Phat Flavors, a good little restaurant in San Manuel, has closed its doors after 18 months in business (on top of another 18 months of planning and remodeling). Phat is selling off kitchen equipment on Facebook and elsewhere. Kaz and I are sorry about that. We shared really good meals there and liked the owners who were trying to make a go of it. San Manuel is sometimes described as a “dying town”, even by folks who live there. The arrival of Phat Flavors raised hopes for a more vigorous community revival.
As we drive up and down American Avenue in Oracle, we have a renewed appreciation for the businesses we have here. In fact we patronize many of them so we have a personal interest in their success. It’s easy to check on how they’re doing by observing the number of cars parked in their lots during business hours, not to mention talking with owners, employees, and customers.
Some have been around a long time - in fact, since we moved here over four decades ago. Having survived the Magma excecution by BHP, the covid epidemic, and sundry other challenges that come with the territory, their longevity is impressive. Others were established in the last few years.
The Phat Flavors closure reminds us that running a small business is hard as hell - not only in Oracle but just about everywhere. The owners have to work their butts off with odds never in their favor. Unlike some of their occasionally tardy employees, owner/operators have to be in place at the right time with the right attitude, 24-7. Plus they have to constantly reinvent what they do to adapt to changing customer preferences and economic circumstances.
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To say Oracle businesses matter a lot to the town is a radical understatement. The drive to Tucson has become a nightmare that burns time and money. (And what’s the point when you can often get the same quality products and service right here at home?)
Here are two examples. Kaz and I have three older vehicles. The newest has 247,000 miles on it. All three require maintenance and repairs, some of which may be major. Dealership visits break the bank, both in terms of money and time. We’ve been doing business with Oracle Auto Repair since we moved here.
Back then Leonard Letwak was the owner. We learned from experience that Oracle Auto can fix things that flummox Tucson dealers. One front end fix estimated by a Tucson shop was $900. It cost $150 out the door at Oracle Auto Repair. Really! And when Spencer, Kyle or Marcos himself says something needs to be done (replacing a cracked serpentine belt, for example) we trust they’re right and go for it. Try that in Tucson… if you dare.
We drive by Quality Paint and Body all the time on Highway 77. It never occurred to us to see if they could fix an incredibly irritating problem with our 2005 Volvo. We dreaded taking it to Tucson so we put up with the grinding noise of tire on plastic for years. One day I thought, “What the hell, maybe Quality can do it.” So I pull in, ask at the service desk, and minutes later one of the owners pops out to evaluate the problem. Turns out he knows exactly what parts are needed, can order them ASAP, and make the fix in a day or two when they arrive. Problem solved for way less than half the cost and a full day of drop off/wait at a Tucson dealership.
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When you stop to think about it local businesses encourage local fellowship. Customers chatting at the service counter at Oracle Auto Repair or shopping at the Patio Cafe Market fosters relationships. Sometimes face-on like at the Ore House, Sue and Jerry Parra’s Farmer’s Market, the Way of Bean Coffee Club, Annie’s Hair Studio, and Casa Rivera’s. The bottom line is local businesses, doing business, are community builders. Taking that for granted is a big mistake. Just ask the owners and customers of Phat Flavors in San Manuel.
Really sorry to hear that San Manuel has lost Phat Flavours, really seemed like a hopeful step!