What do four shopkeepers and a banker in the village of Mendocino have in common? More than 160 years of combined service to their customers! They will share their experiences of moving to the coast and the challenges of setting up a business in a rural community.
Erich Schmid has been with the Savings Bank of Mendocino since 1978. He always wanted to live on the coast, and after working with Bank of Marin and Crocker Bank, he ventured to the coast. Schmid has enjoyed being a part of the growth of Mendocino and treasures the relationships he built with local folks and businesses over the last thirty years.
Ed O’Brien of Compass Rose opened his leather shop in 1970. He jokes that he was involved in Santa Barbara poverty and decided to join the poor folks up north. He points out hard work and marrying well allows you to prosper, and he’s living proof that you can live your dream.
Glen Ricard has operated almost a dozen businesses locally since 1968, including Circa clothing. He’s found that if you’re successful others will copy you; if you provide a service or product that has a demand, your business will succeed – whether it is clothing, antiques, toys or car rental.
Skip McClaren is another person who has owned a variety of businesses in the village. He opened the Melting Pot in 1972 and has since owned Pot Gourmet, Body Experience, and Sky’s No Limit. Skip has now scaled back to his kaleidoscope shop, Reflections, on Albion Street. When asked what he’s learned about being involved in the Mendocino business community, he laughed and said, “How much time do you have?”
Susan Cimmiyotti owns Panache Gallery. She started selling estate jewelry 23 years ago, and then expanded to selling original art, glass and fine crafts. She enjoys the wonderful local artists she’s met over the years that have now become good friends.
Join us on Sunday afternoon, April 25, at 3 pm, for a lively discussion of commercial life in the village over the last 40 years. A Sunday Afternoon With is series of local history conversation sponsored by the Kelley House Museum, 45007 Albion Street, Mendocino. Cost: $5 members and $7 non-members. 707-937-5791 www.KelleyHouseMuseum.org.