MAY 2021 - ISSUE #1
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Vol. 1 No. 1
May 2021
$4.95
PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen
EDITOR Kristina Hacker
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAHERS Kristina Hacker Marg Jackson Angelina Martin Vince Rembulat Sabra Stafford Virginia Still
ART DIRECTOR Harold L. George
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman
SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Beth Flanagan Rich Matheson Karen Olsen Corey Rogers Melody Wann Charles Webber
Welcome to the inaugural issue of Downtowns in the 209! This special publication of 209 Multimedia was created to highlight one of the area’s best resources, unique downtowns. Over the past several years, many cities have seen the benefit of making their downtown areas the heart of commerce and entertainment, prompting a number of revitalization efforts. For some towns, such as Newman and Oakdale, their downtowns have always been the center of community events and the economic heartbeat. Each downtown of the 209 has a lot to offer and we hope to feature every single one over the next several years. Please join us in supporting the local businesses, governments and organizations that make up the Downtowns of the 209. Hank Vander Veen Owner/Publisher 209 Multimedia
SPECIAL CONSULTANT Larry Dovichi
Hank Vander Veen Publisher hvanderveen@209magazine.com
To advertise in 209 Magazine, call Manteca • 209.249.3500 • Oakdale • 209.847.3021 Turlock • 209.634.9141 121 S. Center St., 2nd Floor • Turlock, CA 95380 209multimedia.com ©Copyright 2021. Downtowns in the 209 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of Downtowns in the 209 is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in Downtowns in the 209 are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of 209 Multimedia management or owner. Downtowns in the 209 assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.
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NATURAL PATH WELLNESS CENTER
303 W. Main St, Ripon • 209-599 WELL (9355) 2020 2021
Your Favorite Day Spa! Natural Path Wellness Center (NPWC) welcomes you to our Ripon community. Nestled among the quaint shops of Main Street, our healing center is a haven of relaxation. We invite you to step into our lobby, take a deep breath, and leave the cares of the world behind. You will feel the wonderful, calming energy our center has created. The mission of NPWC is to empower you on your wellness journey by providing holistic, natural health products and services. Our retail store provides loose herbs, professional brand supplements (Designs for Health), CBD, bath salts, Eminence and SkinCeutical skin care products, soy candles, crystals, salt lamps, and many more gift ideas and therapy supports. Our whole-health services include skincare, massage, and detox. We have a wide range of massage therapy services for our clients, including mental and physical relaxation massage, therapeutic and deep tissue massage, cupping, and sinus massage. We also provide healing energy of the chakras and intuition readings. M’lis body wraps are a favorite among our clients which is a lymphatic detox of the tissue. NPWC also has an infrared sauna to detox the body at the cellular level, which is the best way to detox. Our Ionic Foot Detox is a wonderful option to pull heavy metals from your system. Our amazing staff looks forward to serving you as a client at NPWC. Be sure to ask about our membership packages.
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MAY 2021 – ISSUE 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS 8
Downtown Merced
14
Downtown Newman
18
Downtown Turlock
24
Downtown Oakdale
30
Downtown Murphys
38
Downtown Ripon
8
14 24
18 38
30 209 DOWNTOWNS
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WINE, DINE & SHOP HISTORICAL DOWNTOWN TURLOCK
Bistro 234
Glitz Fine Clothing
Farm House
First & Main
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Main Street Footers
Back Home Furniture & Decor
Treasure Hunters Antiques
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MERCED
Gateway to destination By SABRA STAFFORD
M I strongly feel that in the next two years people will see a significant change in downtown Merced. — Mayor Matthew Serratto
erced has long been known as the “gateway to Yosemite” but now, a new momentum is building in the city’s downtown region to take Merced from gateway to destination. The last several years has seen new shops, restaurants, residential apartments, entertainment venues, and a new boutique hotel opening in downtown. These new entities are mixing in with a vibrant art community, the UC Merced Downtown Campus Center, government and business leaders for a downtown resurgence. “I strongly feel that in the next two years people will see a significant change in downtown Merced,” said Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto. The resurgence is being spurred by four key components: private investments, public resources and support, a lively art community, and the return of events. “From a city perspective we have to stimulate the investment from the private side, make the investment on our end and then we have to do our best to put the right structures in place,” Serratto said. The private investment has been led by revitalization projects of The Tioga, The Mainzer and the El Capitan Hotel. The Tioga has been transformed into chic downtown residential apartments that quickly filled up when it opened last year. The amenities include a large mezzanine and community space with pool tables, a kitchen prep station, dining tables, lounge areas, a viewing room, games and art from local artists. Perhaps one of the more enticing details is the entry into The Tioga that replicates the grandeur of what it once was. 209 DOWNTOWNS
