I’ve read several posts on various blogs now blasting the Regional Mobility Authority and their desire to expand the infrastructure in Northwest Arkansas. Now, I don’t consider myself a wealthy business owner, but I am a business owner, and I have noticed how little people like to drive in NWA. Honestly, I don’t blame them. We’ve got one artery that connects Fayetteville to Benton County, and it is literally taking your life in your own hands when you venture out. Couple this with absolutely no east-west conduits except the strip that connects 540 and 71 in Fayetteville just south of the NWA mall makes it very difficult to go anywhere. Our metro area is over 450k people, which is big enough to sustain lots of different types of businesses, but with the severe constriction in transportation options, you greatly reduce how many trips we make down to Fayetteville to enjoy some of our favorite restaurants, not to mention how many customers we have outside of Rogers that really don’t like making the trek to our store.
If you take a metro area like Dallas for a case in point. Even though sometimes it’s bumper to bumper crawl due to a wreck or sever congestion, there are several highways (35, 45, 75, et al) and the 635 loop. Everyone hops on the 635 and gets around Dallas quite easily most of the time. It’s not uncommon to take 30 minutes to get somewhere, but that gives you the entire Dallas proper as your playground. Now, take someone who lives in Rogers, but would like to go down to Dickson Street or a nice restaurant. Yes, 540 usually gets you there (except it is often bumper to bumper at the pleasant grove exit for no apparent reason other than people can’t merge properly) but that only gets you to the edge of Fayetteville. 25 minutes to get to Fayetteville, and another 15 to 20 to get across town through all of the stop lights. It’s not really that far if you compare driving distances from someplace like Dallas, but risk your life slamming on your breaks because nobody can merge and the highway really needs to be 6 or 8 lane, and then endure stop light after stop light, and then it’s almost too much trouble to want to go anywhere.
We hear the same stories from a few of our Bentonville customers that are just going to Rogers. What’s the best route to our store if you live in Bella Vista? I think this infrastructure deficit is choking out small businesses more than anything. The local shops that “Keep Fayetteville Funky” and give you dining options that aren’t met by fast food or chains. These local businesses directly support our local economy. All of the profits stay local, as opposed to just the local salaries. My wife drives 8 miles into Springdale from our house, and it takes 30 minutes down 71 - and thats the only way to get there. That is ridiculous.
Northwest Arkansas is suffering from severe urban sprawl, and the only way we are going to keep business booming is to expand our infrastructure faster than we have been. The biggest improvements have been in Rogers. It’s taken some time, but New Hope is now a very viable east-west conduit to get across Rogers with minimal lights. 40th (or 45th, I can’t remember which it is) is also a great route to get from 71 to New Hope, with minimal lights. We need more of these, and if possible, some express ways that will get you from one east-west end of each town to the other with no stop lights.
The state is not going to pony up in proportion with the growth this region has had. I know they are spending tax dollars on replacing gravel roads in SE Arkansas, and if I lived there, I would want the gravel road in front of my house paved also, but each city is going to completely die from the inside out. Rogers downtown is in this cycle. The Fayetteville square is struggling, and I see lots of property for rent in Springdale’s downtown as well. Lots of effort and discussions have centered around how to revitalize these historic areas that are rich with history and nostalgia, but the only thing that is going to truly save them are roads that will take people there quickly and effortlessly. I am not a member of this "Elitist Group" as they are being called, but I do think they are on track for the whole of NWA.
I don't necessarily agree that the move to XNA in Highfill was a good idea either, but it did offer some room for growth. If I recall, every flight went through Dallas, and then out to where ever you were going, so an extra layover plus hour flight time is about a net zero if you are driving to Tulsa for a cheaper flight. :P
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
It was a cold snowy night...
It was a cold snowy night, when throughout the store - not a creature was stirring - except Miss Kitty (our newest resident).
We just finished resetting the store on the Saturday before Christmas this year, and I thought it looked very festive. If anyone remembers what it looked like our very first Christmas, you will remember we only carried treats and some ceramics that we did on consignment from Ceramatherapy (who has since closed their doors). I wish I had taken photos back then for a "then and now" comparison, but to give you an idea of what it looked like, we had 5 large fake ficus trees to help fill some of the space. We also spread the treat barrels over half of the store.
We have always envisioned a cute little shop brimming with goodies, toys, and treasures for your beloved pets, but we didn't quite have the cash when we opened for a huge inventory. We had budgeted most of our opening expenses for restaurant equipment, and hadn't thought much about other products we wanted to carry at the time. Small oversight I guess.We slowly added new products with any money the store made, and this is what it looks like today, for anyone whose never made the trek to the little dog bakery in Rogers recently.
