Wow... wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:16 AM:Do you think the merchants are going to be upset about this one...I mean gosh if they don't like the farmers market, how are they going to handle this?

Alex wrote on Oct 11, 2008 9:39 AM:I've lived in this valley since 1993 and I've been to the Rod Run twice. The event is not exciting and needs sprucing up. It's also difficult to find a place to eat without having a 1 hr wait. The Cruisin Grand event in Escondido is alot more appealing. Ample parking, lot's of good restaurants and it's nostalgic seeing all the local high school alum get-togethers at the event.

Preservationist wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:47 AM:The Merchants never do well during the rod run. People coming to see the cars don’t buy antiques or garden accessories. A friend of mine will have her store closed today because last year she didn't have a single sale, and what she sells simply does not appeal to street rod enthusiasts. The reason you're not hearing complaints from the merchants, is the Rod Run only takes place twice a year, and is an accepted Temecula tradition. The farmers market is a whole different story. Run by a Fallbrook firm, and taking place every weekend, merchants are upset because more then just produce is sold there. The Temecula Farmers Market is where vendors are allowed to sell the same merchandise as the Front St. merchants, without having to pay Front St. rents, and not have to deal with city codes and ordinances.

sunkidd wrote on Oct 11, 2008 1:58 PM:Preservationist, I have lived in Temecula since 1987 and shop at the Farmers Market as often as possible... because I go to the Farmers Market and I am in the Old Town area Saturday morning I like to shop around and eat at local restaurants that I wouldn't normally go to if not for the Farmers Market... so it works both ways!

Rod Run Tradition wrote on Oct 11, 2008 3:20 PM:The Rod Run has been going on a long time. Business wise it is not important to me. The point is it is a Old Town Tradition. The Tractor Races were plowed under by The City ,the Rod Run is still going. I may moan and groan about the inconvenience it may cause me but I'm Old and sometimes grouchy. Good well run event. Keep it going.
One proviso: Keep our Mayor from making a Pitch for the The City Hall over the loud speaker. Ruined my day.
Ole Doc Pane

OT Merchant wrote on Oct 11, 2008 3:43 PM:I have had a retail store in Old Town for several years and I can assure you that the majority of business owners love the Saturday Farmers Market. Every Saturday people come in my store carrying their flowers and produce and they spend money, which I really appreciate; these are people that normally would not be in Old Town at all. It is true that there are some merchants that don't like the market but please do NOT lump us all together; they are the minority. As far as the Rod Run goes, truthfully it's not a great event for the merchants. I support the event just because I figure even though people don't really shop, it's possible they are discovering our wonderful little town for the first time and maybe they will come back later to shop and dine. I do think it's unfortunate that P&R has so little regard for all the great food, product and services we have in Old Town. I just came from the Rod Run and was shocked to see more food vendors than ever and several restaurants that were virtually empty. Old Town is changing, some like me, think for the better and I would really love to see P&R make an effort to include the Old Town businesses first, what a great oppurtunity for people to discover Old Town without having to go inside. I know that several merchants and restaurants would happily donate a portion of thier proceeds to the chosen charity and really isn't that what this event is all about?

TO OT Merchant wrote on Oct 12, 2008 1:02 PM:Why do you guys have to drag the Swap Meet into every discussion about anything.?

OT Merchant wrote on Oct 12, 2008 5:44 PM:I didn't know there was a swap meet in Old Town; where and when? I'd like to check it out:)

Back to the shuttle wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:02 PM:As an OT merchant I feel the shuttle is a good idea. My only suggestion would be to run it until 8:00 PM. The parking lots at city hall and RCC are too far to walk back to. Next time it would be nice to encourage people to stay, eat and stroll a bit, etc.
I've been in OT for 7 or 8 rod runs, never made a sale at any. This time we closed and enjoyed the cars and festivities, we had a lot of fun.

Preservationist wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:09 PM:Well OT Merchant, go ahead and assure us that the majority of business owners love the Saturday Farmers Market. Meanwhile today I was provided with a copy of a petition, (dated 8-4-2007) which includes 64 signatures of Old Town business people who have a problem with the farmers market. Each signature includes a real name and address. I'll take the words of all these people that there are Old town business people who have a problem with the farmers market, then anyone posting who may, or may not be, what they claim to be in their blog.