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“We painstakingly and lovingly brought it back to its original glory,” said Robin Donovan, the managing director of all three properties. “The Tioga was originally a hotel visited by stars and presidents alike.” The arrival of the sign marking the return of The Tioga proved to be a memorable moment in downtown Merced’s transition. “My phone was blowing up,” Donovan laughingly recalled. “Everyone was texting me and sending pictures. It felt like it was the catalyst - the beginning of the change.” Across the street from The Tioga is the Mainzer, an Art Deco theater transformed into a restaurant and entertainment venue. For those who enjoy games, the Mainzer offers a wide variety of options. There’s Skee-Ball, Ping-Pong, Foosball, and special tables with tops ready for games of chess, checkers, Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble. The Mainzer retained the history and design of the theater. There are two screening areas. The larger space is furnished with tables and chairs and has a stage for live performances and a large screen that will be used for sporting events and other special screenings. “We’re looking forward to having comedy shows and concerts,” Donovan said. The second area is in the mezzanine and is furnished with plush couches and chairs for viewing comfort. “I see this space used for TED talks, documentary screenings and private events,” Donovan said. The restaurant features an upscale menu at affordable price points and sources all food locally. There’s a full
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The Tioga was originally a hotel visited by stars and presidents alike. — Robin Donovan
bar and a unique beer wall that allows guests to try out some new brews. “The Mainzer attracts all ages,” Donovan said. “The whole idea is to come hang out and enjoy yourself.” Just down the street the El Capitan has opened. The Joie de Vivre by Hyatt boutique hotel offers a staggering number of amenities for guests staying in one of the 114 rooms. The rooms are spread out between the refurbished Arbor Lane Wing and newly constructed Main Street Wing. The room designs and the hotel draws upon the beauty of the Central Valley and Yosemite with lots of natural, hand-crafted materials and textures. “We are thrilled to welcome guests to experience the JdV by Hyatt brand’s inclusive spirit and joy-driven service through this new chapter in the hotel’s history,” Donovan said. “There is so much to discover in Merced from the charm of the town’s classic American Main Street to the surrounding farms and vineyards. We’re opening during a unique time, but El Capitan has been a beacon in this community offering access to comfort and adventure for more than 100 years and that is a tradition we’re excited to expand upon.” The emergence of new businesses doesn’t stop with these three projects. Bitwise Industries and Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Company both announced plans to set up shop in downtown Merced. There’s also new restaurants and a
wine bar coming in the future. “It’s so beautiful down here and there’s more coming,” said Merced City Councilmember Bertha Perez, whose district includes downtown Merced. “I live four blocks away and I love that I can walk to all these places that I used to have to drive to. You can come down here and get a coffee, see a show, check out some art and have dinner.” The City of Merced is doing its part to shape the future of downtown Merced. Plans include turning Main Street into a one-way between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and N Street. “Changing it to a one-way accomplishes three purposes,” Serratto said. “It slows down traffic and makes it more pedestrian friendly; it adds for a much more creative use of road spaces like parklets and bulb-outs and it adds more parking.” Additionally, the city will be converting parking spots into diagonal parking spaces, add new landscaping, and is planning an expansion of Bob Hope Square that would include a stage, a welcoming arch and space for events. “We recognize that things are going to change, but it’s really an opportunity for our city - more jobs, more vibrancy, more things to do,” Serratto said. The downtown Merced art scene is ready to help spur the resurgence of the district. “I think we are about to see a creative renaissance happen, especially here in 209 DOWNTOWNS
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downtown Merced,” said Colton Dennis, the director of the Merced Multicultural Arts Center. “There’s a real desire in the community to have that connection between artist and audience back again.” The area is already home to venues for visual and performing arts like Playhouse Merced, the Merced Theatre, and the Merced Multicultural Arts Center. Soon the MAC and the city will begin a project that will see about 30 utility boxes transformed into unique art pieces by local artists. “These artists are going to inspire the next phase of Merced’s future,” Dennis said. The final component of downtown Merced’s resurgence is the return of events. It was kicked off by the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Mercado on Cinco de Mayo. The outdoor event in Bob Hope Square featured vendors, music, live performances, an open-air art gallery, a classic car show, and lots of food and drink options. The Mercado will be returning on June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7. “Downtown has to be an experience and it has to be a central gathering point for the whole community and there’s got to be things for everybody,” Serratto said. “Merced is in that sweet spot and to me the best kind of city. There’s enough going on, but small enough where you still know each other.”
