TUBULAR TWO
Music is healing
Duo opening snow tubing park.
Musical artists entertain seniors.
Inside, A3
News, Etc., B1
C a l i f o r n i a ’ s O l d e s t N e w s pa p e r – E s t. 18 51
Friday, December 4, 2020
Volume 169 • Issue 141 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
‘Formula’ Therapy Stores OK’d for downtown Thomas Frey Staff writer
Mountain Democrat photo by Thomas Frey
The Folsom Therapy Stores, pictured, is the only Therapy Stores location in the Sacramento region.
Therapy Stores has been approved by the Placerville Planning Commission to open for business at the former site of Combellack’s on Main Street in downtown Placerville. But that may not be the end of the matter as Therapy Stores is considered a formula business and some downtown merchants say they are concerned it will take business from them. “Regardless of what we do there will be an appeal,” said Planning Commissioner Michael Frenn at Tuesday’s commission meeting. An appeal had not yet been filed as of press time Thursday. The topic was also discussed during the Nov. 17 Planning Commission meeting during which local business owners said Therapy Stores carries many of the same items they sell, adding
“Formula business at this level versus formula business at the Taco Bell level — those seem to be two very different things.” — Michael Frenn, Placerville planning commissioner a formula business would be a detriment to them. Others calling into that meeting said they just don’t want formula businesses in downtown Placerville. Businesses with more than five identical locations are considered formula businesses — Therapy Stores has 11 storefronts in places like Livermore, Folsom, San Francisco and Portland, Ore. For a formula business to open in the Central n
See Therapy Stores, page A6
Snowline CEO 3 months in Dawn Hodson Staff writer
Mountain Democrat photos by Kevin Christensen
DJ Norm Hammond makes sure holiday music fills the air as shoppers descend on downtown Placerville Saturday. Hammond will be posted beneath the Bell Tower, keeping the festive tunes playing every Saturday through December.
’Tis the season to shop
small businesses
Kevin Christensen Staff writer
D
owntown Placerville merchants had their version of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday last weekend. It has not been business as usual for most merchants with the
COVID-19 pandemic crippling small businesses and a surge in virus cases leading to heavier restrictions. Nevertheless shoppers spent the weekend supporting local businesses and cashing in on holiday deals. Folsom resident Stacey Johnson made her way to Placerville Saturday. “I had no idea they were having
Small Business Saturday but was coming anyway because I love the shops up here on Main Street and it was a win-win because I got Christmas gifts for some great deals,” she said. Staff at one of Placerville’s longtime standing businesses, Placerville Hardware, saw solid customer traffic. Owner Albert Fausel said he thinks the COVID-19 health crisis may have made a dent in sales. “Friday was decent and there were a lot of people Saturday but I think the pandemic and new restrictions kept some away,” Fausel said. “We do appreciate as much support as we can get these days.” Fausel offered 10% discounts over the weekend on Christmas tree stands and holiday lights (an offer he will continue). He said some of the traffic was a result of people traveling for Christmas trees at local farms. “A lot of people stop in Placerville after getting their tree because of traffic and they want the ambiance of the holidays, which we offer here in
Shoppers fill the sidewalks along Main Street in Placerville on Small Business Saturday.
$1,000
CASH BACK!
Financing with 1.49%APR and
n
On the job for three months now, Snowline Hospice’s new CEO Timothy Meadows met with the Mountain Democrat Monday where he outlined different ways the organization Tim Meadows is improving on what it does with more than 200 patients in its hospice and caregiver program. Currently he said Snowline Hospice has several initiatives under way to modernize and simplify work for the staff so it can focus on the patients and “work at a higher level.” Meadows said his staff deserves all the credit and recognition for what the organization is able to accomplish. Meadows is also focused on keeping the organization financially viable through its three retail outlets and a recycling/ processing center. “We took a big hit with COVID but there are so many generous people in our county and goods are still flying in,” he said. That hit, he explained, not only affected shoppers being able to visit its retail outlets but the availability of volunteers to help those in hospice care or to volunteer in stores. Some of those volunteers are waiting for a COVID-19 vaccine before being active again. Always looking to bring in more revenue to fund its operations, Meadows said Snowline is now accepting vehicle donations. Snowline has an eBay site now as well, which he thinks will widen its reach and help sell higher-priced items. “That donation money all goes toward supporting programs to remain viable in challenging times for healthcare programs,” he said. With education being an ongoing part of what Snowline does, he noted many people don’t know what hospice is, adding that an individual has to have a terminal condition to qualify for hospice care and people can also refer themselves or someone else for care. We can come in and see if a patient qualifies for hospice or supportive care and then coordinate with their healthcare provider, he explained, with such care giving family members a break along with skilled clinical support. “The whole goal is to enhance the
See Shop small, page A7
n
See Meadows, page A7
One call can save you thousands
ZERO
Out Of Pocket!
(530) 344-3237 • 4420 Commodity Way, Suite A, Shingle Springs • info@SolarSavingsDirect.com • solarsavingsdirect.com Call (530) 344-5000 for convenient home delivery and free online access to www.mtdemocrat.com