The year 2014 has brought some big changes to town business-wise and I write this letter with the hope that it will be received as intended. Years ago we had the "Subway" fiasco and I was most definitely in the middle of it. While my position was hugely blown out of proportion, I would rather see independently owned business's before corporations and franchises but I don't have a hatred of all chains, etc...

Recently, the public was made aware of Troy Fosters change from True Value to Ace Hardware. Troy has always been a huge supporter of our community and I believe no matter what name, corporation or franchise he runs under, he will always operate a family style business. He will do 'good' for his community and be a successful business at the same time. Much like Coast Hardware (another independently owned franchise I believe) that truly participates in supporting this town. These are both businesses with community practices I respect. The other big shift in local business is Napa Auto going from a local family run franchise to a corporate owned O'Rielly Auto. This happened in Oakhurst years back and it didn't end up the way many employees had been led to believe. It may not be like that here, as each situation has the opportunity to differ but there are several employees in this Mariposa location with 15+ years invested in the store. I hope their long standing employment is acknowledged and appreciated under this new rule.

Downtown is seeing changes as well with the addition of yet another gift and souvenir shop, a treat shop featuring everything sweet (and coffee and lunches) and the dissolution of the Mariposa Creamery. I think the Creamery was a great idea. The idea had mass potential but it wasn't able to be realized. Homemade ice cream or an artisan California brand like Three Twins would have made a different impression, I think. What I noticed were commercially recognized name brand distributor posters in the window, the same brands you see in the grocery store freezer. To me, that is polar opposite of what I expect when walking into a small town "Creamery". Almost immediately we started hearing about additions to the services. 'Lets add this, lets add that., etc....' This most always fails in the long run, even if your customer service is outstanding. It doesn't matter if you can't get them through the door. We must stand out. We must be sensational.

We as local retailers and in the service industry must provide 1) items/services our community needs, 2) preferably something each of us as business owners has a passion for or deep working knowledge of and 3) we need to think how each of us and our businesses can stand out and not just be a copycat of another business. Espresso, coffee and pastries is my genre so it is what I am familiar with. How many espresso machines do we really need in a 1 mile town? Not nearly as many as exist here. There is a point where the number of similar businesses will put each other out of business, a teetering point when the balance fails. Does anyone know how many masseuses we have now as compared to 6 years ago? Maybe for ice cream shops, (2) is the teetering point here in Mariposa? The money pie is only getting cut into smaller pieces, it isn't growing to support more households just because you open yet another. When opening a business think outside of the box a bit.... Just because there hasn't ever been a Slot Car raceway and hobby shop doesn't mean we can't carry one here. We definitely need things for the kids to do (indoors and with adult sales people in attendance is a plus here).

Why don't we have any authentic antique stores? We're an old town with great history and besides the local shoppers, the tourists are ALWAYS asking, "Where do I find the antique stores?" "Um, none really," I have to answer. I do send them to Mariposa Marketplace and the Vintage Lariat and tell them they will find some antiques mixed in with replicas, gift items, etc.. Can they walk a block or two like in Jamestown and go 'digging'? Nope, not here. Why doesn't someone open a BBQ joint? There are a lot of locals I imagine that would stop for a couple of racks of ribs and homemade side dishes to take home after a long day at work.

Merced has some version of an ordinance that allows for only 'so many' of a certain type business in a certain vicinity and while I'm not saying that is the route we should go, that is the direction we need to think in. Lets all try to be unique and support economic diversity which in turn creates economic vitality. Walk around some of the not too far away mountain towns and see the variety of shops and eateries they offer. How many people here take the drive to Sonora occasionally to eat and wander the shops? Maybe you're a knitter, a sports enthusiast, a cyclist, etc.. and Sonora has your particular indulgence. I go to Oakhurst every month or two to thrift shop and eat Italian or Chinese food. I can't get any of that here.

I have had several other business people say to me, "Mariposa is this close to being cool," over the past few years. Lets get there. Lets work together towards a vision that will bring people here to Mariposa so they'll want to add an extra day on their Yosemite trip just to spend in town here. We can't do it without each other and the sooner we all see that, the better Mariposa will be for it. Lets be that place.

I wish the new businesses all the best and every business a prosperous 2015~

Amy Eaton, Pony Expresso Coffee House and Roastery
Mariposa, Ca