The Dying SG Retail Store

It wasn't as funny the second time. ;)

Only in your fantasies, talentless old perv.

You've never seen crossposting before.

Heh. An inadvertant double-click - sorry. :(

E.P.

I'm glad you are doing so well financially. Now maybe you'll be able to afford some plastic surgery and dental work.

Everybody has, but why are you crossposting all this other crap to this group, Delores?

This was not intended by me to be a debate. I'm getting older and grayer, so I thought I'd just let you "youngersters" know how I feel about this industry trend. I grew up in an urban city where everything you ever needed was around the corner or a block away. The big enclosed mall opened up and then poof.... the mom & pop stores went belly up over a decade or so. Then came the superstores, mega chains, Walmarts, Home Depots, internet sellers.. blah blah blah.... It's the natural course of things. Folks love the small shop touch, but in reality they won't pay an extra nickel for it. They'd rather drive 50 miles and save a dollar... or shop in their underwear online. It's human nature I guess? The only social commentary I make is that I miss those olden neighborhood days. Your local SG shop, where perhaps 90% of us saw or learned the craft for the first time, will be history very shortly. No new generation of glasscutters will need to be trained. Everything you need will simply be bought online or from China. You want to learn? Get a library book. Java was taking about areas and rents and such. Try to relate to this, especially you rural folks. I own a small 1200 sq/ft storefront here way off any main road. One floor, no basement. My taxes alone are $10,000 a year. Can I make beads and survive? Now this may really shock you. In a 20 sq/mile area there are over 6 million people. I think there are 3-4 SG retail stores. None are alike in what they do. To Kalera. You must understand that as a wise old fool, I've seen so many new trends in glass come and go that were surefire winners. I bet the ranch yours will be gone too. Do you remember the recent rage of Stepping Stones & mosaics? How about Kaeidoscopes? Fused jewelry? Wait I'll take you back to the stone age when EVERY student was wild about making SG boxes and lampmaking! Everyone of the above was killed by Chinese imports. By the way rule #27.... never post your picture on your website, unless you are very thickskinned. Moonraker is a cad. I think you are beautiful. But then again I loved Mama Cass as well! Dennis is a tough survivior, Andy is a great guy trying to survive. You

2 have alot more in common than you probably will ever agree to. We all have our niches being invaded on a daily basis now. What to do? Go back to working harder doing what we do best, or throwing it all away and open yet another cell phone store?

I have to agree with most of what you say. I too am somewhat "older" and my values have changed. I believe we must preserve American business and "mom & pop" stores. When I travel around the country, I specifically LOOK for "mom & pop" stores. The demise of these businesses, is a very negative impact on this country----i.e, farms, stained glass stores, bakeries....eventually we will end up with 1 megastore for everything. I pray I don't live that long to see it. IMHO, we should support American ventures, as much as possible. I don't subscribe to the "new world order". I try to buy my supplies from my local SG store as well as yes believe it or not an independent local hardware!

Kitty

Kity wrote in part: I specifically LOOK for "mom & pop" stores. The demise of these businesses, is a very negative impact on this country----i.e, farms, stained glass stores, bakeries....eventually we will end up with 1 megastore for everything.

Ever take a trip along Route 66? At one time it used to be THEE only route to take to really see America. Now, half the road is gone and most of the towns along the way are almost gone...lot's of poor folks and such. A real loss of true Americana.

Andy

Regretfully, no. I always wanted to tho. Now its probably not worth the time ..all changed and garish glitter....

Kitty

Regretfully, no. I always wanted to tho. Now its probably not worth the time ..all changed and garish glitter....

Kitty

I used to think that was the case. Now I try to do things whenever I get the chance. Might not be a tomorrow. Besides, Route 66 is still worth seeing despite the condition. I just wish I was 20-30 younger!!

Andy

you and me both !!!! I'm 53 --sometimes feel 80, other times feel 18 [rare]

Kitty

Make sure you stop at my fav 66 place.... the Roadkill Cafe.

My favorite place is Amboy, California. I enjoy hearing the silence broken by the wind blowing through what's left of the town. I especially enjoy looking over the sight of a former gas station/restaurant that refused to give me cold water for my canteen when I bought a hamburger while hitchhiking through in July 1971. I drive through, stop, and piss on the site every chance I get.