Shaw's Closing

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:08:22 -0400

It came as a huge surprise to me and everyone else - n'est pas? I mean, when you heard about Shaw's closing, didn't your jaw just drop? I was so shocked I wasn't ready to totally believe it. I even went so far as to have my boyfriend call and ask for store hours just in case someone answered.

Surprise, surprise - the message dropped right into voice mail announcing the closure of the Shaw's store location in Penngrove. Not a rumor - it's fact.

There are so many things that this means though. Equestrians in Sonoma County have been fortunate to have more than just a handful of options, but I'd say Shaw's was one of the more well-known well-established tack stores. So for equestrian enthusiasts it means that their options have become (drastically) more limited. For our store it means the same thing. We have enjoyed a relationship with Shaw's in the past that allowed us to call and inquire about the availability of an item, and they have called us as well for the same reason. Try as we might, you just can't have it all - there's too much out there!

But we're going to give it our best try. Starting August 17th, we've expanded our store hours to accomodate those of you that would like a little more freedom to shop on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Our Sunday hours will be 12 - 4, and Monday, Tuesdays will be 10 - 5. I would say that this new schedule will be something like an experiment. It's been more than just a passing thought for a couple months now that it would be a good idea to be open Sundays, but with the recent closure of Shaw's it seems necessary to be open 7 days a week.

Like anything else though, it is important to have a reason for being here. Gone are the days that people would load up the car with a few friends and make the long drive to Petaluma - the internet's changed a lot of things for those of us that maintain tack shoppes. I've seen more than 1 long time tack store go by the wayside because of the internet. I like to think that as convenient as the internet is (I'm guilty of doing some of my own shopping there!), there's still nothing that compares to actually looking at your purchases, touching them, and having the chance to try them on. Our prices (I like to think) are as realistic and fair as anything you'll find on the internet - and that's a big part of what I hope will keep you coming back to our quaint little tack shoppe - that, and the fact that you'll have access to a local resource that can get you just about anything you might want. There are limitations I suppose, but we've got more longevity than anyone else in the industry (really!).

I look forward to seeing you in the near future!

Pam

Update on Julie's Cancer Surgery

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:20:38 -0400

It's like hiding out in your own home...

You hear a noise - or the hint of one that's unfamiliar in the dark of night while you're sleeping in bed. You slip quietly out of your bed and into the safety of a closet, peering out now and then to see if there's an intruder and if they're gone.

" I should've been more proactive" (you think), "I should've gotten that alarm system after my neighbor was robbed last week."

Should've, could've, would've... Hindsight is 20-20 they say. Jake & Julie's show schedule is ongoing for roughly 40 weeks out of the year, and Julie has had a tendency to put her health on the back-burner. This recent scare has been a real eye-opener, and has likely given her cause to pay more attention to what her body has been telling her.

To all of you that didn't know, Julie got the word last week that she has cancer. And while the word cancer is never a good word, the outlook is good. She was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer which is of (just about any type of cancer) the most cureable.

She had her surgery today at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco, and the current news is that the surgery was a success. Just what that means, I don't know. I guess any type of surgery that you live through is a success. Her stay at the hospital is expected to last roughly 5 days - give or take a few. Her recovery is going to be far more lengthy - about 8 weeks. But she's going to do her best be good and take it easy.

It would be during this time that we ask of everyone to hope for the best. Likely she's going to have to follow this surgery up with chemo, and radiation, but it'll all be for the Greater Good.

Jake is doing just 'okay'. He's naturally beside himself with worry, but like the rest of us he's hoping for the best and intends to be there for her during her lengthy recovery.

For my part, aside from holding the good thought, my contribution to her recovery will be to do my very best to cover all the shows that her and Jake attend with limited input from Jake. Understandably he will be anxious to be at home with Julie while she recovers. I started working for my Grandparents some 35 years ago, so I am 100% familiar with the apparel, strap goods, and bits, but to date have never actually worked a show.

A reminder to everyone - Good Health is a gift. Julie has the benefit of being in very good health and will likely recover - with stories to tell. I would encourage anyone that hasn't done so recently to have that 'Peace of mind check-up', just so you know that everything's in good working order. Funny how we place a premium on the health of our horses, and other loved ones in our family, but ignore ourselves.

To anyone that may ask (and I've had a few requests), Well-Wishes, or messages of encouragement can be sent to Julie at home: 918 Cottonwood Ct, Petaluma CA 94954, or email: englishtac@sbcglobal..net.

All the Best, and many thanks for your good thoughts and prayers.

Pam

Update - December 23rd:

If you've been keeping up and asking about Julie and Jake; Thank You! Julie's doing just fine now, and to look at her you'd never know that there was anything that was wrong. She's been given a clean-bill of health and the doctors are SO confident that she's cancer-free that they're opting NOT to follow up with chemo or radiation. Blessings from On-High... and a nice way to end 2007.

Cheers!

Blog

Shaw's Closing

Update on Julie's Cancer Surgery