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NEWMAN Honoring the past, celebrating the present, building for the future
By KRISTINA HACKER
T One of the main focal points of our town is the theatre. When people come to town, they are shocked that we were able to maintain a historic theatre like that — Mayor Casey Graham
he best way to get to know the small, west Stanislaus County community of Newman is to take a walk down its Main Street. Newman’s Main Street is a true ‘blast from the past’ when business, government and entertainment could all be found in a city’s downtown. From the iconic West Side Theatre and its historic neon signage to the popular Mexican eateries, City Hall and a hardware store, downtown Newman is a thriving center of commerce. Those looking to open up business in downtown Newman may have a hard time finding space, as the vacancy rate is near zero. “It’s in demand. People want to be in the downtown but are not able to pick up a spot,” said Newman Mayor Casey Graham. Michael Passarelli of the Newman Chamber credits the close relationships with City leadership, the city’s longtime newspaper, the Chamber and community all working together to make Newman a better place. The West Side Theatre is a prime example of what a great partnership between a city and its community can accomplish together. Opened as the Newman Theatre in 1940, mainstream movies were shown at the theatre for 40 years before devoting its last days to Spanish-language films. The theatre was converted to a roller skating rink in 1984, but soon fell into disrepair. In 1996, the City of Newman took over the property and a non-profit organization – the West Side Theatre Foundation – was formed. With the help of redevelopment agency funds, and volunteers and 209 DOWNTOWNS
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donations through the foundation, the theatre was refurbished with the outside a tribute to its original golden years. In the past several years, the theatre has drawn crowds from around the region for live music shows, movies and other events. While still closed due to COVID restrictions, many in the community anxiously await its reopening. “One of the main focal points of our town is the theatre. When people come to town, they are shocked that we were able to maintain a historic theatre like that,” said Graham. Passarelli said the positive relationship with the City and the business community has made a big impact during COVID, when businesses needed all the help they could get. “We have a quaint downtown with restaurants and shops. COVID was very tough for all of them. Through our close working partnership with the City of Newman we were able to do a couple of things that really helped,” he said. After having the city’s spring farmers market closed due to COVID in 2020, the City brought an eight-week harvest market in September and October to encourage shoppers to downtown in an outdoor venue. The City also approved a Main Street Eats event every Friday during the market, which saw the street closed so that restaurants could set up outdoor dining areas. “We started and it was 105 degrees and it was smokey due to the fires, but people still came. They were tired of the quarantine and the local businesses needed it… It was just unbelievably successful. People were out every Friday night supporting
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the restaurants and the shops,” said Passarelli. Downtown has also been a gathering place for the community of Newman. “It’s the heart of Newman. This downtown always brings the community together. Centrally located, it brings both east and westside areas together. You can grab an ice cream and settle down for a peaceful evening, take graduation photos or come for classes at the dance studio,” said Alicia Mendoza, City of Newman Recreation Director and Community Liaison. The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in downtown is a Newman tradition. Downtown is also where the community gathers to celebrate the local high school’s homecoming every fall — and to mourn, as it did when Newman Police Cpl. Ronil “Ron” Singh died early on Dec. 26 after exchanging gunfire with a man he pulled over on a suspected case of drunk driving. “We’re kind of hidden away but we have a great community and people really come together,” said Graham.
