Empire Store AND Gasoline Station ARE OPEN!!!

Post by **AntiM** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:18 pm

There's quite a crowd on the short bus this year.

I do see the concern. I get it. We could stop now if everything has been said.

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:36 pm

AntiM wrote:There's quite a crowd on the short bus this year.

I do see the concern. I get it. We could stop now if everything has been said.

There is every year, thats what makes it so much fun

Where would be the fun in that?
Wait till after the burn.

I still a cranky, htere is DWP out building shit right now and where am I?
Stuck HERE.....

I see the lights of the BRC EVERY NIGHT, but have to behave myself....
fuck

z276 · Post by **z276** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:15 pm

Did we ever find out the hours of operation for the Empire store? And, will there be any Olympia cans and/or Hamm's?
Also, water. Will there be water there? Thanks.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:28 pm

I called a little while ago and I was told that right now they open at 8:00am and close around 7:00pm. They are talking about extending the hours as it gets closer to BM. I suggested they consider staying open all night sunday 8-30-09 and they said they will talk about it.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:52 pm

It would definitely behoove them to be open that night. There's a ton of money to be made.

z276 · Post by **z276** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:06 pm

But what about the Hamm's?

Post by **Elderberry** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:20 pm

dvd-r wrote:Are you offering free burgers or are you selling your shit here? We have given you all that we should! This is eplaya, respect us please

Leave these people alone you old troll.

JK

mykidsdaddy · Post by **mykidsdaddy** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:30 pm

Hi folks!~ Sorry so long to reply...been puttin in alot of hours fixing the place up.
OK...
Hours for the store are going to be...

From now til Opening Day...8:00AM til at LEAST an hour after the sunsets! That will be around 9:00. We will push the hours later as demand increases. Right now...there's hardly anybody coming! We had the Playa Commisary ladies in here at 8:00PM exactly tonight. They had just finished feeding around 300 people out there on the Playa! They looked beat! Upbeat as well though!!! LOL!!! I asked how late the crew out there works and whether a full hour after dark would be enough so they could come over and re-stock and she told me it would probably be fine!
I told her to spread the word.
If the store is busy we won't close it on you! We aren't tied to a time clock! My wife and daughter just said..."If we have to sit there and wait an hour with no customers...it's closing!
I am laughing inside...thinking, they will be begging for an hour with no customers soon!!!

Hamms and Oly...hmmmm I will ask!

We got some really cool bumper stickers from the girl who had them made...

Pabst Blue Ribbon...The beer that waters the Playa!
Done to look exactly like the Pabst Logo! Nice!!!

Water is here! Ice is coming! Gas delivery will be here in 2 days (Friday). Probably a few more deliveries from what I hear...last year there were 32,000 gallons delivered during the event!

I have been working at my job by day and here on refrigeration and other things til late, late at night. Tired just doesn't quite describe the feeling!

I saw the posts bagging on me for just trying to make a buck and really appreciate those who replied on my behalf.

I really really want this to go well for both halves of this equation! I would rather ask and be told first hand by the people who HAVE lived thru a week out there... rather than try to guess what would be good to have on hand!

The big announcement re: 1000 Cases of Pabst Blue Ribbon...I did this because I was told that several of BMORG had been in the store PRIOR to our order being placed and THEY seemed genuinely CONCERNED that we wouldn't have it!

We were telling people all along...We can't stock too much too early...alot of things would expire and others would just sit on the shelf! That would tie up funds that are needed to purchase other things and to get the refrigeration repaired. So...as we get closer to the event...more and more of the items you people have suggested, will be showing up on the shelves.

Another thing...I am NOT some piece of shit that would pretend to be your friend just to get your money! Karma seems to have a way with people like that!
Sure I want to sell you stuff. It will make us both happy! But the friendship thing...if you're an asshat...I wouldn't want either your money OR friendship! Life is too short! Most of the people who have joined in this thread have been very friendly and are welcome here to share a cold beer or whatever anytime! I would be glad to "Gift" them a cold drink! They have "Gifted" me with open hearts and keyboards and shared information and insight.
To the newcomers who think I am here to just to make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$... the short bus awaits! Read and see! I have already met several people who post here and I would love to meet more!

Any more ???

z276 · Post by **z276** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:47 pm

You sir are a friend to me!
Thank you for being here for the burning man community. And with such an open heart too! I will be spending most of my money with you. Thanks again.

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:47 pm

Short bus, short bus, whatcha gonna do?

Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

stormfeather · Post by **stormfeather** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:55 pm

Hi there, my husband an I come from Oregon and Empire isn't on our usual route coming in from the North, but you sound so nice, I'd like to stop in a meet you anyway!

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:02 am

mykidsdaddy wrote: I saw the posts bagging on me for just trying to make a buck and really appreciate those who replied on my behalf.