We've still got a ways to go. We want to add some party supplies, more collars and leashes, as well as a host of other products, and I realize we're not as big as petco or petsmart, but everything in our store is superior quality, since we try and find products that are guaranteed, made in the USA, or are all natural (or all three when we're lucky).
Thank you to all of our customers out there who have supported us over the last year and a half, who've given us ideas for products they would like to see in our store, and have embraced what we carry.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Bigwag Team (Erin, Cary, Toby, Holly, Anna, Terresa, Peggy, and Brandi, Sam, Hannah, TC, Yoda, Maisy, and Bitsy)
We just finished resetting the store on the Saturday before Christmas this year, and I thought it looked very festive. If anyone remembers what it looked like our very first Christmas, you will remember we only carried treats and some ceramics that we did on consignment from Ceramatherapy (who has since closed their doors). I wish I had taken photos back then for a "then and now" comparison, but to give you an idea of what it looked like, we had 5 large fake ficus trees to help fill some of the space. We also spread the treat barrels over half of the store.
We have always envisioned a cute little shop brimming with goodies, toys, and treasures for your beloved pets, but we didn't quite have the cash when we opened for a huge inventory. We had budgeted most of our opening expenses for restaurant equipment, and hadn't thought much about other products we wanted to carry at the time. Small oversight I guess.We slowly added new products with any money the store made, and this is what it looks like today, for anyone whose never made the trek to the little dog bakery in Rogers recently.
We've still got a ways to go. We want to add some party supplies, more collars and leashes, as well as a host of other products, and I realize we're not as big as petco or petsmart, but everything in our store is superior quality, since we try and find products that are guaranteed, made in the USA, or are all natural (or all three when we're lucky).
Thank you to all of our customers out there who have supported us over the last year and a half, who've given us ideas for products they would like to see in our store, and have embraced what we carry.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Bigwag Team (Erin, Cary, Toby, Holly, Anna, Terresa, Peggy, and Brandi, Sam, Hannah, TC, Yoda, Maisy, and Bitsy)
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Starting off the new year with an apology
Unfortunately, I'm afraid I've got to apologize to our customers and fans to start off the new year. You see, we as a company, as well as a family (we are a family business) have been using a local publication's Pet Calendar as a form of advertising for two years now and my heart just sank when I opened up the calendar this year and saw that we were sharing advertising space with a business that supports puppy mills. It just made me sick.
We work very hard throughout the year to support local rescues and shelters, most notably the Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue and the Humane Society for Animals in Benton County. We are absolutely against puppy mills, the cruel treatment they provide their animals and any business that supports puppy mills by purchasing animals from them. We refuse to do business with companies that support these types of organizations as a matter of principle. There are lots of pet stores out there and maybe it doesn't make good business sense, but we feel like if we have to support those kinds of organizations to stay in business, then we'd just soon close shop.
We own rescue dogs from the Humane Society. But you can also refrain from supporting puppy mills by purchasing an animal from a reputable breeder. How do you know if a breeder is reputable? There was an excellent article on the Pet Connection some weeks back on how to tell if a breeder is reputable. You can also rescue pure bred animals from breed specific rescues. www.petfinder.com is an excellent source for finding them.
With so many animals that need good homes right now, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to consider rescuing animals or supporting reputable breeders. The only way to stop puppy mills is to stop buying from them and to tell your friends and neighbors to do the same. And you can also help animals in need by volunteering at or donating to rescues and shelters. We domesticated these animals - they are under our stewardship now. We can't just throw them out like garbage.
So again, I apologize. Last year this publication did not have any advertising from these puppy mill supporters. If we'd known that we would not have placed any ads and we will not be advertising in this publication next year. The real unfortunate side effect is that I have to look at these ads for twelve months now.
We work very hard throughout the year to support local rescues and shelters, most notably the Northwest Arkansas Animal Rescue and the Humane Society for Animals in Benton County. We are absolutely against puppy mills, the cruel treatment they provide their animals and any business that supports puppy mills by purchasing animals from them. We refuse to do business with companies that support these types of organizations as a matter of principle. There are lots of pet stores out there and maybe it doesn't make good business sense, but we feel like if we have to support those kinds of organizations to stay in business, then we'd just soon close shop.
We own rescue dogs from the Humane Society. But you can also refrain from supporting puppy mills by purchasing an animal from a reputable breeder. How do you know if a breeder is reputable? There was an excellent article on the Pet Connection some weeks back on how to tell if a breeder is reputable. You can also rescue pure bred animals from breed specific rescues. www.petfinder.com is an excellent source for finding them.