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TURLOCK
Downtown Turlock: Standing the test of time By ANGELINA MARTIN
K We had five intersections downtown to choose from, but we decided a gateway piece would be perfect. — Jeani Ferrari
nown for its shopping, restaurants and parades, Turlock’s downtown has become a destination for many in the 209 area code and beyond. After some polishing throughout the decades, the city’s Main Street has truly become the gem of the Valley. Once a quiet area of town that was home to mostly professional services, downtown Turlock has experienced plenty of change this millennium. Today, the downtown core houses some of the city’s hottest night spots in the area and visitors flock to its wide array of retail boutiques and restaurants during the day, whether its cuisine with an Asian flare at First & Main or a burger and brew at 10 East Kitchen & Tap House. The transformation from quiet and serious to the hustle and bustle of downtown Turlock that residents know and love today was thanks to the Downtown Revitalization Plan of the early 2000s — a $7.5 million investment into Main Street by the City of Turlock into which turned the rundown business district into the picturesque downtown area it is today, complete with old-fashioned lamp posts, park benches and planter boxes brimming with flowers. Turlock resident Jeani Ferrari served on the revitalization committee and made decisions on details like artwork, landscaping and even the layout of the street. A revitalization for Main Street was needed, she said, as strip malls like Monte Vista Crossings began to dominate Turlock retail, leaving little room for small, locally-owned businesses like those that make up the downtown core today. “The word on the street was that after 209 DOWNTOWNS
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a major shopping center is built, it takes about 10 years for downtowns to come back — if they do. We knew we were in for a lot of work, but Turlock’s downtown had a lot of things others didn’t have,” Ferrari said. “We had a Main Street and then the maze of what you call the rest of downtown and it was all very centralized. As far as buildings go, we had really good architecture and handsome structures that had been there for years.” With good bones to work with, the committee made decisions which would eventually make downtown Turlock extremely pedestrian-friendly (right down to the type of brick used for the sidewalk). Frequent stop signs and crosswalks coupled with trees which now provide plenty of shade make Main Street the perfect place for a stroll, all while inviting visitors to stop into shops as they walk. At the west end of Main Street is Calafia, the 14-foot fountain statue which welcomes the community into the historic area, all while celebrating the area’s connection to the soil and its agricultural vitality. “The community wanted something that expressed the ethnic, cultural and agricultural character of the town. I think people thought that Calafia captured the agriculture and the weather, and it expressed the commodities we have here,” Ferrari said. “We had five intersections downtown to choose from, but we decided a gateway piece would be perfect.” The revitalization saw the entire downtown street torn apart, along with sidewalks. Main Street Antiques co-owner Lori Smith, who has been with the shop over 25 years, said it was a tough time to
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be a business owner during construction, but well worth it in the end. “At that time, strip malls were the place to be and downtowns were just kind of forgotten,” Smith said. “The fact that they had the foresight to invest in downtown and do all that made it what it is now. We have a walkable downtown and I think that’s part of its charm...We get so many people coming from quite a ways away who tell us how cute our downtown is.” After the revitalization was complete, the City shifted its focus to what the central area of Turlock would become known for. Some developers suggested marketing the downtown core as a bridal district, while its plethora of antiquing options had others set on a treasure hunting capitol. In just a few short years, however, ideas for a bridal destination faded and the reality of an adult playground settled in as bars, restaurants and even hookah made their way onto Main Street. But downtown Turlock isn’t a one-trick pony by any means. There are places to have fun, like the well-known country bar The Udder Place, but there are also spots to have a calming cup of coffee, such
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as La Mo Cafe. It turns out you can’t put downtown Turlock into a box — it has a little bit of everything. While some of Main Street’s businesses didn’t survive the pandemic, even more shops and eateries are on the way as others step up eager to fill in the gaps. The vacancy rate is close to zero as restaurants like Commonwealth and Rancho Fresco Mexican Grill prepare to move in. The historic Enterprise Building has undergone a makeover in recent years as well, and more change is surely on the way. It’s the camaraderie between downtown business owners — and support from the community — that has helped Main Street continue to flourish in recent years, Smith said.
