To the editor;
I love the old little historical town of Cloverdale.
I hate seeing so many wonderful businesses shut down and go elsewhere. Why though are so many wonderful landmark businesses leaving and/or quitting our very sweet and unique historical little town of Cloverdale? Is this progress or regress? Or are people getting older and retiring? Or has the hustle and bustle of people strolling the historical downtown core taken to strolling elsewhere? Or is there something else going on?
In the historical downtown area, the Salvation Army up and left. The China Cup restaurant gave it a good try. Joysticks and Paddles left some time ago.
Hometown Antiques has been gone for a few years now, but I had to mention them as they had once been a strong fixture of the bustling antique magnet Cloverdale was known for.
And the Clova Cinema, if only that building could talk, what stories it could tell, of kids going to matinees and lovers on first dates. The Smallville series would have some tales, I’m sure, too.
The old Safeway Mall shut down, and the various auctions that had moved in. But now they’re sadly gone, too!
The Cloverdale Antique Mall, what a shock to see that go. I’m still missing strolling through there and the wonderful staff that were there to greet you.
Rogers Videos just shut down recently. The Red Barn Antiques, what an amazing fixture they were. It was a very large place, very much like a museum. It was a wonderful way to stroll into the past.
Cloverdale was a great place to stroll down memory lane and pick up a piece of history, and learn some history at the same time. Now there are only two antique stores left, Cloverdale Antiques and Jack’s Place.
The owners of Elizabeth’s Chalet Restaurant would greet you as though inviting you into their own home. They were a special couple. The old Apple Medical building next door is now for sale. Not to forget the Schneider’s meat plant shut down recently. This was a corporate/head office decision. Cloverdale smelled amazing when they were here. Enough to make you run to the grocery store to buy some cold cuts or sausage even though you didn’t need any!
A lot of the businesses shut down or sold, due to retirement while others had a tough start and couldn’t make a go of it. Corporate decisions caused the end of the Salvation Army,
Schneiders, and Rogers Video.
Cloverdale has always had a lot of wonderful things going for it and I’m sure it will always continue to amaze and be a grandiose host to all who venture to come and stroll and enjoy its wonderful spirit. For now, I expect we’ll see some changes. Hopefully, they won’t take too long and also hopefully they won’t detract too much from the genuine and very special spirit and nature and character of Cloverdale.
Thank goodness we still have the Cloverdale Rodeo and Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino and the Sunday Flea Market.
We may have lost some wonderful businesses, but we’ve still got a lot going for us. I just love the old little historical town of Cloverdale.
Parts of it may seem a little outta sight right now, but it’s not totally out of this world!
Sharon Stanley
Cloverdale… where else?
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