Please wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:36 PM:Can everyone concerned stop bringing the
silly farmers market into every blog!
You know what will hit the roof when
it is moved in front of the "waste of
our money" city hall!!

OT Merchant wrote on Oct 12, 2008 11:27 PM:Preservationist, I know exactly what petition you are talking about and you would probably even find my signature on there. I clearly remember the pitch I recieved when I signed it too- not at all what it was really about. At any rate I can assure you that if you walked around today and simply asked the OT business owners to sign a petition that they support the Saturday Farmer's Market (without any "spin") you would receive more that 64 signatures. Don't believe me? Try it and see for yourself. Maybe I'm crazy and just making it all up, afterall I like events, I like all the fabulous new buildings and businesses and I can't wait for our new civic center. I guess I'm just one of those strange people that is in business to make a profit, go figure!

To OT Merchant wrote on Oct 13, 2008 11:07 AM:You sound very much like one of City Boosters feeding off Redevelopment in this area. Any thing for a buck. I'll be glad to sign my blog and usually do. Will you do the same?

Ole Doc Pane

Preservationist wrote on Oct 13, 2008 12:46 PM:I'm impressed you sign petitions without reading them. Makes me question what an astute businessmen you are.

OT Merchant wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:42 PM:Doc, I will be happy to come out of the closet as soon as preservationist and everyone else do. Blogs are anonymous for a reason and frankly my reason is that I have been targeted in the past by some angry merchants because I did not agree with them. I can assure you that I do not work for the city and I don't always agree with the city, but unlike some of you, I am happy with some of their efforts to help us- could they do more? Absolutely, and I think they will as soon as the merchants show that they are willing to step up and help themselves out as well. I do know you Doc, and although I don't agree with you on so many issues, I have always respected you and the way you word your point both in blogs and at city council meetings. Just because we have differing opinions about the progress in Old Town does not mean you have to resort to name calling. I do not believe in "anything for a buck" if I did I would not be spending so much of my time working to promote Old Town and trying to combat all of the negative publicity generated by a few loud and angry merchants. I have a very long lease and pay a large amount of rent, so yes, it is important for me to be able to pay my bills and the only way that is going to happen over the next 20 years is if people (tourists and locals) come to Old Town to shop and dine. It is too bad that a town filled with single story western buildings and shops that were randomly open weren't enough to bring people back again and again, because I like that too- but it just wasn't enough. Temecula is a fairly young community and the locals will come to Old Town when we have more shops, restaurants and night life to offer.

Preservationist, you are correct that I should not have signed that petition; however, the person that brought it around was persistent and she caught me at a weak moment. Also the picture she presented to me was so different then the reality I have since discovered on my own. I really think you just like to pick a fight with anyone that isn't opposed to the city or growth in Old Town, which is why on every blog you belittle people that don't agree with you. I stand by every word I have said and you don't really need to worry about my astuteness as a businessman, because as you like to say "time will tell" and I'm confident I'll still be standing.

Preservationist wrote on Oct 13, 2008 10:39 PM:Seems to me that I have made no effort to hide my identity. In fact one of the people ticked off about my posts in another blog made a point in his response of including my real name, without including his own, when he posted “Preservationist AKA Otto” I can’t speak for you, but when the petition I am referring to was brought to me last year, the person passing it was very passionate about how angry she was about the farmers market, and had already spoke more then once at the Temecula City Council about her anger over vendors at the Farmers Market selling the same things she was selling. On the two pages of text that you should have read before you signed, it starts with the following paragraph. “In it’s ongoing alliance with outside business interests and it’s determination to make the farmers market the centerpiece of activity, the City of Temecula is completely undermining the efforts and success of the privately run concrete businesses in Old Town.” It goes on like that for over a page and a half, so there was no attempt to deceive anyone like you suggest. You may wish to mischaracterize me as opposed to city growth, which I am not, but I am very much opposed to the way the city has been obliterating it’s Old West Heritage, and the shabby way the city treats small business and property owners when it has an agenda, like the new civic center. Well, you have my name. So now, why not “come out of the closet” (your words) and give us your name?

To OT Merchant wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:47 AM:I've been in the crosshairs of all kinds of "City Can do no wrong boosters" for a long time. You either step up to the plate or you don't. Preservationist will speak for himself.
Ole Doc Pane