“I remember when I officially became an owner of the shop, I was parked at the stoplight looking downtown and thought, ‘Hey, I get to be a part of this,’” she said. “We’ve got a good group. We all work together and have the same goals in mind to make downtown a success.” It’s rare that an area of town serves as both a retail destination and community “watering hole,” but downtown Turlock has done just that. While visitors and residents frequent Main Street’s stores, it’s also home to the annual Turlock Certified Farmers Market and holiday parades on Christmas and the Fourth of July. For Ferrari, seeing what downtown Turlock has come to mean to the community gives her chills. She’s routinely reminded
of the power one investment can have for art, business and a hometown as a whole. “It’s now established itself as something that other cities are very envious of, and it’s stood the test of time,” Ferrari said. “I think Turlock has been an example for a lot of communities because we did it right.”
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OAKDALE Cowboys, candy, almonds, antiques — OAKDALE IS A DIVERSE COMMUNITY By MARG JACKSON
K Residents may remember, just 30 years ago there was just one single stop light in Oakdale, at the corner of Yosemite and F Street, our ‘main intersection’. The ONLY Stop light in the entire town, — Mayor Bairo
nown as The Cowboy Capital of the World – by virtue of the number of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association champions who at one time called the community home – Oakdale nowadays offers much more than boots and spurs. There is, of course, the Oakdale Saddle Club Rodeo Grounds on the east end of town where the PRCA Rodeo still welcomes thousands of visitors to town for competition, but the community also features the sweet-smelling Sconza candy factory on its south side, the Stanislaus River winding its way through on the north end and a dog park utilized by furry friends and their owners from many surrounding communities on the west side. Also on the north side, just before crossing the river, the award-winning Oakdale Cheese and Specialties shop is known for its Best in the World Gouda cheese, which you can see being made on site, and you can settle in for a picnic on the grounds and feed the farm animals or just enjoy watching koi swim in the pond. In between, the downtown heart of the community serves up an array of historic buildings, is crisscrossed by railroad tracks, features a wide variety of eclectic shops, longstanding businesses and two different museums. A mural featuring famous bull Bushwacker can be seen as you come into town from the west on F Street, while southbound travelers on Yosemite Avenue will be greeted by a large mural complete with a cowboy and an almond orchard in bloom, a colorful welcome to the community. Suffice to say, there won’t be a shortage of things to see and do should you choose 209 DOWNTOWNS
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to visit. Several antique shops line F Street, which is the main east-west thoroughfare through town. Yosemite Avenue serves as the north-south highway and, where they meet at the main intersection, the convergence of Highways 108 and 120, take a look up at the clock tower atop the Oak Valley Community Bank building; the clock has to be wound by hand every week to keep the time accurate. “The First National Bank of Oakdale building, current home of Oak Valley Community Bank, is the more notable landmark of the downtown area. This building is recognized on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places,” noted Oakdale Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Trisha K. Brown. “Completed in 1909, this building continues to stand strong, with the Oakdale Lions Club doing all that they can to ensure the clock tower keeps on ticking.” Heading west on F Street, you will run in to the antique shops and, a few blocks farther, the Oakdale Museum and History Center. That is located in the SydnorProwse House, a former private residence that now offers a plethora of information, memorabilia, photos and artifacts of years gone by. Operated by the Friends of Oakdale Heritage, the museum was built originally as a home in 1869. It was converted into a museum in 1985. It is the oldest building in Oakdale. A collection of businesses, from the longstanding Bordona’s Furniture and Appliance to shoe repair and a watchmaker, add to the unique mix of downtown offerings, interspersed with clothing shops, gyms, restaurants, gift boutiques, a
