The Real Cost of Shopping at Big Box Stores

Guest Writer, Michael Beveridge of Licensed Home Improvement
We’ve all been there: It’s our regular Off The Mountain (OTM) shopping trip. You know, the one where you’ve planned several stops throughout most of the day to make the most of your time OTM. You’re standing in front of the mega-pack of paper plates. You know you only need one tenth of the smallest package available on the shelf, and you’re justifying in your mind why you should buy a five year supply. After all, it’s here in front of you now, you’ll eventually use them, and the per item price is so good, why, you’re actually saving money, aren’t you?

Or are you? Let’s just step back for a moment and analyze this typical scene. Realistically, even though the change of scenery helps us appreciate Big Bear more, many, if not most, of the things we need can be bought here on the mountain. So the trip may be unnecessary to begin with. Next, the big box merchandisers love it when we buy big, because it always follows that we then use big, and what would otherwise last five years might only last half that time when there’s such an abundance in our cupboard at home. So that’s 2 reasons why the savings might not be as much as we thought. Next, and most important for me, is the value of my time. A round trip is a minimum of three hours, and more likely five, six, or more. In our “time starved” lives, each of us can easily find a number of things that should take higher priority than the potential for saving a couple of bucks. What’s your time worth? Then there’s the cost of the gas, and the fact that we usually eat out more and find more things to buy when off the mountain than when we shop locally.
You begin to realize that, not only are we not really saving when we shop off the mountain, but we are potentially spending a great deal more than if we just kept our dollars here and strengthened our own mountain economy!
In my 20 years here in the valley, I’ve many times been amused by guys in my trade that think they’re saving money by going off the mountain to buy materials for their construction jobs. I have found that I save money buying at our own mountain suppliers. I get to: 1) stay on the mountain and make better use of my time getting the work done or writing up new jobs. 2) take advantage of free delivery, instead of finding, sorting, handling, loading, tying down, hauling, and unloading materials.
Wouldn’t you rather save yourself the time, money, gas, road stress, wear & tear on your car, etc, etc, etc.?

Shop in our Beautiful Valley,

the business you save may be yours!

Chamber Arrests Local Community Leaders

Local community leaders need your help! Mayor Liz Harris, John and Julie Grandi, Kathy Campbell, Joe Haeckel, Brent Tregaskis and Michael Beveridge have all been “arrested” by the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, and they need your help to bail out. Bail will be collected at “A Night of Moonshine and Mayhem” on February 27th, between 6:00pm and 11:00pm at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center.

Mayor Liz Harris, aka “Rhinestone Harris” is wanted for being spotted with notorious local villains in cahoots to educate our young folk, and for tricking the local citizens into reading stories of cowboys and listening to that rhyming racket.

John, Julie and Holly Grandi, aka the “Hob Knobbing Grandi’s” are wanted for wearing numerous outlandish and devilish costumes in public places, while soliciting money for the notorious C.A.T.S. gang, and for being confused and confounded by mistaking their small dog for a child.

Kathy Campbell and Joe Haeckel, aka “Sassy Kathy” and “Gotta Go Joe” are wanted for parading countless men about town and soliciting gold in exchange for their regard, and for collaborating to bring the mounted cavalry to our community and marching them down main street.

Brent Tregaskis of Big Bear Mountain Resorts, aka “Bulls-Eye Brent” is wanted for building a new fandangled contraption that takes people the top of the mountain, puts them on two pieces of wood, and for getting snowed in at a different mountain range.

Michael Beveridge of Licensed Home Improvement, aka “Moonshine Mike” is wanted for puttin’ up all manner of homesteads in the mountains & 'round the lake, specializin' in makin' unsuspectin’ ladies any crazy concoctions they desire.

HELP BAIL OUT THE ACCUSED

Bail money will go to the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce in support of local member businesses. For more information about “A Night of Moonshine & Mayhem” or to purchase tickets call the Chamber at (909) 866-4607, or REGISTER ONLINE HERE!

2010 Economic Update and Forecast - Outlook Positive for Small Business

By: Sara Russ, President/CEO

I think everyone can agree that 2009 was an economically dismal year. Titled the “Great Recession”, 2009 represented a year of lost jobs, extreme financial declines, and a national “tightening of the belt” mentality. The hardest hit industry was in construction as we went from record high home prices, to a dead stop in all building. In 2009 only nine new single family home permits were issued by the city and 1,545 for the county, which was a 90% decline compared to 2005-06. However, home prices were an entirely different story, falling the first half of the year for San Bernardino County, prices actually started to increase the second half of 2009 going from $140,000 in July to $160,000 in November. For Big Bear the average home sold for $277,000, which is $117,000 or more than the average for the county.


Overall, the housing market seems to have hit the bottom and is starting to rebound, according to John Husing, the Inland Empire’s chief economist and another of Inland Empire – Quarterly Economic Report, which was published in January 2010. “In second quarter 2009, the Inland Empire’s housing market appears to have bottomed and is now in its recovery period. This forecast is made because the forces driving demand should continue to overwhelm the supply coming from foreclosures, restrained by federal pressure.” He bases this information on the percentage of families that can now afford homes in the Inland Empire, which is now at 66%, compared to only 15% in the mid-2005. “With affordability soaring, Inland Empire homes sales have also increased.”