Not bagging you, glad your open. You will have one hell of a couple weeks. But, this is also commerce. On that point is really isn't even about YOU. Its about US, and what the eplayans want on this forum.

mykidsdaddy wrote:Another thing...I am NOT some piece of shit that would pretend to be your friend just to get your money! Karma seems to have a way with people like that!

Yep, it does.

mykidsdaddy wrote:Sure I want to sell you stuff. It will make us both happy!

Wrong, here is not the place for it.

mykidsdaddy wrote:But the friendship thing...if you're an asshat...I wouldn't want either your money OR friendship! Life is too short! Most of the people who have joined in this thread have been very friendly and are welcome here to share a cold beer or whatever anytime! I would be glad to "Gift" them a cold drink! They have "Gifted" me with open hearts and keyboards and shared information and insight.
To the newcomers who think I am here to just to make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$... the short bus awaits! Read and see! I have already met several people who post here and I would love to meet more!
Any more ???

You will meet a lot of really neat people, just leave work at work.

Post by **Sham** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:44 am

mykidsdaddy wrote:
Another thing...I am NOT some piece of shit that would pretend to be your friend just to get your money! Karma seems to have a way with people like that!
Sure I want to sell you stuff. It will make us both happy! But the friendship thing...if you're an asshat...I wouldn't want either your money OR friendship! Life is too short! Most of the people who have joined in this thread have been very friendly and are welcome here to share a cold beer or whatever anytime! I would be glad to "Gift" them a cold drink! They have "Gifted" me with open hearts and keyboards and shared information and insight.
To the newcomers who think I am here to just to make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$... the short bus awaits! Read and see! I have already met several people who post here and I would love to meet more!

Any more ???

What a shame you find yourself on the defensive here. Hold your head high my friend. You have worked yourself beyond the point of falling flat on your face to bring a devastated business back from it's destroyed condition to where it is today. You will be providing food and other much needed provisions to a hungry and needy group of festival goers.

Your gift is your extreme effort and dedication to making this come together by this target date. Your offer of a cold drink is very nice, but the bank of porta-potties outside the store is always a nice relief after my long ride from Reno. I will buy my own drink from you and will happily buy you a drink for all you have done.

As far as your statement "I am NOT some piece of shit that would pretend to be your friend just to get your money". Why not, Walmart does it all the time. This is not a popularity contest. You are running a business and you are not doing it for the love of humanity. It's capitalism and that's why we all (well most of us) go to work every day. Don't be ashamed of this. Our gift to you is the influx of business to give this store the jumpstart it needs to get back up and thriving again.

After seeing this thing play out first hand, from being there at the destruction of the store at the end of September, to the rebirth and restock, it will be my pleasure just to shake your hand and do some shopping.

The next month is going to be crazy for you, but as you lay your head on your pillow every night, I hope you have the satisfaction of knowing that you, your family and staff have done more for this community (Empire, Gerlach and the BM crowd) than most people have.

Thanks! Now go sell a can of ravioli or something dammit!

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:57 am

Pabst Blue Ribbon...The beer that waters the Playa!
Done to look exactly like the Pabst Logo! Nice!!!

Isn't this exactly what we fight against! Could that instead read.

Pabst Blue Ribbon...The beer that waters BLACK ROCK CITY, BURNING MAN BROUGHT TO YOU BY PABST!

mykidsdaddy wrote: Another thing...I am NOT some piece of shit that would pretend to be your friend just to get your money! Karma seems to have a way with people like that!
Sure I want to sell you stuff. It will make us both happy! But the friendship thing...if you're an asshat...I wouldn't want either your money OR friendship! Life is too short! Most of the people who have joined in this thread have been very friendly and are welcome here to share a cold beer or whatever anytime! I would be glad to "Gift" them a cold drink! They have "Gifted" me with open hearts and keyboards and shared information and insight.
To the newcomers who think I am here to just to make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$... the short bus awaits! Read and see! I have already met several people who post here and I would love to meet more!

Any more ???

It seems like you only post here, and only are friendly, when it helps your business.

Sure I want to sell you stuff

in violation of this sites tos

I am a business owner and I offer to burners a free place to camp and water. I have been allowed to post about my offer and business because I have no intention of making any money off of burners. Burners know for sure that my feeling towards them have nothing to do with money.

To the newcomers who think I am here to just to make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$..

If you are not posting to draw in business to sale your wares, then why are you posting. (I bet this question goes unaswered)

If you wanted to be part of the communtiy why don't you do something to help, like post about the weather or something OTHER THEN YOUR BUSINESS. (like me)

As you know daddy, a lot of us have tried to help you get your store open and running. As has been pointed out, you are now advertising here. The post obove where you say.

Pabst Blue Ribbon...The beer that waters the Playa!
Done to look exactly like the Pabst Logo! Nice!!!