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dance studio, a hobby shop and more. North Third Avenue is home to the uniquely named House of Beef, which is a restaurant, catering and retail butcher shop; it has both indoor and covered outdoor dining and often welcomes in live music for weekend diners. Many locals and visitors alike start the day with a stop at the historic Moss Rose Bakery, also on North Third Avenue, where pastries and breads have been “baked on the bricks” of the brick oven for decades. The shop also has an extensive lunch menu if you want to sit and dine instead of just taking a dozen doughnuts or a box of turnovers and bear claws to go. “Moss Rose Bakery has been an Oakdale landmark since 1904. This is one of my favorite pieces of knowledge regarding the history of the downtown area. Knowing that the bakery still produces delicious baked goods in the
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original oven from when it all started is pretty special,” Chamber CEO Brown said. “Along with shopping and entertainment opportunities, these (OVCB building and Moss Rose) are just two of the historical treasures Downtown Oakdale has for visitors from all over to learn about and enjoy.” Oakdale Mayor Cher Bairos said it is the blending of businesses that make a visit to the Cowboy Capital memorable. “Our downtown Third Street offers a wonderful combination of old, new, traditional and contemporary shopping and dining opportunities. The home of our Farmer’s Market, which starts back in May, every Wednesday,” the mayor explained. “Moss Rose Bakery, Roberts Ferry Nut Co., Suzey Belen’s Mexican Restaurant, Oak Valley Community
Bank, Boutique’s at Tiffany’s and so much more. Third Street in Oakdale is a wonderful example of how Oakdale blends both new and traditional businesses in our community.” And while there is no officially named ‘Main Street’ in town, motorists and residents typically consider Highway 108 as having that distinction, as it cuts through the heart of the community and connects to hiking, fishing, skiing and more. “Residents may remember, just 30 years ago there was just one single stop light in Oakdale, at the corner of Yosemite and F Street, our ‘main intersection’. The ONLY Stop light in the entire town,” Mayor Bairos noted. As you travel eastward on F Street, the former train depot by the railroad tracks has been converted into the Oakdale Cow-
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The community always seemed to be bustling, especially in the early days when it was a stop along the way for those heading a little further east to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada hoping to strike it rich by finding gold. Oakdale continues to be a perfect stopping point for tourists, needing to take a break in their travels to either Yosemite to the east or the San Francisco Bay Area to the west. It also remains firmly rooted in its agricultural and cowboy history. “While we have seen many changes and improvements over the years, our town continues to maintain that small town feel, where you’re sure to see someone you know at the grocery store, bank, post office or one of Oakdale’s many parks,” Mayor Bairos summarized. “Welcoming, warm and friendly is what people get in Oakdale. A sense of pride, tradition, family values, compassion, dedication, hard work and desire to thrive are the core values of Oakdale.” boy Museum, where the city’s rich western heritage is on full view. Rodeo legends, prize saddles, champion bucking bulls – information about all of this and more can be found with a stop at the old depot. It even has the iconic Yesterday Is Tomorrow cowboy sculpture by well-known artist Betty Saletta in the courtyard between the museum and the H-B Saloon. The saloon – which sees a line of revelers snaking down the street and around the corner come rodeo time waiting for their chance to get in – is another mainstay and features the brands of many cattle ranches from the area burned in to the walls as decoration. “Nearly every single corner or intersection in Oakdale ‘looks different’ than it did 30 years ago; however, there will always be those landmarks that are part of Oakdale’s history and tradition. On ‘main street’ you will see many family-owned businesses that have been part of Oakdale’s history for generations,” added Mayor Bairos. “Most all of these businesses are still run by the families that founded these businesses that are currently being run by second, third and even fourth generations of the same family. That’s one of the many things that Oakdale is known for … Tradition and Family.” Oakdale marks its 150th anniversary during 2021, having been founded in 1871 as the Stockton-Visalia and Copperopolis railroads met during the Gold Rush era. It was named for its abundance of oak trees and is now also known for almond production, farming and ranching as well as being home to many industries, such as ConAgra Foods and Sconza Candy, which moved in to the former Hershey Chocolate plant in 2008. 209 DOWNTOWNS
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MURPHYS
Stay, eat, drink, shop and play By VIRGINIA STILL
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Murphys is named for the Murphys Brothers who operated a mining supply business during the gold rush in what was then called Murphys Camp.