The foreclosure supply is also shrinking, for San Bernardino County the share of foreclosures was 69% during the first part of 2009 and was down to 56% in November. Of the homes sold in Big Bear in 2009 that were foreclosures it was only 37%.


Sales tax, though lower than 2008, also showed that Big Bear did better than the county. Latest sales tax information, which is from the first half of 2009, showed Big Bear at only a 10.75% decrease compared to 2008 figures, while the county was 20.05%.


In summary, it is believed that the Inland Empire’s housing market has passed the point of falling prices, which supports that the worst of the housing crisis is over and things are improving. This is based on the fact that demand should exceed supply with rising prices because of the area’s record affordability, plus the large number of families that can now afford homes and the extended federal government tax credits. But, recovery will continue to take time. As for new construction, it is difficult to say. “New home construction is sluggish, but remodel permits are holding steady”, according to Jim Miller, Director of Building and Planning.


One thing is for sure, 2010 has to be better than 2009. With new businesses popping up all over town, including Grizzly Mountain Gourmet Market, Bay Meadow’s Resort, The Tea Company, The Copper Q, and Sugar Pine Bake Shop, as well as existing businesses expanding, such as The Paper Clip, Bear Creek Resort, Zook Studies, and SGS Windows and Doors, Big Bear has gotten through the worst of the storm.


But, just as all of our member businesses were forced to do in 2009 in regards to tightening belts, doing more with less, and improving the way they conduct business, so has the Chamber. We are using the lessons we learned in 2009 to do an even better job of serving our members in 2010. We are the leading business association in Big Bear and we are focused on improving our local economy. In 2010 “We Mean Business” and it looks like the national economy will bring the same.

"Conquer the Bear"

Post by Angela

I did it, I registered for Conquer the Bear last night!  I am very excited as this will be an exciting new challenge for me!  If you want to find out more about Conquer the Bear go to the Open Air Big Bear website or read my newsletter article about Conquer the Bear below!  Check out Mountain Fitness Center if you are looking for a training program, or if you just want to get in shape!

Chamber Staff Member Decides to “Conquer the Bear”


They call it “A challenge like no other.” Over the span of eight months, challengers take on a wild and fun adventure that will both grow and challenge their mental strength and physical abilities. Perhaps this is the reason that I have decided to throw my hat in the ring, and attempt to Conquer the Bear.


This year Open Air Big Bear has expanded its ultimate mountain challenge to entice athletes and outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels. I will be competing in the Conquer the Bear, and for those requiring more of a challenge will compete in Conquer the Bear Elite. To compete in the “Elite” category, participants will have to partake in the most difficult version of each course.


Conquer the Bear consists of four unique mountain challenges for outdoor enthusiasts to sink their teeth into. Challenges include “Snowshoe the Bear,” coming up on February 6th, “Team Big Bear Mountain Bike Race,” on June 20th, “Paddlefest” on July 11th, and “Endure the Bear”, a mountain trail run on September 11th. While I am an avid hiker, I have not dabbled much in the way of paddling, other then canoeing at camp as a child, I have never cycled on a mountain trail, and I don’t normally run the trails I am hiking. The challenges Conquer the Bear provides will definitely test my limits, provide me with some new mountain adventures to partake in throughout the year, and will most likely get me in the best shape of my life!


How am I going to prepare myself for these rigorous challenges? Mountain Fitness Center, of course! Reigning Conquer the Bear champions Heather and Ted Devito of Mountain Fitness Center have put together a new training program called “Mountain Sports Academy.” The academy will provide a weekly training schedule, outings before each challenge to better hone skills, and workshops on gear, nutrition and race tips. The “Mountain Sports Academy,” will whip me into shape and will keep me accountable, which is something I need! “We are going to teach you how to use a training schedule, help you understand how much mileage you should be doing, and help you with challenges you may face,” said Ted Devito.


Conquer the Bear is not only going to help me personally get in shape, it is going to help out our local economy. Last year the Open Air Big Bear events drew more than 2500 athletes, and each event had a finish festival that attracted visitors and spectators, with the economic impact totaling over half a million dollars.


Come join me and Conquer the Bear this year; it is bound to be an adventure! If I can’t inspire you, Ted Devito can. In referring to the starting line of each race, Ted said this “every person around me is here for one reason; they all want to finish this challenge, and reach their own goals, and the energy of being caught up in that is amazing.”

January Power Breakfast: Success!

If you missed the January Power Breakfast, you missed out on some great information about the Amgen Tour of California and the Tour de Big Bear!  You also missed participating in or watching the Goldsprints competition hosted by Bear Valley Bikes.  It was a great morning, with 82 people in attendance!  Chairman of the Board Ken Dally put on a very informative presentation about the Amgen Tour of California and ways businesses can get involved with the tour. 

Vice Chair of Membership & Special Projects, Marlene Cain and Chairman of the Board Ken Dally