Robert Brack has been a customer of Bob’s Fine Wines since 2014. He accredits his patronage to Bob’s wide expertise and friendly demeanor, which made a lasting impression on Robert during his first visit. Robert now regularly visits Bob to get recommendations for almost every occasion: holidays, birthdays, and even a VIP Champagne Hour at the Noll Surfboards Art Show.
Bob began seeing fewer customers in his shop when Kmart, the anchor store which brought the most foot traffic to the area, left the Estrella Plaza in 2014. This was a huge blow for Bob who lost 90% of his clients. The former Kmart building remained empty for a while, and the small businesses that were left like Guichos Eatery, Alex’s Tailoring, and Bob’s Fine Wines saw fewer and fewer customers.
“Bob is a valuable part of the community, and his family has deep roots in the city of San Clemente,” Robert sympathized. “He is the little guy, and I like to stick up for the little guys and small businesses.” Now, Robert is working with Bob’s Fine Wines to establish an online presence to better advertise his business. In fact, many San Clemente Life Group members are now regular customers at Bob’s shop. With the newfound support, Bob has not only been able to keep his store open, but has even invested in improvements, like a new chic sign. And now, with the introduction of Sprouts and TJ Maxx to the Estrella Plaza, the future is looking very bright for Bob.
Bob and Robert extend their thanks to the many people who have shown support. “San Clemente Life demonstrates what San Clemente is all about, a small beach town with charm where we help each other out when called upon to do so” (Robert).
For Good Cheer(s!)
Issue #13 May 26, 2017
By: Matt Fletcher
It’s tradition that every December my family visits the Regency Theater in San Juan Capistrano for the annual showing of It’s a Wonderful Life. This film tells the story of George Bailey, a small town businessman who forfeits his big dreams to save his town Bedford Falls from a greedy mortgage lender bent on raising rent across the town. The plot thickens when George loses everything he owns in bankruptcy, but his friends and neighbors, in return for all George’s good deeds, muster up enough money to keep his business alive.
This tradition is particularly heartfelt for my family because the fictional town of Bedford Falls really reminds us of San Clemente – a town that cares about its people. I see this mantra demonstrated all the time on San Clemente Life. And perhaps no better illustration of this is when a member of our community Robert Brack rallied behind a local business that was facing considerable challenges not too long ago.
