I walked from Iron Springs down to the CVS store this afternoon. Purpose: to record the changes since reporting on the
Miller Valley empties last January. Before you read any further, do go back to that post. In particular, read all the comments; more than one old-timer has weighed in with stories about the past. Well worth your time!
So, what did I find out today? First, that the old filling station next to the True Value is now a rental place. All kinds of stuff. You can even rent the blow-em-up bounce machine for your next party. Didn't get the price.
The venerable El Chaparral has been succeeded by La Fonda, continuing the tradition of Mexican food. Anybody out there tried it yet?
And after all this time, the Hong Kong looks to be ready for opening day. All reports say that the proprietors of this establishment do a good job at a good price. Am I correct that these are the same folks who ran the Chinese buffet over behind the Costco and now have a similar place in PV?
Of course, we're all aware that the McDonald's is being rebuilt from the ground up. Even the raven below. I wonder if the franchisee will still offer that little play area; after spending time with my daughter and her super-bouncy OmegaDotter, I understand the appeal of such amenities!
Oops -- I didn't get a new picture of the wonderful rock building, but I'm happy to report that there is some sort of cosmetic or beauty operation there. Thus ends the good news. Now for the not-so-good news, i.e., the current empties. The former Stockman's Bank remains shuttered, with no clue as to any potential new business occupant.
That (dare-I-mention-it pink) building at the corner of Fair/Hillside also needs filling. Not that it was ever apparent just what sort of businesses held forth at that address. I do recall that when we first moved to Prescott in the 80s, there was a green grocer at the rear. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a good green grocer again? Makes me recall the wonderful stores back in Chicago's Italian neighborhoods.
Also empty: the building across the street which formerly housed Prescott Classic Auto Parts, which has moved three doors down the block. I think that's all, but did you realize what a restaurant row this short stretch of Miller Valley Road has become? Once the McD and the Hong Kong are open, the total count from the Taco Bell down to Trishs' Lil Cafe will be nine. That's a lot of eating out.
So, what did I find out today? First, that the old filling station next to the True Value is now a rental place. All kinds of stuff. You can even rent the blow-em-up bounce machine for your next party. Didn't get the price.
The venerable El Chaparral has been succeeded by La Fonda, continuing the tradition of Mexican food. Anybody out there tried it yet?
And after all this time, the Hong Kong looks to be ready for opening day. All reports say that the proprietors of this establishment do a good job at a good price. Am I correct that these are the same folks who ran the Chinese buffet over behind the Costco and now have a similar place in PV?
Of course, we're all aware that the McDonald's is being rebuilt from the ground up. Even the raven below. I wonder if the franchisee will still offer that little play area; after spending time with my daughter and her super-bouncy OmegaDotter, I understand the appeal of such amenities!
Oops -- I didn't get a new picture of the wonderful rock building, but I'm happy to report that there is some sort of cosmetic or beauty operation there. Thus ends the good news. Now for the not-so-good news, i.e., the current empties. The former Stockman's Bank remains shuttered, with no clue as to any potential new business occupant.
That (dare-I-mention-it pink) building at the corner of Fair/Hillside also needs filling. Not that it was ever apparent just what sort of businesses held forth at that address. I do recall that when we first moved to Prescott in the 80s, there was a green grocer at the rear. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a good green grocer again? Makes me recall the wonderful stores back in Chicago's Italian neighborhoods.
Also empty: the building across the street which formerly housed Prescott Classic Auto Parts, which has moved three doors down the block. I think that's all, but did you realize what a restaurant row this short stretch of Miller Valley Road has become? Once the McD and the Hong Kong are open, the total count from the Taco Bell down to Trishs' Lil Cafe will be nine. That's a lot of eating out.
I read the previouse post and enjoyed it. We also have a new Chinese place in the hamlet. Good food, but not cheap. It will take some time for everything to pick up, if it ever does, but those retiring Baby Boomers need a nice place to do it.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be up there next weekend. What is the scheduled opening date for the buffet? Seems like they have been working on it for a long time.
ReplyDeletesteve -- many years ago, my editorial job included periodic tours abroad with groups of restaurateurs. I was particularly fascinated with a Chinese couple. In every city we visited, they went off to visit the local Chinese restaurants to catch up on the gossip. However, in Eastern Europe (then under the thumb of the USSR), the Chinese restaurants were not run by Chinese!
ReplyDeleteQD -- nobody seems to know. White lines for parking spaces have just been painted; the restaurant now has a phone number (708-1680) but nobody answered when I called.
We ate at La Fonda many times before they abandoned us here in Mayer. It's not great -- certainly not as good as Tito's in Prescott Valley -- but not bad.
ReplyDeletebillb -- I didn't realize that LaFonda had a history. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. The family behind La Fonda has had restaurants in the Verde Valley and Flagstaff since the 50s, I think.
ReplyDeletebillb -- do they know how to make mole? I once had a quite dreadful mole when the restaurant there was El Charro...
ReplyDeleteI remember the pink building as a Tortilla factory when I was a kid. But it was a fairly short-lived endeavor if memory serves. It's been empty for a good portion of my life.
ReplyDeleteI've heard some not-so-great things about la fonda's so have been avoiding it so far. I did try Casa Del Sol on miller valley a few weeks ago and it was pretty decent. Definitely fair for the price paid. Best mexican on that strip is still taco don's though. :)
tombo -- welcome back -- hope you had a good mini-vacation. Taco Don's! Thank you, that makes it 10 on the strip.
ReplyDeleteOh, man! I remember opening day at that McDonald's, Prescott's first (and still its only? Haven't kept track). Probably the only places where hundreds of people have stood in line for an ordinary Big Mac have been Moscow, Beijing, and Prescott.
ReplyDeleteAnd then there was that big hoopla when the McDonald's commercial was filmed in town. Even those of us who disliked football sat through the Super Bowl so we could see our town of "Willow Creek" given thirty seconds at halftime. I wonder if the rebuilt store with the play clutter will prove so attractive a film location.
melanie -- I didn't realize that McD had made such an impact on Prescott! Like most folk, I tend to take it for granted...
ReplyDeleteLa Fonda: mediocre at best. The parking lot is often full, so others disagree.
ReplyDeleteThere's a very nice Italian resturant across the street from La Fonda called the Roman Restorante. It has changed hands a few times, the current owners prepare very good food. Open for dinners only. Recommended.
dagny -- I think that location has a lot of inertia built in; people are simply used to stopping there for Mexican food after all these years. As for the Roman Restorante, I have to give in a whirl; haven't been there since 2 or 3 incarnations ago.
ReplyDeleteFirst time commenting on your blog but I've enjoyed reading it every now and then. I haven't tried the hong kong restaurant yet so no clue that they are the same owners of the china buffet near costco or the p.v. buffet. I do know the china buffet has reopened after supposedly "renovating" although it's doesn't look at all renovated (except 4 new paint). The p.v. buffet is owned by different people; they do not own china buffet near costco.
ReplyDeleteogpv -- it's good to hear from you -- do speak up again! And thanks for the updated info. I do wonder if the area can support three different Chinese buffets, especially in such economic down times.
ReplyDelete