Empire Store Closed

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 4:50 pm

Happened sometime in October 08. Had something to do about a beef between the owner and manager. So, if you go to BM in 09 and come from I80, as of now, you need to stop in Fernley, Wadsworth, or Nixon if you need last minute things or to top off your tank etc. Brunos in Gerlach is still open.

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 4:59 pm

OK I'm confused. This post seems to say that the Empire Store had RE-OPENED.

http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic. ... 2&start=60

JK

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:12 pm

A guy at work went camping on his property north of Gerlach. He attends BM every year. I'll talk to him on Monday the 1st and ask what the status is. As far as that post about it reopening goes, I did'nt know that was posted so I apologize offfffennnded you by posting what I posted.

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:14 pm

wasn't offended or off-ended for that matter. just curious.

JK

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:39 pm

If it re-opened and I hope it did, I'm just as tickled as the next "person." When we go four-wheelin to Soldier meadows or to the petrified forest area, that store is always a stop for us as is Brunos. I usually don't stop there when going to or from BM. Again, I hope it re-opens, if it has'nt done so already.

lonestoner916 · Post by **lonestoner916** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:48 pm

I assure you, they're open.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:53 pm

OK this is like the 8th or 9th thread about this store.. it's gettin a lil old people.

The store was supposedly reopened after all the BS with the help of the burner community.

Lonestoner was a dogsend to help em out.

Are you telling us NOW that you RECENTLY saw that this store was CLOSED again?

This AFTER the owners came here almost BEGGING for our help to get them open since this store was so important to the locals..

And in closing.. why in the fuck is this in share resources?

jcoffy · Post by **jcoffy** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:37 pm

They are most definitely OPEN. I called them and talked to Phylis Day ( I believe that was her last name). Her and her husband are the owners of the Empire Store. She told me that she was surprised to hear that they were closed. But she did tell me that they were OPEN and working hard to be ready for all the burners this year.

It seems that they had leased the place out to a guy to run and take care of the store for about 10 years. He failed to do so. When they asked him to leave he refused. Then they evicted him. He trashed the place in return. They have since assumed control of the store and are getting ready for all of us.

I got her permission to post this on the board. THEY CAN'T WAIT TO SEE US!!! They are really trying to hold on till August. So there. This should finalize this argument. Of course you could always look up the number and give Phylis a call yourself. She would probably be happy to hear from you. She is a super sweet older lady that totally reminded me of my own Grandma. Take care....see you in 200 days.

Post by **Sham** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:03 pm

YES, YES, YES, they are infact open and have been since November. They are caught in that proverbial catch 22 of not having the store well stocked because there is not much business, and not having much business because the store is not well stocked.
It will take quite a bit of nerve and investment to have the store fully functional to get it back to where it was before it was ransacked at the end of September.
I can fully understand why the owners don't want to dip into their savings to pump lots of cash into a distressed business during this crappy economy. I only hope that the anticipation of the BM crowd will give them the courage and confidence to bring the store back to the viable entity it once was.
I SEND THE OWNERS OF THE EMPIRE STORE MY BEST WISHES IN GETTING THINGS THRIVING AGAIN!

mykidsdaddy · Post by **mykidsdaddy** » Wed May 13, 2009 7:42 pm

Just to confirm...Yes we are open daily! We are there from 8:00AM til 7:00PM. We had a lot of help, along with a ton of well wishers...
Like Shambala said, we are trying to get this thing stocked and ready for BM09. Business is improving as the weather improves. There are still big problems...the walk-in coolers are still inop! We dont have the compressors but more importantly, the doors to ALL walk-ins were taken by the tennant.

We are still trying to get the doors from him but he is holding them "hostage". It seems he wants the sign faces that are in the service station pole sign.
the Welcome to Nowhere and Have a Safe Trip.

We are trying to find a way to get them down but it is going to take a manlift or bucket truck. Way too heavy to do it from an extension ladder. It would be very unsafe and this is a loooooong way from a hospital! LOL!!!

thanks again to all who are reading! jcoffy, what you said about my mother-in-law is dead on! She is the sweetest!

Shambala you mentioned reluctance to pull from savings...My in-laws have DEPLETED their savings trying to get this Store situation straightened out. The majority of the $$$ went to lawyers...the rest to fixing up and the initial stocking.

At this point, it's day to day.

mykidsdaddy · Post by **mykidsdaddy** » Wed May 13, 2009 7:44 pm

Just to confirm...Yes we are open daily! We are there from 8:00AM til 7:00PM. We had a lot of help, along with a ton of well wishers...
Like Shambala said, we are trying to get this thing stocked and ready for BM09. Business is improving as the weather improves. There are still big problems...the walk-in coolers are still inop! We dont have the compressors but more importantly, the doors to ALL walk-ins were taken by the tennant.

