Bragging Rights

MOON VALLEY MAGIC BY DEBBIE ERBSTOESSER

We have a lot going for us here in Moon Valley aside from our proximity to so many different places and things; downtown events, skiing and hiking. Specifically though we are flanked by great family owned and operated restaurants, hair salons, dry cleaners, places to exercise and more. To the south of MV at 7 th St and Thunderbird, then north of us at 7 th St and Bell and finally right in the heart of our community at 7 th St and Coral Gables.

I can and do walk to the latter one we all call ‘The Barros Shopping Center’. On one of my walks there I stopped in to almost every single business. If my boys were still in the school band I might have a use for the Woodwinds place, but they aren’t. Phoenix Nutrition is more than a Shake Shop; they do so much to help folks stay healthy. The MVP Shoe Repair owner, Johnny sings their praises for helping him lose weight. I love that we have a shoe repair so close and without cigarette smoke. Not only does he fix shoes, but all leather goods as well as alters clothing and changes watch batteries. I tried to drop off my belt to get another hole poked in it, but he did it on the spot, no charge. I’m so glad that Mamma Toledo’s Pie Hole has stayed open, because it took me forever to get in there. I thought it was only pies and I’m trying not to have sugar. However, once I tasted her pot pies it was all over. It’s an amazing place. We went there for breakfast one day after church and it was amazing. When we return from a road trip, I pop in for our dinner, because I am not cooking after driving all day. I appreciate a little sign they post asking that if we have cash to please use it instead of a credit card because the processing fees they had to pay last year were $6,144.85! I had no idea and am more than happy to pay with cash if it will help keep our little mom and pop businesses in MV here. Gary got a great massage at Compliments, another locally owned salon. We’ve use Moon Valley Dry Cleaners for our leather jackets. Gary hasn’t tried the Barbershop since it closed and reopened yet. The Moon Valley Grill has the best wings and some of our friends have a standing date there for drinks and fellowship every week. Barros is family owned and an institution in Moon Valley. They hire our kids and support our teams and clubs. Valleywide Pool Supply is owned by a biochemist. Richard is a super nice guy. When Gary pops in to shop he’s always there so long visiting that I’m worried he got lost! To be fair, I stopped in at Yoga Pura even though I’m not a huge yoga fan. I’ve always been impressed by their signage that Veterans are free because they’ve already paid enough, but was even more so, because I had no idea how extensive their place is. They have 3 separate yoga rooms with classes running simultaneously! No wonder the parking lot is so packed sometimes. I also visited Moon Valley Bible Church one Sunday. They had a great message and wonderful music. Last on the strip is Anytime Fitness. I love it there. I know that most reputable places like the Pilate Studio clean their equipment after each use, but at AF there are sanitizing wipe stations scattered in several places around the gym. In addition to their daily custodian team, members wipe off the equipment before and after themselves all day and night! The personal training classes are exceptional, but I also like to do my own workout, channeling my knowledge from running a fitness center in the ‘80s and teaching aerobics. It’s been fun challenging myself and coming up with new and varied routines. It’s invigorating and makes me crave being there.

I like to support local family owned businesses, even though I also frequent other nearby big box stores as well. Today I was reading a ‘Next Door’ post about local eateries and was shocked that the person didn’t know how many we have! The Aiello’s own three yummy places at 7 th St and Thunderbird, we frequent them a lot. They are near Second Home Pet Resort. What a great service right here close to home, with daycare, boarding and grooming. On the same SE corner is Wild Tuna and across the street; Candy’s Kitchen, a Pho place, Soup and Sausage, Il Asilyo and Moon Valley Café. I just found out about Yutaka by Hobby Lobby at 7 th St and Bell that makes great sushi rolls and further up 7 th St on Union Hills there’s a Mexican place I didn’t know about called Mi Pueblo! Dolled and Dapper by the Dairy Queen just opened 10 months ago and the ladies are masters with hair. That’s my new place. I also learned that Red Devil Pizza is locally owned! I’m sure that there are many more places to eat and patronize that are locally owned and operated. I’m going to take a drive around one of these days when it warms up and I can have the top down and see what I can see.

In these trying times, we need to support each other and the economy. I’ll be making another trip to see Johnny at MVP shoe repair. I need another hole in my belt and this time I insist on paying!