Joining, Relocating, and Departing the Business Horizon in Dixon

PBW Bike Shop Moves

My shop was closed three days while we got all new lighting and suddenly I noticed the emptiness of a shop just a couple doors down. The bikes were gone! There one day; gone the next. I was much relieved when I saw the new address on C Street and felt at least they had not closed entirely. After spending so much money and huge amounts of time and energy into opening a business (or in this case, a new location,) I hate to see someone close their business.

Later, I wanted to call and ask them what inspired the move but that's when I discovered that the C Street they moved to was in Sacramento. So, if you are looking for those very unique bikes that you lay down on to ride, Peregine Bicycle Works is now at 1114 C Street in Sacramento and the phone is (877) PBW-Bike.

The space that is now available, however, is perfect for an ice cream/sandwich shop like what was in there before. I thought if they had coffee and chocolate on the menu, they could generate more revenue however, now that I have a business in downtown Dixon, I’m a little wiser about these things.

It isn’t about mismanagement or lack of experience or even lack of capital that causes a Dixon business to struggle—it’s that we need more customers! We all need to be more supportive and shop here! I like Kevin Johnson’s idea to ‘Think Dixon.’ And, I’ll add: ‘Think Dixon FIRST’ as sometimes even I find myself shopping outside of town when I just didn’t try to find things locally first.

I have many friends who shop where they work and most of them work outside of Dixon. We are a “bedroom community” after all. But, you can support your local merchants by coming home to Dixon and then do your shopping here. You will, most likely, get much better service, too. Old habits are hard to break but I have found it worth my time—and it is my pleasure—to support local businesses.

Welcome D’Andre Wells to Dixon

At Thursday’s Downtown Dixon Business Association Board Meeting, we were excited to meet the new Economic Development / Grants Manager for the City of Dixon: D’Andre Wells. He was very congenial and optimistic about Dixon’s future. He comes most recently from Contra Costa County where he was a Redevelopment Project Manager and from City of Richmond where he was a City Analyst prior to that.

Wells said that he has spent the last two weeks completely immersing himself in city files, planning, and becoming familiar with our businesses. I already like the guy as he seemed determined to do something with the dirt square in the center of our downtown. Our DDBA Board seemed impressed and is hopeful he will be a strong supporter and a regular attender at our meetings.

El Verduzco Coming Back

For those loyal fans of El Verduzco Mexican Restaurant, located at 999 N. Adams in between Viva Market and Goodwill, there is good news—the owners are planning to reopen at the end of June. If you recall, there was a large accidental fire that destroyed their restaurant not too long after they had expanded.

Owner Everardo Angel was committed to re-opening but it has taken a long time for the insurance to get settled. The fire happened in May of 2012. They’ve been working on rebuilding inside and outside for at least a month now and there is progress being made. For those who hadn’t tried their food, know they have been around a good 10 years as a restaurant but were in business several years before that as a food truck.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Breaks Ground

You know there are some things that I will not ever understand and this is one of them. O’Reilly Auto Parts, now located on Ary Lane and Pitt School Road, is building a whole new building on North First Street right next to Napa Auto Parts.

I talked with O’Reilly Auto Parts Manager Ricky Tijero who has been the manager here in Dixon for two and a half years to confirm that I hadn’t heard the City of Dixon Building Staff incorrectly when I called to ask who was breaking ground. Tijero confirmed the facts. He says they are hoping to open sometime in September of this year. I asked him why would they locate directly next to competition and he said it was a better location and more of the center of town. So there you have it.

So until I find more startling news in our little yet wonderful town of Dixon, TTFN. (Tah Tah For Now borrowed politely from Pooh’s Tigger.)