On a whimsical wonder through downtown P-town yesterday I was not so much shocked, as dismayed to find store front after store front closed for business.
Just two days before, I had heard the sad news from one of Petaluma's savviest blogger at Sonoma Country Life, on the closing of Petaluma Blvd's trendy Bassett Laurel kids clothing store, and now just one street over Chicks and Cowboys has lost their gitty-up as well. If i'm calculating baby boutiques correctly, that leaves just the reclusive and seductive Maude for offbeat children's stores in our once booming mini-shop town. Well, as a dear friend to the owner of Maude, Stacy Laure, I'm glad to see they are holding strong.
Despite all the doom and gloom downtown, I did manage a quick stop into what looks to be a thriving downtown store, Paper White (once Dauphine Press), whose 50% off table lured me in from window shopper to real money exchanger, where I met owner Sandy Jones who was eager to show off her stores newest event calender. Paper White will be hosting a number of hands on crafting classes for those who aspire to craft at heart. Now, if by chance you follow A Mouse in the Pantry closely (and I mean VERY closely), you know we speak of "crafting" as carefully as possible. Still, despite rarely having the time to stop and "do-it-by-hand" I think we will all agree that the mini "Chicken Coop Shadow Box Ornaments" that you too could make, will be ready just in time for Butter and Eggs Days (March3rd-31st $65.00) Bring on the glue!
For complete workshop details and days, and to check out some of Paper White's fine stationary and gifts (I just happened to scoop up a small silk screened piece for my youngest's wall), stop by 119 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, CA 94954. (707)775-4200 or www.shoppaperwhite.com
Who do we blame? I realize blame is not the answer, but how will a small city like Petaluma survive without the charm of small town stores? When basic needs stores (like sporting goods, which I think qualifies as a basic need in Petaluma's busy sporting world), fail, where do we go? Wal-Mart? Oh dear me.
Posted by: Meloni Response | January 10, 2009 at 09:05 AM
took the middle boy to purchase even more sporting equipment (thought that was an impossibility looking at the astonishing array of boots/sticks/balls/bats etc in our garage) and discovered that Soccer Inc has already closed its doors. Now this is getting crazy, where on earth are we going to get the goods to stick to our buying local pledge. Uh-oh, I feel a blog coming on!
Posted by: Frances | January 09, 2009 at 09:23 AM