P: "When I can find a parking space." Amen. For me that's the biggest problem I have when I'm in town. Sometimes I circle around looking for a spot for 20 minutes. And it's not even that I'm looking to be close to where I need to go. There are often no spots at all. I do walk a lot, but I can't always walk. And it's even worse when I'm with three kids. Then, I really want a spot close to where I'm trying to go, so I don't have to heard the whole crew halfway across town just to get a bagel. And I absolutely will not use the video store in town anymore. We've had countless overdue videos and DVD's because I could not find a spot to pull in, jump out of my car and drop it off, and I didn't have 20 minutes to try to find one! I absolutely refuse to drag three kids out of the car, particularly in bad weather, just to return a video. I like Carmelitas just fine. My only issue with them is they rarely have guacamole. As far as I'm concerned guacamole is going to be the reason I go, or don't go, to a mexican restaurant. When I've asked why, I get some silly nonsense about avocados aren't in season. I can get a ripe avocado at Whole Foods all year round! Another great store in town (IMHO) I haven't seen mentioned: Scrivners. The folks there have always been very nice and very helpful. Even put together some party favors for me based solely on a phone conversation. | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 410 Registered: 11-2001 |
Funny not one mention of SA. From Greentrees post most of the same things can be done up there too. And within one block. Let's see... Banked at BA Decaf skim latte at NetNomads Groceries at Kings (small items only; still too expensive for everything). Ok you can't do this... Baby gift at Wooden You Know Just-because gift for TS at Richard Roberts Ok can't do this either. Dry cleaning at Gus's Gus's for tailoring Took home lunch from Pizza Primo Camera batteries from Tophs phamcy We need to support all the local business. Not just the village. | ||
| marian Citizen Username: Marian Post Number: 558 Registered: 9-2001 |
Growler, I totally agree and I did mention Springfield Ave. in my original post. "I try to spend my money in Maplewood, both downtown and up on Springfield Ave." And you are absolutely correct that Net Nomads is wonderful and I love the toys at Wooden You Know It. I'm buying almost all of my kiddie birthday gifts there now. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 3847 Registered: 5-2001 |
Growler - Baby gift at Wooden? As in a 7 day old? Wouldn't have occurred to me.  FWIW - I get all of TS's prescriptions filled at Toph's (they don't take my obscure insurance) and I run in there regular OTC pharma things. Do they carry specialty camera batteries? I've found that I need to go to a camera store for this camera. Some fancy pro-thing that TS likes to lug around. Although, I am less fond of Maplewood Dry Cleaner's since the new owners took over. Stuff just doesn't look as good. How is Gus quality and price-wise? I'm willing to try him. I go to Sherwin-Williams (never Ricciardi's or HD) for paint, etc. Burnett BBQ. I trust Francesca and like Roman Gourmet's pizza, so that's not gonna change. Well, let me take that back: if we want more than a slice, we now get pizza from Bunny's. I tried to get my nails done on SA, but I can't go to those places that use the airbrush & toxic chemicals. If the workers have to wear masks to sit there, how do they expect customers to? Ironically, I have tried to stop at Wooden a couple of times, but there hasn't been parking at the times I've gone by when they've been open. For some reason, I never have a problem parking in the Village. You just need to be willing to walk a couple blocks. | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 411 Registered: 11-2001 |
I stand corrected....and am totally impressed. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 5419 Registered: 1-2003  |
I got an idea. I generally buy books from Amazon, out of habit. Suppose I went to the local bookstore and asked them to match Amazon's prices plus about 10% or 15%. I suppose I'd be willing to pay that much to support a local business. You think they'd go for it? And would it help local businesses significantly if they had a policy like that? | ||
| bottomline Citizen Username: Bottomline Post Number: 181 Registered: 8-2003 |
Tom, The local bookstore is already competitive with Amazon, in the percentage range you indicated, and they are fast and efficient with special orders. Give them a try. | ||
| marian Citizen Username: Marian Post Number: 559 Registered: 9-2001 |
Bottomline--that's good to know about Goldfinch Books. Will definitely start buying all my books there now, too. | ||
| sbenois Citizen Username: Sbenois Post Number: 13158 Registered: 10-2001  |
Isn't there a chocolate tasting in the Baker Street stores tom'w night from 5 -9? | ||
| drewdix Citizen Username: Drewdix Post Number: 821 Registered: 7-2001 |
Goldfinch is excellent, and they're great about ordering obscure titles from obscure imprints. It's an "alive" and interesting store. They'll even gift wrap a $2.95 Mad-Lib word book with no complaint (they even offer). There is absolutely no parking problem in downtown Maplewood. Unless you consider not being able to park right in front of your destination a "problem". I've never walked more than 90 (ninety) seconds to my destination from a side street spot if lots are full. | ||
| Dave Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 5230 Registered: 4-1998  |
Please note MOL has declared next Tues/Wed/Thurs (15/16/17) as "Carmelitas Week". main page (Carmelitas has no idea we're doing this, so someone may want to let'em know to order extra guac) |
