Council Endorses County Rail to Mountain Project

On Jan 26, 2009 the Big Bear Lake City Council passed a resolution endorsing the "Big Bear Enhanced Ground Access Feasibility Study" The Study was prepared for the City of Big Bear Lake and SANBAG. The Report is dated 1996. The report well defines a need for more ground capacity and increased safety for travelers as well as future increased demand, with a growing tourism based economy at the end of the line, (Big Bear Valley) as needs that require addressing.

Several proposed solutions are mentioned in the report. I'm sure most of data (dated) is meaningless by this time. The additional two new lanes northbound only proposal seems to lack input from somebody who would be actually visiting the Valley and also have to return. The light rail solutions are interesting.

There was no public discussion regarding the plan, the endorsement or the reality experienced during the 12 years since the need for future ground transportation planning was identified.

At any rate, thank you somebody, for locating and dusting off this bit of old business. Good luck with keeping it on top of the pile.

On the Mountain Magazine Shuts Down

After 12 years, with advertisers no longer spending, the local visitor magazine's last issue is in news racks today. "Without advertisers, I just can't keep the doors open any longer" says Nancy Lucas, publisher.

She felt things tightening up all last year but the attrition in the last quarter of 2008 sealed the fate of the popular newsprint periodical.

Nancy is already pursuing other opportunities doing what she loves to do. We wish her the best.

Forest Farms Market Closes Doors

The Local Produce Market and Deli is clearing out the last of the merchandise and plans to vacated by 2/1/09. The sign on the door notes the continuing economic weakening as the primary reason for the decision. In talking with the owner, a new location (smaller) for the market, and a new business model may be in the future, but there is nothing specific on her radar.

City to Hire Retail Consultants

At the January 12, 2009 City Council Meeting, Council will be asked to approve the hiring of a new Retail Consultant. Nearly $12,000.00 will be committed to Assess and Define our local Retail marketplace in order to recruit new retail businesses to the city. The focus of The Fransen Company's work will be to attract new retailers to fill vacant space at the Von's Plaza and to fill "approved but not yet built" commercial space.

I will assume that this would be different information than was received from the 'Buxton Report', which was not released to the public when originally due in August, 08, nor in it's 'revised form' which was due to be released by the city prior to the end of 2008.

The many business closures throughout the valley in 2008 and the new commercial space completed in 07/08 have created a huge amount of vacant commercial space that seems to be the issue for the Redevelopment Agency.

The concern, should be, or at least of equal importance, how successfully our local retail marketplace competes for regional customers and the wicked fluctuation in tourism traffic during weekday and slack months. Changing our shrinking gross retail sales should be the short term goals for the City, well ahead of any plan for expansion.

Simply finding new businesses to fill vacant space will not change gross productivity but may exacerbate the problematic situation local merchants find themselves in today.

Carriage House Auto Vacates Blvd. Location

Carriage House Auto had always been a top sales tax producer for the city as well as permanent full time employer providing jobs for locals. I'm sure it must have been maddening when the Convention Center went into the used car business by the way of giving a venue to a nationwide car rental business to hold an annual used car sale on a car lot they only rented one weekend a year. It's not clear whether a special event permit was issued to the convention center for the car sales event or if a special permit would be required. At any rate, we can add the commercial property formerly the home of Carriage House Auto to the list of commercial space available in the City of Big Bear Lake.

Haus and Home to Close Doors

The long time furnishings and decor store will close it's doors forever on Jan. 1, 2009, according to the channel 6 TV spot I saw over the holiday weekend. This will happen at the end of their "retirement sale" that has been in progress the past few weeks. The rumor is that Big 5 Sporting Goods will give up their approved use at the "Menaldi Development" site on the Blvd. and take the empty (+/- 15,000 sf ) Interlaken Plaza space. Either way, I believe Big 5 does intend to open a store in the City of Big Bear Lake. The discussion will be interesting, I'm sure.

http://www.topix.com/city/big-bear-lake-ca/2008/06/menaldi-project-gets-ok

timbreunig@unitedwoodcraftsmen.com

Creative Cottage Closing Doors

The long time Crafters Co-Op, Creative Cottage, will close it's doors Jan. 1, 2009. The property at 645 Pine Knot (+/- 3500 sq ft ) is for lease. The owners are considering finding a smaller space and re-tooling their business model.