Water is here! Ice is coming! Gas delivery will be here in 2 days (Friday). Probably a few more deliveries from what I hear...last year there were 32,000 gallons delivered during the event!

I have been working at my job by day and here on refrigeration and other things til late, late at night. Tired just doesn't quite describe the feeling!

I saw the posts bagging on me for just trying to make a buck and really appreciate those who replied on my behalf.

your only interest in eplaya is that you sell your products.

Below you show that you are not inclusive and you will not treat all burners the same. I have tried to help you, with your search for display cases, (which I really could have used a couple for my clubhouse, store) and other suggestions and help with your issues in opening and running the store.

I wonder if you would have been able to open without the help from here. No one is saying you have to offer all burners a beer, (although when you say some can't have a beer, it shows something) Just don't promote your business HERE.

Most of the people who have joined in this thread have been very friendly and are welcome here to share a cold beer or whatever anytime! I would be glad to "Gift" them a cold drink! They have "Gifted" me with open hearts and keyboards and shared information and insight.
To the newcomers who think I am here to just to make $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$... the short bus awaits! Read and see! I have already met several people who post here and I would love to meet more!

and finally, you had an opportunity to help a burner and get good will if you had used Gary to make your signage, instead you saved a couple bucks but in my opinion you showed what really matters to you and it is not Burners. (now thats not your fault, you just don't get it)

So, either we get Bruno's, Joe's gerlach, Wadsworth gas station and bar, Nixon business, paiute indiansn all get to advertise here. And I want to advertise, my rates are $XXXX per night, we have weekly and monthly rates and I really need the fucking money.

I am aware that somepeople will get pissed at me for the above and if you want to talk it out, I would be glad to.

(don't forget people Pabst, the beer that waters the playa... give me a FUCKING BREAK!!!) (ITS WRONG)

do i still get a beer or should I leave on the "short bus" How did you get thoses signs down anyway?

Deb Prothero · Post by **Deb Prothero** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:00 am

Moderators;

This seems to becoming a very hostile environment. I can see both sides but I am embarrassed by the hostility of some of the responses about commercialism.

This store was completely torn apart last fall. This family with the help of locals and burners has tried to get it back together in time for us to be able to buy necessary supplies. And it is providing a necessary service to the local community as well. They have had to build their product lines slowly and I realize this has frustrated the local community but given time, I believe this family business will make a valuable contribution.

I do understand the anti-commerce point of view here but I do not comprehend the hostility directed at this family.

There are two threads for this subject. It is the other one that is most productive for both sides - those who want to ask questions about hours, supplies, etc. and for the store owner to respond.

The only reason that the store owner continues to post in this thread is to answer the legitimate questions that burners have posed. He has made a concerted effort to be polite to also respond to the anti-commercial questions.

I would like to see this thread closed to further discussion and encourage burners with questions to post in the other thread. Hopefully those who pose questions will still have that opportunity and those who want to discuss commercialism on eplaya will start their own discussion. Then after the burn we can all welcome Andy to eplaya when he is not so bustled off his feet.

This store's situation this year is different than any other commercial venture and burners here have demonstrated that they want to support it.

The other thread's only problem is that it is difficult to find. If the title could be changed (and I don't know if that's possible), I believe it would resolve that problem.

Deb Prothero · Post by **Deb Prothero** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:04 am

As for Andy's ability to post in any other part of eplaya, I suggest that if you were working full time and also rebuilding refrigeration most of the night and raising eight children, you would be too bagged to explore eplaya and find an appropriate way to become part of the community. Possibly after the burn, Andy will have time to banter with us and join our community.

I suspect he felt that these two threads were as far as he was welcome and he didn't want to impose himself where he might not be welcome. In my opinion he has been gracious in his approach to eplaya and to the best of his ability has contributed by answering the questions we asked. I believe that he was invited here by burners.

At any rate many of us feel better knowing there will be Slim Jims, sun screen, water and beer at Empire, just in case we run out the door and forgot something.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:20 am

I am sorry if I seemed hostile but it doesn't seem fair. I don't think the thread should be closed, the discussion might have a value.

and now we got Pabst using burning man as a sales tool.

I am not trying to be mean, just calling it like I see it.

We got some really cool bumper stickers from the girl who had them made...

Pabst Blue Ribbon...The beer that waters the Playa!
Done to look exactly like the Pabst Logo! Nice!!!

Ok, lets talk about this one statement above. A "girl" gave them these bumper stickers that advertise pabst, yet she is just a "girl". What do you think her interest is in Pabst?

I say that daddyo was being a bit deceptive with that statement. The girl is probably the pabst salesperson.

Daddyo, could you please tell us about THIS GIRL and why she had Pabst bumper stickers made that uses our camping trip place as an advert?

