INSIDE THE FEBRUARY 2021 ISSUE: Saving for Education p.3 Billie Orr Leaving the Quad Cities p.4 Arizona Physicians Joining Healthcare Network p.6
Ex-Wrangler Features Grand Life on Canvas p. 8 New Hilton Answering Demand p.10 Community Profile: Marlboro Man Ed Forbis is the Real Deal p. 12
Thriving Outdoors Businesses that promote interaction with nature receiving a shot in the arm through the pandemic
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By Stan Bindell, QCBN
ocal businesses that celebrate the outdoors are reporting noteworthy successes. Jay’s Bird Barn, Watters Garden Center and Hike Shack all have increased their sales in the last year and, in some ways, have done better during the pandemic than before it.
BIRD BUSINESS SOARING
Eric Moore, owner of Jay’s Bird Barn,
said the pandemic impacted his store in three major ways: a lack of inventory, an impact on employees and action from customers. He had trouble obtaining products from a variety of vendors – from binoculars to hummingbird feeders. “It has been disruptive,” he said. “There was difficulty in getting inventory and rising costs of inventory.” But, sales increased significantly, growing 18.37% in the Prescott store and 26.07% in the Flagstaff store, for
an average growth of 20.3% in the past year. Some of the birdseed flavors could not be found, so customers would buy other flavors of birdseed. Labor issues arose as employees at both his Prescott and Flagstaff stores tested positive for COVID-19, so they would stay away until they tested negative. Some employees would self-furlough. There was one point when Moore and his wife were the only ones working at the store. He said that while this worked, it was challenging.
“It takes more than two to run the store.” Several employees missed three days in a row this past month until they tested negative and could come back to work. “By the following Monday, we were back to normal. We got through it,” he said. Economically, the good news was that because so many people were sheltering in place, they turned to nature by bird watching and bird feeding Continued on page 39
Wine Tasting Like a Rock Star Tool front man and winemaker Maynard James Keenan invites guests to enjoy Verde Valley homegrown goodness By Brent Ruffner, QCBN
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Winemaker Maynard James Keenan is the owner of Cottonwood’s Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria. Courtesy photo
February 2021 | Issue 2 Volume 9
u Extensive renovations completed in October, 2020. u With the holiday season upon us, we are here to take care of your friends and family traveling to Prescott in a safe and responsible manner.
ant to experience the definition of homegrown? Cottonwood’s Merkin Vineyards Tasting Room & Osteria could be your answer. The restaurant, which opened in 2016, offers its customers an alluring experience, where everything from the pasta to the wine is made in the Verde Valley. The restaurant is located at 1001 N. Main Street, Cottonwood. Merkin Vineyards is a division of Caduceus Cellars, touted as a small, family-owned operation. Both the
u Strict Marriott International sanitization protocol is in place due to Covid-19 with masks required and social distancing procedures fully implemented. Safety modifications are in place for breakfast, fitness center and indoor pool.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Historic Downtown Prescott 200 East Sheldon, Prescott Arizona | 928-776-0998 | www.marriott.com/PRCSH
business and restaurant have sprouted nicely since the first grapevines were planted. Caduceus Cellars is owned by winemaker Maynard James Keenan, a Grammy award-winning artist and the lead singer of three bands – Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle. The Arizona brand has produced wines that have won national and international awards. The customers “get an immersive experience,” Keenan said, “one hundred percent Arizona wines paired with Arizona produce and house-made pastas, breads and gelato. Our ducks provide the eggs for our pastas and quiche.
Our greenhouses, gardens and orchards provide a significant amount of produce for our menu.” Keenan moved to Jerome in 1995, where he owns two tasting rooms and a record store. His other tasting room is located in Old Town Scottsdale. He and others help farm 110 acres in Willcox and the Verde Valley combined – a key factor in making the wine unique. “We grow our own fruit, which, in our opinion, makes a significant difference in the final result,” he said. National Sales Director Calvin Arnold says the soil in a particular region plays a big role in the end product. “I have brought winemakers here and some of them will absoContinued on page 37