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Above: Amangela’s Annouces Their Beer & Wine License

Despite what people want to believe, I don’t find the Big Bear Valley to be very business friendly. Now that I mentioned it, the county doesn’t seem to be very helpful either.

We all know that many new business owners who have taken over operating establishments only to get hit with code enforcement and a variety of other technicalities.

Amanda and Angela have managed to do pretty well jumping through the hoops. I had to laugh when they were told that there never was a business in the building! I know of at least five since I moved into the valley!

BTW: You may have noticed that Amangela’s now serves beer and wine.

The duo is working on locating a distributor that will allow micro brews and more selections. In the meantime, the deck has been gated to keep the alcohol drinking crowds confined to the patio.

Their winter hours went into effect so now you can find Amangela’s open from 8am until 4pm –except for Thursday when they are closed.

Get the Burger & Other Business Nonsense

I heard that Eric over at Get the Burger had his rent increased and that it isn’t going to work for him so he will be closing at the end of the month.

Bummer.

Get the Burger produces great product and many locals believe that it even rivals the In and Out brand so popular here in Southern California.

With all the empty commercial businesses I’d hope he would find one to meet his needs. But it doesn’t look like it.

Now this got me thinking about the issue I keep hearing about–insane rents.

So, I have to ask,

Are Big Bear landlords ignorant of just how many commercial buildings in this area are empty?

Do they even know about the economic challenges some business are facing at the moment?

Sol Food Market recently moved to Big Bear Lake next to the Alpine Center because of rent.

Plus, I can’t believe the prices they are charging for business rents in this area. You can go down the hill and get into a new or very well maintained facility with tons more traffic for the same money–or less.

I know one village business that had a rent of $4000 per month. Then there is the business owner that got into a village lease in an asbestos filled building. The tenant got into a triple net lease and so made the changes–all before being able to move and open which isn’t exactly a great way to get started in a new location!

How about rentals in the Interlaken Center? There is a prime location that has remained empty for over a year and a half because they want insane amounts of money…$2.50 per square foot and triple net and now I hear that Haus & Home is closing to leave another empty space.

The current assessment of square footage according to some sources is more like $0.99 per square foot

Sheesh, what a difference.

So, what you think of all the business movements and closures? Do you think business rents up here are too high?

Popularity: 2%

Woodstove Safety Tips is a guest post by George Stewart

With home heating bills smoldering through the roof, it’s no wonder that many homeowners are contemplating a wood burning stove to help handle some or all of their home heating needs. Firewood is abundant and inexpensive in many parts of the country, and technological advancements have made woodstoves and other wood burning appliances safer and more efficient than ever.

Unfortunately, wood burning appliances still pose a danger if common sense safety precautions are ignored. Here’s a quick look at some key steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of a fire.

Find A Professional Installer

Few homeowners have the technical “know-how” to properly install a woodstove, fireplace insert or other wood burning appliance, and fewer still understand all of the pertinent building code requirements in their community. For example, clearances between the wood burning appliance, the venting system and any combustible materials above, below or beside the appliance are critical. What’s more, installation errors in a wood burning appliance rarely prevent it from “working.” This can all too easily leave a homeowner with a false sense of security—until it’s too late.

Ask about certified installation services when shopping for a wood burning appliance, and check credentials. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one of the best ways to locate a certified professional is through a certification agency like the National Fireplace Institute (NFI). A list of NFI Certified Woodburing Specialists is available on the organization’s Internet site at www.nficertified.org.

Learn How To Burn

Before the installer leaves, ask him or her to show you how to use your wood burner. Include all family members in the discussion, if possible, and use this opportunity to set strict rules about who is permitted to operate the new appliance. Much of what you learn will be specific to the make and model of the wood burning appliance you buy. Other safety tips will be more general in nature, but are every bit as important:

* Keep a properly maintained fire extinguisher nearby at all times.
* Move combustible items as far away from the wood burner as possible.
* Use only clean paper, newsprint and dry kindling to start a fire. Never use an accelerant like gasoline, kerosene or lighter fluid.
* Burn seasoned wood only. Wet or green logs may cause a combustible residue to build up inside your chimney.
* Never burn trash or garbage in your wood burner.
* Close the door of your wood burning appliance as soon as it’s lit and immediately after loading new logs.

Talk to your local fire department. They may be able to offer additional information about burning wood safely, and they may be able to provide additional information about local ordinances that affect when you can use your wood burner.

Follow Maintenance Guidelines

Make sure you read and follow the maintenance guidelines provided with your wood burning appliance to help keep it working properly. Many manufacturers recommend an annual inspection, and your installer can often perform this service or recommend an inspector. Remove ashes regularly, and have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a certified chimney sweep. The Chimney Safety Institute of America offers a searchable list of certified chimney sweeps online at www.csia.org.

Install Smoke And Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you haven’t already done so, now is a great time to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. These devices can potentially warn you about a fire or wood burner malfunction, and may save your life. Talk to your local fire department about the best locations for each device, and make sure you test them regularly to make sure they’re working properly at all times.

The Home Improvement News and Information Center provides information and resources for home remodeling, home improvement and home energy management projects. For more home safety tips, point your web browser to Home Improvement News and Information Center.

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