We are still trying to get the doors from him but he is holding them "hostage". It seems he wants the sign faces that are in the service station pole sign.
the Welcome to Nowhere and Have a Safe Trip.

We are trying to find a way to get them down but it is going to take a manlift or bucket truck. Way too heavy to do it from an extension ladder. It would be very unsafe and this is a loooooong way from a hospital! LOL!!!

thanks again to all who are reading! jcoffy, what you said about my mother-in-law is dead on! She is the sweetest!

Shambala you mentioned reluctance to pull from savings...My in-laws have DEPLETED their savings trying to get this Store situation straightened out. The majority of the $$$ went to lawyers...the rest to fixing up and the initial stocking.

At this point, it's day to day.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed May 13, 2009 7:46 pm

can you post a pic and or description of "the sign"?

some of us are pretty ingenious...........especially at getting things "down".........

**elling spedit**

mykidsdaddy · Post by **mykidsdaddy** » Wed May 13, 2009 7:56 pm

Thanks for the reply ygmir! The sign is in the pic I posted in Shrek Needs a Home thread. It's a double faced pole approx. 20+ feet frm the ground. Although the faces don't look that large...they are probably about a full 4'X8'. Probably 1/4 in. plexiglass.

Post by **Sham** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:21 pm

Why in the world would you have to get the landmark sign down and give it to the guy who tried to destroy the business? If he has the doors to the freezers, he should give them back at this point, and stop his games. If you are forced to get the sign down to give it to him, may I suggest that it be given to him by shoving it up his ass!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:28 pm

mykidsdaddy wrote:Thanks for the reply ygmir! The sign is in the pic I posted in Shrek Needs a Home thread. It's a double faced pole approx. 20+ feet frm the ground. Although the faces don't look that large...they are probably about a full 4'X8'. Probably 1/4 in. plexiglass.

does anyone out there have scaffolding? or, lumber to build same?
you could anchor to the pole for stability.......
Phone or power company line truck going by?

I've got a 40' crane, but, it'd be cost prohibitive to haul out there, I'd imagine...........

a large loader from one of the mines?

a backhoe with extend-a-hoe? or, you could attach the pole to a loader or backhoe and cut the pole and lower the whole unit...........

just some thoughts........

Thecatman · Post by **Thecatman** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:50 pm

Are you wanting to take just the sign or the pole too? The reason I ask is because it look like there's power lines going to the pole. I have a picture of some of our trucks parked in front of the store when we did a chip-seal on 447 about five or six years ago.

mykidsdaddy · Post by **mykidsdaddy** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:59 pm

We just need to pull the sign faces. The pole and sign framework belong to us. The previous tennant had these two faces made and he wants them back.
I work at the plant here...using their equip. is forbidden by the Chicago Corp.

I thought about a skip loader and having two guys in the bucket. All I have to do is find a local guy with a skip loader handy...

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu May 14, 2009 9:35 am

I know that DPW uses those sorts of equipment. The questions then become: Do they have them year round, or are they just rentals?
Are they willing to use them in this manner?

LostinReno · Post by **LostinReno** » Thu May 14, 2009 12:11 pm

mykidsdaddy wrote:We just need to pull the sign faces. The pole and sign framework belong to us. The previous tennant had these two faces made and he wants them back.
I work at the plant here...using their equip. is forbidden by the Chicago Corp.

I thought about a skip loader and having two guys in the bucket. All I have to do is find a local guy with a skip loader handy...

Hrmmm, I do have a burner friend that is in the sign biz in Lockwood. Would he take replacement signs or is he being a complete jackass and wants "those" signs? (either way, we take his signs out we have the means to replace them, just not the means to physically get them down/up) I can't believe he wants to take away an Empire icon. What a douchebag! Let me fire off an email and see what she can do and for how much.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Thu May 14, 2009 1:16 pm

why don't you give him 30 days to remove them (with a bond or such required in case he damages anything on your property or takes something that doesn't belong to him), put the hassle on him, and if he doesn't get it done within the 30 days, he has abandoned them.

A certified letter ought to do it....

(of course I am not a Lawyer so you are getting what you paid for this advice!)

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu May 14, 2009 1:25 pm

I think that would just piss him off worse and then they definately wouldn't get thier freezer doors that he is holding for ransom.

