I wish to thank this wonderful and generous community for the
kind words and gifts regarding my store, Dorothy McNett’s Place. I
will miss our store as this has been my life here in San Benito
County for many years, and the personal contact with my special
customers has always been so rewarding.
Editor,
I wish to thank this wonderful and generous community for the kind words and gifts regarding my store, Dorothy McNett’s Place. I will miss our store as this has been my life here in San Benito County for many years, and the personal contact with my special customers has always been so rewarding.
It is evident by what has been said regarding our unique selections of food and ingredients this store provided, we humans can hang onto our traditions and our ethnic backgrounds and perhaps bring some semblance of world peace through food and fun. Thanks for all your support! Remember to hang onto those family traditions through food and wine.
I do believe that this store should have worked in this location and I emphasize that at the time we signed the lease for this building and began the big move, we did not sharpen our pointy business pencils enough. We had been riding on a big wave of business in 1999 and 2000 and needed to move in order to continue on that uphill swing.
However, we (it’s easier to say we than I) did not calculate in enough for expenses and with the downturn in the economy in September of 2001 we were already way too committed financially. We bought too much equipment, we expanded inventory, we hired 23 employees to run the place.
A smarter business person than I would have cut the staff sooner, would have shrunk the store sooner and certainly would not have gone after more loans to continue onward.
But a food person is an artist and you all know how artists work or think. We needed more Parmigiano-Reggiano, more Herbed Sea Salt from Italy. Amarone wine from Italy, the best saffron from Spain, unique Portuguese wines, more equipment to do our television show, more All-Clad pots and pans, the finest balsamic vinegar from Modena because surely someone would want it even though it would have to sell for $179 per bottle. This is how the store grew and became famous. With unique and wonderful products from all over the world. And with a wonderful staff and customers such as you.
Thank you again for going on the ride with me. Now, we must close the doors and move on. Thanks for the gifts of food – it has been a little like a funeral around here lately. People do share in the best way they know how, and that is with hugs, kind words and gifts of food. I love you all so much.
Fondly,
Dorothy McNett, Hollister
