Quotable Del Mar: Rich Simons on “The Ghost of Commerce Future”

“In the October 2000 issue of the Sandpiper, Rod Franklin wrote, ‘It is up to us to ensure that we have a vibrant, resident-serving business community in Del Mar.’ Sure, I thought Right on. But I didn’t really take it to heart. But when Johnny Rocket’s closed, it hit me like a plate of bad oysters. Guilt poured over me like syrup on the pancakes at IHOP. Would it have killed me to take the family to Johnny Rockets two or three times a week for dinner? Clearly, I could have done more. But then imagine when the ‘Farmer’s Market’ in the Plaza closed its doors! I KNEW that I was personally responsible. Once, in a miserly fit, I had blanched at the $49.95 brandy. Shame, shame. Clearly my values were out of whack.”

— From the June 2001 Sandpiper

Rich Simons has written for The Sandpiper for many years, using humor to cast light on Del Mar’s foibles and quirky character. Happily, 24 years after his musings on commerce in Del Mar, we once again, at long last, have an independent bookstore, and will soon have a market (Valley Farm Market) at the Plaza.