Hey, I have no problem with us knowing the store is well stocked, open and ready for business. I have made many posts and threads about stores, gas stations being opened.

I called the Empire Store last night asked them the hours, talked to them about staying open all night opening day and I POSTED The information.

Finally, no one has to be defensive, just explain yourself if you think your opinon has a value.

I really don't see the hostility that Deb speaks of, just people having a civil discussion, and working out their differances.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:44 am

I'm not closing the thread as the discussion has progressed to the point it has merit.

The hostility is rather mild for eplaya, and I would like to remind all posters to keep it civil and go for the commerce, not the person.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:40 am

I think his posting about the current status of the Empire Store is a public service. Still needs to make the tacos not completely suck however. Though it does give me an appreciation for Indian tacos.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:12 am

Hey, I MUST throw in MY two cents here,,,

don't be hatin' the PBR.

Deb Prothero · Post by **Deb Prothero** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:27 am

wedeliver wrote: Finally, no one has to be defensive, just explain yourself if you think your opinon has a value.

I really don't see the hostility that Deb speaks of, just people having a civil discussion, and working out their differances.

Andy was invited here by burners and encouraged to post his question about what we needed. We invited him.

He is a guest in our home and is therefore not likely used to the environment here. And we haven't posted a sign to beware of snarling dogs. I would never speak to a guest the way that he has been spoken to.

In his effort to build goodwill, he visits here to answer our questions.

Da Mule · Post by **Da Mule** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:49 am

I want to ride the short bus! Where can I get on?

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:32 am

At Bruno's, and the store.....

Oh wait, that the Green Tortoise bus.

I am sure they would love a mule to board though.

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:34 am

Dr. Pyro wrote:I think his posting about the current status of the Empire Store is a public service. Still needs to make the tacos not completely suck however. Though it does give me an appreciation for Indian tacos.

i could not agree more. I could understand scolding the guy if this was some vendor in Reno trying to get rich off you but this is the friggin Empire Store!!! My god, this is the last bastion of beer and supplies for a lot of us and I think that the owner being actively involved and asking US what WE want him to stock is not something we should be trying to stop. Just my opinion.

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:40 am

Deb Prothero wrote: Andy was invited here by burners and encouraged to post his question about what we needed. We invited him.

He is a guest in our home and is therefore not likely used to the environment here. And we haven't posted a sign to beware of snarling dogs. I would never speak to a guest the way that he has been spoken to.

In his effort to build goodwill, he visits here to answer our questions.

At one time it was relevant Deb, now the store is open. I am sure many other burner businesses would love to post here.

On another point even the amount of people he reaches here is
NOTHING
compared to what he is about to face.

I wish him luck.

Deb Prothero · Post by **Deb Prothero** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:10 am

goathead wrote:
At one time it was relevant Deb, now the store is open. I am sure many other burner businesses would love to post here.

On another point even the amount of people he reaches here is
NOTHING
compared to what he is about to face.

I wish him luck.

In a week this thread will be completely irrelevant and we will be in the store. Andy's posts will stop on this thread when we are all on the road. When we return, maybe he'll join a his new friends on eplaya.

Either that or he'll be dead from exhaustion!

I wanna go for a ride with DaMule. What's a short bus?

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:20 am

I would like to know what other businesses in or around Gerlach have to offer. Is there a place on the Burning Man website that offers such info.? I've heard that Brunos has good pasta.. never had it though. I would LOVE to give the folks out there some business.

Da Mule · Post by **Da Mule** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:25 am

Deb Prothero wrote: I wanna go for a ride with DaMule. What's a short bus?

Excellent! I love rides where I'm the rider, not the transport.

Urban Dictionary explains short bus

Sounds like the place for me! I can't spell derogotory either!

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:00 pm

Regarding the question of event resources by Boijoy: websites are listed under subheading of "Event Resources", that is under heading of "Preparation", that is under heading of "The Event" which is on the Burningman.com homepage. Three clicks and your there from log-on.

There are many businesses that are listed there.( Some whose web links no longer work.) I suggest that Andy have his website listed there after the event, when the worker bees are back in San Francisco. (415) TO-FLAME. Then when we want to recommend patronage, we can just reference that page and not violate our principle of decommodification.

I encourage other Gerlach/ Empire businesses to list their pages there. Then they could reference their pages by hyper-link without advertizing daily specials.

Under the subheading " Nevada Hot Spots", the Reno page has many businesses listed; on the Empire page only Burning Sands, a 9 hole golf course, is listed. Perhaps a new heading is called for, say "Gerlach/ Empire- Gas, Groceries, Restaurants, Bars, Motels, Resorts, Art".

Participants can recommend businesses that cater to burners. I am personally glad to have the Empire Store back on it's feet.

Post by **Sham** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 12:26 pm