The 3/50 Project

I work in retail in Park City, Utah for a lovely couple .... a true mom and pop business which is a rarity today with all the competition from the big box stores. All the shop owners I know are really struggling just to keep their doors open and to earn a living. Many have closed their doors.

Lately we have had a lot of "customers" come in to "just look" and then go home to make their purchases online to save a few dollars and sales tax. They don't seem to understand (or care) that there is a lot of overhead to run a business, and if they don't start supporting their local small businesses they will no longer have store fronts to visit.

Just yesterday, a man called and wants to return a sculpture that his wife got him for Christmas. She was a last minute shopper and called and needed it shipped out express. So yes, we wrapped it, boxed it, and mailed it for only a $10 fee which didn't nearly cover our costs. Since they live in Utah, they also had to pay sales tax. He now wants the shipping cost refunded too, because he doesn't like the gift that she got him and wants a different one. Then to add insult to injury, he wants us to match an online price that he found. I tried to explain to him that online "stores" don't have any overhead so they can afford to sell way below a fair market price and if that is how he chooses to shop it is his prerogative. I haven't heard back or seen him to know what he has decided.

We and other small business deal with this mentality on a daily basis and it is hard to be polite and cheerful when you just want to scream. There is a movement going on by Cinda Baxter, a retail consultant. It is called the 3/50 Project, and I hope everyone who reads this takes it to heart and passes it on to their friends, relatives and acquaintances. If we as Americans don't consciously make some changes, our quaint and unique small businesses will just be a fond memory.

Autumn on Mirror Lake Highway

The other day we took a drive to see the "colors" on Mirror Lake Highway. It is one of my favorite places it the area, especially in the winter to cross country ski. It was a beautiful day and since it is snowing now, a good time to go.

Lone Aspen

I never see any actual wildlife.

Provo Falls

Best Burger In the State?

On the way to Mirror Lake we decided to stop for an early lunch at High Mountain Drug in Kamas, Utah. Their hamburgers have been voted "best in state" this year, so we figured we should give them a try.

The burgers were cooked well....tender and juicy. The bun was fresh and the cheese gooey. My only complaint was that mine was a bit heavy on the mustard...next time I would request less.
We also had a side of the fresh cut fries. They looked nice and golden brown but they were soft and greasy. Even with the under cooking (or maybe the oil wasn't hot enough) they tasted good. I think they would be fabulous if prepared correctly.
High Mountain Drug is like a step back in time...quaint and reminiscent of simpler times. The setting alone is worth a visit...it is well worn but clean and welcoming.
So, do their burgers deserve the title of "Best in State"? I'm not sure about that, but they are as good as any others we have tried so far.

Hogle Zoo

After living in Utah for ten years now, we finally made a trip to the zoo. It was a perfect day, weather wise, and since it was a Tuesday, not crowded. We got there early, because that was when we were told the baby tigers were most likely to be awake and playing. They were out and romping, but at quite a distance from the viewing area. We did get "up close" with the grown male tiger though (that's him in the photo).
I have only been to a handful of zoos (Bronx, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Fort Wayne) and am no expert, but I think that if Utah wants to have a zoo, they should throw some funding their way to make it nicer for the animals. Painting a mural on the wall does not a natural habitat make...I doubt the animals are fooled.