5 comments:

• Kevin Paglia posted at 5:52 pm on Tue, Apr 12, 2011.

  Posts: 1729

  Here's an odd thought (or two) about what to do with them:

  I enjoy working on my own car. oil changes, break jobs, replaced a gasket or two and a radiator on my '72 El Camino (first car). But what I lack are the tools and knowledge of some of the things that need to be done for more complicated things. So here's the odd thought. How about using the service bays at the dealership as a do it yourself auto repair center with trained professionals there to help you if you need it. Space can be rented by the hour, help hired (some of the out of work repair guys around town may appreciate some income) on an as needed basis. My son wants an older car which means he would need some help getting it to working order. It would benefit him greatly to actually do as much of the work as he can and this kind of set up would give him that experience/knowledge.

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 11:45 am on Tue, Apr 12, 2011.

  Posts: 9403

  Jackson... I agree with you that F&M would be taking on risk... and I would not even consider such a risky venture...unless the city of Lodi partnered with and eliminated the red tape and expenses associates in meeting city mandates and regulations... I thought the question was "what should "Lodi" do".. with an asset that is worthless and can lead to surrounding businesses having less value. If a farmers market was done correctly, it could generate revenue easily for itself and other businesses... but I agree with you... it will never happen if you follow in box thinking...

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• Jackson Scott posted at 8:14 am on Tue, Apr 12, 2011.

  Posts: 368

  Kevin & Darrell, both sound like great ideas. But put yourself in F&M's shoes: do you want to open this site to the public for a farmers market or flea market type of events? How much revenue can be generated by such events? Then look at the amount of background work associated with producing such an event: site prep, layout design, porta potties, trash, security, Insurance, and much much more. In the long run I dont see this as a business opportunity I would take a chance on if I were the bank bosses.

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• Darrell Baumbach posted at 11:13 am on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.

  Posts: 9403

  How about a daily farmers market... with music, cooking, and very inexpensive produce.
  In doors for the winter... outdoors for the summer...

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• Kevin Paglia posted at 8:03 am on Sat, Apr 9, 2011.

  Posts: 1729

  Just a thought. Why not open them up one weekend a month for central location garage sale. Families who want to sell their stuff can rent a spot for $5, $10 for larger, and then there would be one location for bargain hunters to go picking through the best deals.

  The other option is along the same lines but open up one of the lots to a flea market type place. It would put the lots to use and get some cash flowing to locals while saving other some money.

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