With so many animals that need good homes right now, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to consider rescuing animals or supporting reputable breeders. The only way to stop puppy mills is to stop buying from them and to tell your friends and neighbors to do the same. And you can also help animals in need by volunteering at or donating to rescues and shelters. We domesticated these animals - they are under our stewardship now. We can't just throw them out like garbage.
So again, I apologize. Last year this publication did not have any advertising from these puppy mill supporters. If we'd known that we would not have placed any ads and we will not be advertising in this publication next year. The real unfortunate side effect is that I have to look at these ads for twelve months now.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Solid Gold Health Food recalls canned dog food
Therese at PetSitUSA spotted this one first I think:
Solid Gold Voluntary Recall - Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes
Formula
Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes Formula Canned Dog
Food 13.2 oz Cans - POP-TOP CANS ONLY WITH A ‘USE BY DATE 01/02/2010′ located on
the bottom of can.
A limited production of this Turkey canned food was made
with the POP-TOP, and none of the product was distributed in any of the
following states: Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Hawaii, or Alaska.
Solid Gold has received several complaints regarding mold
found in a batch of 13.2 oz canned Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet
Potatoes Formula, with Pop-Tops. As a precautionary measure, they ask that you
return any of this product with the ‘Use By Date 01/02/2010′; you will find
these numbers on the bottom of the cans.
* 13.2 oz Turkey and Ocean Fish
Canned Dog Food.* Purple label with a POP -TOP (Pull top) only..* Date on bottom
of can 01/02/2010* Turkey and Ocean Fish cans without a Pop-Top are not
affected.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Product Review - Christmas Yule Doos
No dog family Christmas is complete without a little doo-doo on the ole Christmas tree! These ornaments will complete any tree in style. Yule Doos are the hot tree ornament this season. Jay Leno went wild over these on the Tonight Show! A 3"x3" soft serve shape of doo, these are lightly frosted with a kiss of glittery snow and hung on a beautiful satin ribbon. Yule Doos are hilarious stocking stuffer for any dog lover. Yule Doos, "When a Tinkle's not Enough!"
Top 5 things you can do to be Merry for Christmas
Every blog does lists. Top 10 ways to maximize your SEO. Top 10 gifts to buy for Christmas. Top 10 people you should know. Top 10 websites for Black Friday sales. I thought I would post a list of my own - only I think this is the most important list of all - especially considering the giving time of year. Plus, I only have 5:
Top 5 things you can do to be Merry for Christmas
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2 Free your mind from worries.
3 Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less
Cheesy? Perhaps. Dead-on? I think so. Anyone have any thoughts?
Top 5 things you can do to be Merry for Christmas
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2 Free your mind from worries.
3 Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less
Cheesy? Perhaps. Dead-on? I think so. Anyone have any thoughts?
Friday, December 5, 2008
Want Some Water???
A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.
He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.
As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump."
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.
The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree. "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is Heaven," he answered.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too." "Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind." Soooo ...
Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a word.
Maybe this will explain.
When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do? You forward jokes. When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes.
When you have something to say, but don't know what, and don't know how, you forward jokes. Also to let you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still loved, you are still cared for, guess what you get?
A forwarded joke.
So, next time if you get a joke, don't think that you've been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you've been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile.
You are all welcome @ my water bowl anytime
-- Author Unknown
He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up."
The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.
As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book. "Excuse me!" he called to the man. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump."
They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.
The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree. "What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is Heaven," he answered.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too." "Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind." Soooo ...
Sometimes, we wonder why friends keep forwarding jokes to us without writing a word.
Maybe this will explain.
When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do? You forward jokes. When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes.
When you have something to say, but don't know what, and don't know how, you forward jokes. Also to let you know that you are still remembered, you are still important, you are still loved, you are still cared for, guess what you get?
A forwarded joke.
So, next time if you get a joke, don't think that you've been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you've been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile.
You are all welcome @ my water bowl anytime
-- Author Unknown
Thursday, December 4, 2008
December Visitor
Hey Everyone!
We had a visitor here last night, and it wasn't Santa Claus. For the past few nights a cat has been hanging around the bakery. She seems to be in very good condition, but she was tremendously hungry. She was just huddling outside the door after we closed last night, so we let her spend the night in the bakery since it was so cold. I would think if she was just out patrolling the neighborhood, she would have gone home when it got cold. She's wearing a white flea collar, but no other collar or id. I think it's she likely belongs to someone, as she is very loving and isn't startled by people or noises. She doesn't seem to like dogs too much, but then, most cats don't. She left this morning after eating, but I have a feeling she's likely to be back. If you know anything about this cat or who she belongs to, please give us a call or come visit. I hate to see animals outside when it's cold.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