owntown Murphys is known as “The Queen of the Sierra” and has over 20 tasting rooms, alongside boutiques, antiques and culinary treats surrounding Main Street in the heart of downtown, all in walking distance, making it a popular destination for locals and travelers alike. According to Michelle Plotnik with the Murphys Business Association, there is a population of approximately 2,200 in Murphys, but the small town is constantly bustling with visitors who hit the small town on a regular basis especially being only an hour from Lodi, Stockton, an hour and half from Merced and Yosemite and a few hours from Sacramento, Napa, and San Francisco. Murphys is a Gold Rush town that offers recreation in all four seasons with the lakes, reservoirs, caves, mountain sports, golf and hiking. Although fires have destroyed buildings over the years, Murphys has retained its history with a few historic buildings that remain and a few that have been rebuilt. “Most of them are still currently in use including the Historic Murphys Hotel,” stated Plotnik. “Many are now housing retail shops, tasting rooms, and vacation rentals. Murphys is named for the Murphys Brothers who operated a mining supply business during the gold rush in what was then called Murphys Camp. These days our wine industry is the big draw for many visitors.” There are some specialty food shops including a spice shop called The Spice Tin, and an olive oil tasting bar called Marisolio Tasting Bar. Walking down Main Street there are unique shops like Moon 209 DOWNTOWNS
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Alley Candles, Moss & Rust, Murphys Treasures, Calaveras Natural Creations gift boutique, the Man Cave, Best Friends Consignment, Books on Main, Murphys Motorcycle Company, and Sierra Nevada Adventure Co to name a few. Another stop for the family especially during the warmer days is JoMa’s Artisan Ice Cream and then maybe a stop into Nelson’s Candies to satisfy that sweet tooth. Plotnik noted that Ironstone Vineyards is the largest winery in the area and home to a 49-pound large crystalline gold nugget, a museum, and beautiful grounds filled with a blanket of colorful daffodils in the spring. The list of wineries and tasting rooms is long with the diverse varietals found in the Sierra Foothills many are handcrafted small batch wines produced by family owned and operated wineries right in downtown. Some of those wineries are Black Sheep Winery, Coppermine Winery, Four Winds Cellars, Frogs Tooth Winery, Jazz Cellars, Indian Rock Vineyards, Milliaire Winery, Newsome Harlow, Stevenot Winery, Tanner Vineyards and Winery, Twisted Oak Tasting Room, and Villa Vallecito Vineyards which is only a small portion of the wine offerings downtown. Pop the Bubbly is a Champagne tasting bar that also offers beer, wine, lunch and appetizers that is at the end of Main in the historic Thompson building with the E.C.V. Wall of Comparative Ovations. Lavender Ridge Vineyard offers wine tasting, artisan cheese, and lavender products that exudes an aromatic calming scent prior to approaching the stone historic Old Segale Building.
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Murphys has become a very popular destination year-round but we still hear that some people are unaware that we have a historic downtown and drive right past us on Highway 4 thinking we are just gas stations, grocery stores, and an ATM. — Michelle Plotnik
“The Hovey Winery is housed in a historic building that was once the home of Albert Michaelson, winner of the Nobel Prize in physics,” added Plotnik. “I believe Brice Station has some of the highest elevation vineyards in the state. All of our wineries have something special to offer. They are family owned and we hear all the time about just how friendly Murphys is as a whole.” For those that may not be that fond of wine there are a number of craft and specialty beer spots like the Irish Pub on
Main Street, Murphys Pour House, and the Watering Hole on Big Trees Road. With shamrocks painted in the middle of Main Street it is no surprise that one of the popular annual events held downtown is Murphys Irish Day. A few other events that draw people to the small town is President’s Wine Weekend, Muphys Homecoming, Calaveras Grape Stomp, Murphys Dia de Los Muertos, and Murphys Open House. “We close down Main Street for several of those events, invite entertainers and 209 DOWNTOWNS
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vendors, and even host home town style parades for Irish Day and Open House,” said Plotnik. “Murphys has become a very popular destination year-round but we still hear that some people are unaware that we have a historic downtown and drive right past us on Highway 4 thinking we are just gas stations, grocery stores, and an ATM.” The live music with big stars at Ironstone or the local talent that can be seen at the wineries or the tree-filled park that has a creek running through it for smaller events like the First Friday Live Music Series
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hosted by Murphys Community Club in the summer and fall bring entertainment to downtown. With all the walking through downtown and the wine tasting there are several restaurants on Main Street like Alchemy Café, Grounds Restaurant, Murphys Grille, Tipsy Frog Wine Bar, and V Restaurant Bar & Bistro to find edible delights. The listing of restaurants and tasting rooms along with more information can be found at visitmurphys. com and calaveraswines.org websites.
