INSIDE THE DECEMBER 2022 ISSUE: Poco Diablo Presents Willows Kitchen p. 3 Candle Business Offers Scents of the Season p. 4 Laura Cruz Brings Creativity to Businesses p. 8
Little Tigers Mark Their First Birthday p. 11 Babbitt Ranches Helping NASA Reach New Frontiers p. 14 Large Animal Shelter Seeks Support p. 22
Former City Hall to Become Site for Proposed Prescott Common T
By Ray Newton, QCBN
he winning bid of $2.5 million submitted by Stroh Architecture won that firm the right to buy the land and submit a redevelopment plan that proposes a five-story building with a restaurant, hotel and apartment space. The project currently is called Prescott Common.
The firm was selected unanimously by the Prescott City Council Tuesday, Oct. 18. Since then, Principal Architect Douglas Stroh and company representatives have met several times with city officials and other parties for discussions about how the redevelopment will be planned and implemented. Located on prime property in downtown Prescott at the corner
of Cortez and Goodwin Street, the 1.3-acre parcel is designed to contain a 20,000-square-foot hotel with 100 hotel suites and 50 apartment units on the top two floors. The proposal also includes some underground parking. Stroh said he hopes to integrate into the new design the existing historic rearing horse and cowboy statue that currently is showcased in front of the former City Hall building.
The existing structure, built in 1962, will be demolished. Born in Millard, Nebraska, Stroh attended the University of Nebraska, where he earned a degree in architecture. For 32 years, the resident architect has worked in the Prescott area. He also has served on the Prescott Preservation Commission. His local efforts have included the expansion of the Prescott Public Library, the Prescott Adult Cen-
Continued on page 39
Arizona Family Jewelry Business Announces the End of an Era Raskin’s Jewelers closing soon in Prescott
T Greg and Renee Raskin are managing their “Going Out of Business” sale through the holidays at Raskin’s Jewelers in downtown Prescott. Photo by Kay Lyons
December 2022 | Issue 12 Volume 10
PRIOLA PRIMARY CARE AND CONCIERGE 1951 Commerce Center Circle Suite B, Prescott, AZ 928.778.0626 www.priolaprimarycare.com
By Ray Newton, QCBN
he entire stock of Raskin’s Jewelers is being liquidated. That’s not just diamonds and other precious stones, or men’s and women’s premium watches; it’s also fixtures, furniture, cabinets, engraving equipment, laser welder – everything in the building – ending a 76-year era in Arizona with the closure of one of Prescott’s premier downtown businesses. Greg Raskin, the affable owner of Raskin’s Jewelers, told Quad Cities Business News, “You know, I can’t begin to tell you how many people have told me things like, ‘My grandparents got their engagement and wedding rings at Raskin’s. My parents got theirs there, too. And so did we.’” Raskin’s grandfather, Melvin Raskin, came to Arizona after World War II and opened the family’s first jewelry store at Central and
Adams in downtown Phoenix. “My father, Lynn Raskin, moved to Prescott in 1963, where he opened a store in what was then Park Plaza Shopping Center on Goodwin Street,” said Greg. “Over the years, my family has operated stores in four different locations in Prescott, but our now historic location is smack-dab across the street from the Courthouse Plaza on Gurley. Been there since the late ‘60s.” Following the holiday liquidation sales, Greg and his wife, Renee, will close the doors one last time. “Now, absolutely everything is for sale, and the bargains will be unbelievable,” he said. More than $4 million in merchandise is on sale, some at discounts of up to 70% off. All sales are final. Noted Western artist and sculptor Bill Nebecker and his wife, Merry, talk about how much the Raskins have helped with charitable Continued on page 39
PRIOLA PRIMARY CARE Putting Your Health Needs First Is Accepting New Patients!