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Fashion Find
May 21, 2008
From Greer’s OC web site: Are you not one to follow trends … yet on the fashion hunt for something avante garde, a little off-center, and tres fashionable?
Then visit Paula and Paula Home in Old Town Tustin. The store features interesting apparel, shoes, hats and accessories with the help of the dynamic team, Paula and Phyllis. Read more
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Change is Good
April 24, 2008
I’ve ranted a lot in these posts about how change is necessary if Old Town is going to survive as a commercial entity when stacked up against the ever-present Marketplace, the new Legacy and the soon to be redeveloped City Center.
In fact, I’ve gone so far as to suggest that the city’s “lead from behind” strategy for downtown over the past 25 years has been less than successful, and that possibly a new plan of action should be considered if any different results are to be expected. Read more
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Reasons to Linger
April 23, 2008
I spend quite a bit of time in Old Town. Of course, my wife and I own a business here so that skews the test a bit. If I didn’t have to be here, would I? I know I’d like to. There’s really no place else in the city that has the same ‘feel’ as downtown. Read more
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Two of a Kind
April 23, 2008
By and large, one thing you won’t find in Old Town are chain stores. Some would argue that’s the main reason the word “sleepy” sometimes pops up in descriptions of the area. On the other hand, it’s also what makes Old Town unique to Tustin and even Irvine. In keeping with that spirit, there are two local businesses in particular that exemplify the independent spirit of our downtown and make it such a special place to go.
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Chicken or the Egg?
April 23, 2008
I was hoping you could help me settle a bet. The majority of the consumer feedback sent to me bemoans the fact that Old Town seems to roll up the sidewalks by 5PM (a couple restaurants & bars notwithstanding). But if you were to poll the shop owners, the number one reason for the perceived bankers’ hours is that there are simply not enough people down here at night to warrant later closing times. Given what’s at stake for the local merchants, I think you’d be safe in labeling this a lose lose situation for all concerned.
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Noorm!
April 22, 2008
Be honest. Who wouldn’t want to hear their name shouted out as they walked through the door of their favorite watering hole? If your recent visits to a tavern feel about as authentic as a TGI Friday’s commercial or you think paying upwards of six dollars for a ‘premium’ draft should entitle you to stock options in the bar, then maybe you should consider what Old Town has to offer.
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Celebrating Culture in Old Town
April 22, 2008
It was thirteen years ago John and Merry Powers began a search for that would be suitable place for John’s printmaking endeavors. When they found the perfect location for an etching studio in Cox’s Market Plaza in Old Town Tustin, they didn’t realize that the 1920’s brick space would eventually spawn four distinct entities under one roof. Read more
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Cup or Cone?
February 12, 2008
(Appended from a TOTA Tustin News Column from September 2005) After asking our readers what type of new businesses they’d prefer to see in Old Town, the verdict is in. Apparently when folks are strolling down El Camino Real, they want a stiff cup of joe followed by a double scoop of chocolate swirl with sprinkles on top. And they want to be able to do it at night - with all the other shops still open (presumably with laughter in the air and merriment all around…).
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Just Park It
February 12, 2008
(This is an updated TOTA post taken from a Tustin News column August of 2005) For anyone with a wager on how long it would take us to write a column about the parking situation in Old Town, the winning ticket is ‘column #3’. From all the feedback received from shoppers and shop owners alike over the past year, this topic is likely to fan a few flames. What makes this issue important to local business is store accessibility. All too often, a bad parking experience is translated into a bad shopping experience. Something none of us can afford. Read more
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Merry Commerce!
November 29, 2005
Tustin News Column 11/29/05: Show of hands - how many of you think of Old Town when it comes to holiday gift shopping? That’s what I thought.
Here are some numbers to ponder the next time you contemplate the freeway traffic and the long checkout lines at the big mall: Read more