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RIPON
Ripon: Jewel of the Valley By VINCE REMBULAT
T Buildings that are over 100 years old are still here. They’ve been repurposed but have not changed significantly over the years. — John Mangelos
he Little Antiques Cottage offers up refurbished old furniture. “We paint to fit today’s home,” said Sharon Sanchez, who uses products such as Dixie Belle Mineral Paint to do refinish that quality-built cabinet or table. She and her husband Dave Sanchez opened The Little Antiques Cottage – the inventory is a combination of the new and old – located just off the beaten path in downtown Ripon earlier this year. This is the fourth store belonging to Sharon Sanchez, who similar-type businesses in Oakdale and Modesto. “We live in Ripon and were looking to open up a place in downtown,” she said. While the address is 113 E. Main St., trying to find the place – try the back parking lot towards the end of the historic downtown section – may take some leg work. As for the actual downtown, that part of Ripon is easily accessible off Highway 99. “Our downtown is unique,” said John Mangelos, who wears many hats including businessman, historian, and writer. His recently released “Ripon: Past & Present” – his second book with Arcadia Publishing in association with The History Press (Mangelos also put together “Images of America: Ripon”) – features many of the buildings that have stood the test of time. “Buildings that are over 100 years old are still here. They’ve been repurposed but have not changed significantly over the years,” he said. Mangelos along with his brother Joe and nephew Paul are owners of The Barnwood Arms Co., with the latter managing 209 DOWNTOWNS
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the full-service gun store at 120 E. Main St. “I practically grew up in this place,” said Paul Mangelos, who noted that his father Joe Mangelos received his Federal Firearms License prior to opening the business in 1981. Barnwood Arms is a full-service gun store and shooting range that’s been a downtown staple since 1990. Across the way is A Matter of Taste Wine Bar & Bistro (115 E. Main St.) with a nightly-changing menu composed of two or three dinner courses using organic and peak-of-the-season ingredients. Judith Valenzuela opened A Matter of Taste in 2019 and recently acquired The Vault Wine Bar. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Ripon eased the restriction of outdoor dining. A Matter of Taste made the most of the “Outdoor Dining within a Public Right-of-Way” ordinance with the construction of the shaded wood-decked section, occupying several front parking lot spaces. Valenzuela added that the outdoor dining space can accommodate up 45 patrons while helping out her businesses during the time of COVID. What’s evident in downtown is the lack of chain restaurants and businesses — outside of Dollar Tree. In the same block as A Matter of Taste and Barnwood Arms include places such as Ripon Roadhouse and Mexican restaurants such as Las Casuelas and Taqueria Ripon El Molcajete. Along the paver streets include places such as Isabe’s Vintage Café, Pizza Plus, Ice Cream Emporium, Ripon Veterinary Hospital, Ripon Mini Mart. Ripon Fun
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Factory (toys), Sky Nails, Divine Health Spa, and Organic Milk West, just to name a few, coupled with shops, banks, a library, places of worship and other businesses. “We have a mix of different businesses,” John Mangelos said. “I think our downtown is blossoming.” In 2017, the City of Ripon and the Ripon Chamber of Commerce collaborated to boost the downtown by recruiting new businesses and assisting the current ones through the creation
of the Economic Development Program Committee. The Committee is made up of one Chamber representative, one City Council member, one City staff member and various business owners and community leaders. “Surrounding cities are actively growing and recruiting – (this program) would like to see Ripon have similar opportunities,” said Debbie Daniels, who is the chairperson for the committee. While the annual population of Ri209 DOWNTOWNS
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pon is around 15,000, there is one time of year when the small San Joaquin Valley town draws in thousands of visitors — almond blossom season. Ripon has hosted an Almond Blossom Festival the last weekend of February every year (except for 2021 due to COVID) for the past 59 years. This annual community event that pays tribute to the area’s top crop features a parade, royal court, ‘diaper derby,’ putting local baby crawlers to the test, and traditional carnival out at Mistlin Park.
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