And They Say There's No Stores In Pomona

I am so depressed about the Regional Trash Transfer Station being approved, the whole way it went down, and what it means to Pomona children (a truly endangered species at this point). My fingers are so sad, in fact, that they can not even handle doing a post on it. Yet.

But like any veteran Pomonan, I am used to dusting myself off and getting back off the ground. But ouch, this time the fall to the ground was so much lower. As a result, I am still hobbling around in the hope department in terms of this election changing anything. However, for the sake of my friends and family here in Pomona, I still want to believe I can do SOMETHING to better this screwed up town.

And so was my mood this weekend when a neighbor told me about the Santa Fe Outlet on Holt Street. I have passed it a billion times on Holt and Reservoir, and seen in their window a variety of odds (like a huge Mario Bros. statue) and ends (yep, it is in prime street-walking territory and you'll see at least one gal in a too tight skirt). Upon walking inside I was asking myself how I never knew that Pomona had a department store. I mean this place has everything, a lot of it Costco remainders. I saw lots of things I no longer need, but mentally took notes of things I might need in the future. In the end, all I bought was a 50 cent bottled water as the place was not well-air conditioned and I was so mesmerized by aisle after aisle of stuff to buy in Pomona to help save the library, that I thought I was going to faint. Santa Fe Outlet at Holt and Reservoir Streets, only in Pomona. Check it out!

On the way back home, I noticed that the new "Fallas Paredes" store was having it's grand opening. Now I had no idea what a Fallas Paredes was, or what it means in Spanish (not sure if my husband was playing with me, but he said it had no Spanish translation). Well it turns out Fallas Paredes is a two story urban clothing store chain that also has a home goods section. But the real star of the show is their awesome air conditioning that darn near blew me around the clothes racks.

I am a bit confused because I had originally heard that a Big Lots was going into that space (it's the lot next to the Historical Society and across from the 99 Cents Store on HOlt). Although Big Lots may have been more useful, the reviews on yelp for Fallas' downtown L.A. Store are mostly super enthusiastic, almost having a cult like appeal. And while some of the stuff I saw at Fallas was beyond garish, I actually found two cool $4 graphic tees for Mr. Big's back to school wardrobe. However, the line at he register was so long with Pomona shoppers paying Pomona sales tax, y, that I plan to go back there today to purchase them. So hands off the Dr. Swagger shirts if you are reading this!!

I invite comments on ways we can spend money in Pomona that others might not know about. I just read that the Elephant Bar in MONTCLAIR will donate a portion of their sales to the Pomona Library fund. While I appreciate this gesture, it seems counter-productive to Pomona. Why give away Pomona sales tax to other cities in the first place when we can shop and eat in Pomona?

We might not be able to do much about the corruption at City Hall until the L.A. County District Attorney's office finally makes it's way around to Pomona, but we can all do better about spending our money ON and IN Pomona.

Now excuse me while I head off to the La Verne Staples to get some work supplies, since the Pomona Staples closed and became a thrift store. Speaking of which, Charity Thriftstore, new to Upper Towne Avenue as of June 2012, is yet another fun place to shop and support all things Pomona.

THE END