Kinetik V · Post by **Kinetik V** » Thu May 14, 2009 2:41 pm

Perhaps the local and regional media that covered the battle and subsequent reopening of the store would be interested in learning about this latest act of sabotage by the former owner? Maybe it's also time to create a Twitter account and not only start spreading awareness of the store being reopened with new owners to burners that way, but a few well written tweets can get the media's attention...I would know, I do it a couple times per week now out here in Colorado.

Long story short, the previous owner is a dick who obviously is not going to stop until he's tried every act of sabotage he can possibly dream up. Fight back with every tool at your disposal, and if it's free and only requires a few minutes of time to setup and then use...why not? And if drawing on the good will you have generated to open the store cuts this guy's sabotage attempt off....I know I'd do it. Again...these ideas may not appeal to you, but it beats doing nothing and letting this idiot haul down all the hard work you're putting into this place.

I hope the sign stays or if it goes that you can get a better one...perhaps a new one backlit with El-Wire for that neon look or a more energy efficient lighting source as a bonus.

I'll shut up now but damn this seriously pisses me off! </soapbox>

Sail Man · Post by **Sail Man** » Thu May 14, 2009 2:55 pm

Who in the burner community has the capabilities to make a new sign? Give dickhead his sign back, and make a new and improved one...

mastermtn · Post by **mastermtn** » Thu May 14, 2009 3:07 pm

Thecatman wrote:Happened sometime in October 08. Had something to do about a beef between the owner and manager. So, if you go to BM in 09 and come from I80, as of now, you need to stop in Fernley, Wadsworth, or Nixon if you need last minute things or to top off your tank etc. Brunos in Gerlach is still open.

\

Cindy (at the Empire store) said guy who owned it before destoryed
it but they reopened in NOv 08 and plan to be open for fall and beyond and
do not plan to close...
R

775-557-2311

LostinReno · Post by **LostinReno** » Thu May 14, 2009 3:40 pm

Sail Man wrote:Who in the burner community has the capabilities to make a new sign? Give dickhead his sign back, and make a new and improved one...

My camp mate has PM'd him a message about replacement signage! Wooot!

I will even drive said sign to it's destination for free if thats what it takes.

LostinReno · Post by **LostinReno** » Thu May 14, 2009 3:44 pm

Kinetic V wrote:I hope the sign stays or if it goes that you can get a better one...perhaps a new one backlit with El-Wire for that neon look or a more energy efficient lighting source as a bonus.

I'll shut up now but damn this seriously pisses me off! </soapbox>

I don't know if you read the "Shrek needs a home thread" but apparently the same ass hat upgraded the gas pumps to be computerized then took the computer when he left. Why on earth would you do that?? Other than to be an ass? Ugggh! Maybe that is why donkey is missing!

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Thu May 14, 2009 5:23 pm

To reach 20' off the ground you might try a box truck or RV that you can stand on the roof. You might need to put something on the roof to stand on, get another 3 feet.

Good luck with the store.

Post by **Sham** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:59 pm

That sign has become a landmark. I would take a nice sharp photo of the sign and have new panels made and replace them with the same exact ones. That ought to really piss off that dickhead!

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Thu May 14, 2009 7:09 pm

Shambala wrote:That sign has become a landmark. I would take a nice sharp photo of the sign and have new panels made and replace them with the same exact ones. That ought to really piss off that dickhead!

Better yet, keep the signs and get new fridge doors....

what is the brand and model number of your freezers?

how many do you have that need doors?

mykidsdaddy · Post by **mykidsdaddy** » Thu May 14, 2009 7:45 pm

I was up at the service station measuring, and it is 20 ft to the bottom of the sign. I may have a way to get them down in the next day or so. I have some overhead electrical work that needs to be done and I think I can pull the faces then. WHEW!!!
I was measuring because the box truck sounded like a good idea. We have a box truck but it is only 10ft off the ground add a step ladder to the equation and that would still be pretty unsafe.

I am 90% certain I have the pulling part solved. Lost in Reno's friend and I just got off the phone and I told him exactly what Shambala said...we are going to duplicate the "Welcome to Nowhere" face AND I am going to repair the internal illumination on the sign so these new faces will be visible from a long ways out at night!

The walk-in refers and freezer were built around the same time as the store...I believe Moby Dick was a minnow when that happened!!!
If worse comes to worse...we probably will have to have custom doors made. I couldn't even imagine there being a stock size door just "sitting on a shelf" ANYWHERE! Maybe if we don't get the doors back, we COULD find stock size doors and change our opening to match the new doors.
Alot of options...alot of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Empire Store Closed

Empire Store Closed

The Empire Store is ABSOLUTELY OPEN!!!

Re: Empire Store Closed