Retiring from the biz

Over the last week my wife of 28 years and I decided to close our one last remaining hobby shop this coming August. Our last day open will be August 1st. The shop in Bakersfield was opened in 1988 as the first of what would be three shops I would own in Bakersfield, Tehachapi and Mojave. This one is the last. Currently we are $11,300 in the red and with little hope of getting out soon, much of our inventory is already being bought out by a shop in the LA area I maintained a good business relationship with.

My wife and I will be selling our Kern County home and moving up with our daughter in the Lake Tahoe area. A few months ago I applied for and recently was told I have a job waiting for me at a local casino, and my wife has already found a job at the local Kaiser Medical Facility there. At age 51 I don't like starting over but the prospect of working for someone and being able to count my chickens before they hatch is appealing.

I have already informed Pete and the others of my plans and will be giving all of my relevant slot car stuff to him, Jim jr. and Yoshi. I will "sponsor" the #11 Bunnell Ford but I won't be driving. I do plan to finish the current Pancake Outlaw series but this will be my last hurrah. I will be officially retired at that point.

It has been fun, but life seems to always get in the way, doesn't it? Hope to still visit the boards from time to time.

Wow, Mr. Champion! I am VERY sorry to hear this about your shop. :-( It sounds like the economy has another "victim" that unfortunately, brought a bright spot to that thing called life. Being that far in debt is definitely tough to get out of once the slippery slop starts happening - I'm just sorry that things did not turn around quicker for you.

While not as exciting, I'm sure, as owning a hobby shop and racing with good friends, being around your daughter and, like you said, having someone else take care of your paycheck may not be a bad thing for a retiree.

Definitely keep in touch! I know we will miss you around here, but I'm definitely sure that Pete and the crew will miss you extremely.

All the best!
PD2 - Paul