" I agree, why do klamath employers hire the people they do? When there are plenty of people with the skills and experience ready to be hired! "

" I too would like to see some other type of options. We drive over the hill quite a bit because you get tired of Fred Meyers, Gottschalks (which does not offer much for anyone under 75), Maurices, and Ross (which is hit or miss). Options are always better it is nice to be able to look at what you are purchasing and try it on and what not so yeah the internet does have those things but it too is one of those things where you sometimes have to send back and forth to get exactly what you are looking for. And what if it is last minute then you have to make do with what you can find in the store. I am not from California, I have lived in Klamath my whole life, and we have ALWAYS traveled over the hill because Klamath just does not offer the same type of things. Personally I would prefer Target over Wal-Mart but that is just me. I know those of you who keep complaining about it probably say if you want those things why not move, well because we have family here, our jobs are here and they are good jobs but still sometimes you need something else. The same goes for restaurants, we don't have very many restaurants that are nice sit down enjoy your family meals, we do however have a vast majority of fast food if you need it! I do think Pril had a good point in learning to make a new dish, and we do eat at home more nights than not but ever once in awhile you want to treat your spouse to a nice dinner out or something and you don't have many options. I guess I am just trying to say I am all for having more retailers than what we have. I think it would benefit Klamath greatly. "

" Customer...try shopping at the downtown stores. Most are owned and operated by people that have a real stake in making you happy. Customer service is much better in the small, locally owned shops than the big, generic stores. As for poor customer service, I have experienced service just as bad on the other side of the hill. I agree there is a lost art of customer service in this town, but that is everywhere...not just KF. Try going to smaller places to do your shopping.

As for needing more retail...I think residents need to take advantage of what is here. There are some very nice stores downtown, but people don't even think of this area when they want to buy something. Anyone who shops downtown knows that there are never crowds in the shops - nice for relaxing shopping, although I'm sure the shop owners would love to have crowds. As mentioned in the original topic, downtown is a great option for holiday shopping. Sports stores - try the Ledge, Klamath Board Sports. Clothing - Pearl, Periwinkle. Fancy restaurants...you have me there, other than Bel Tramonto.

I agree that it would be nice to have some more restaurants, and for people that like to go to an enclosed mall-like area and shop, driving store to store is not the same. Until KF grows a little more, these type of places are not going to come to KF. "

" As soon as I can walk into a local business and actually be greeted by and employee, and have a question answered other than "I don't know" I'll stop going over the hill.

Wake up Klamath employers.........hire some people with good attitudes and customer service skills. I've been all over this country and never experienced the lack of customer service that KF has.

I'll go spend the day in Medford even if I only have to buy some socks !! "

" and lastly... there's this thing called the internet... anything you can buy by driving to Medford you can buy online.

JK- why not take that up with the owners of the store. Ah but it's so much easier to just come onto the newspaper's online site and complain. "

" I wish and hope for a Wild Oates! Or a Trader Joes! They are more stringent on true 'Organic and Raw' foods.
Our local 'Natural Foods' store doesnt truely offer 'all Natural Foods'. Not all of their 'Raw' selection is not truely 'Raw'. Many of the herbs are not truely 'Organic'. In the 'deli' side of the store Many of their Organic and Raw selections have been made with un-organic and not raw ingrediants in them.
Yes, im sure it has to be hard to fully make a recipe completely 100% raw or organic, but PLEASE do not label it as such if it is not! I have a HIGH allergy to pesticides used on average fruits, veggies, etc. So I guarentee you not all of the 'fresh' products are organic or raw.
At least my allergy has shown me what to buy and what not to! "

" Bob,

Bob, The article was written because many feel they need to go to Medford because Klamath Falls doesn't offer what they're looking for. Businesses will relocate here it's just a matter of time. Unfortunately on paper our community looks like a horrible place to open anything other then a store that
takes food stamps.
joeyfisherman,
The economy will eventually turn around as it always does.
Priil,
I appreciate your spirit I was just busting your chops a little. I do think that your idea is just a little outdated. The type of business your talking about aren't really viable anymore as they open and close all the time, sad but true. "

" Robert, 1 person does not constitute a demand for a retail establishment to move to Klamath Falls. I also am not afraid of change or growth but was simply trying to point out the reason why some peoples favorite national chains are not in Klamath Falls. Supply & demand. If there was a demand for a sevice or product here inevitably the supply would fill the demand. Right??? If you want more retail establishments here, you should do something to recruit them not just complain. "

" yeah good luck with that...this 70% consuming economy is going the way of the Dodo. adapt or i wont see you later. "

" And there's nothing wrong with encouraging a little entrepreneurial spirit among middle-school aged kids. Because it's small businesses that make up the core of shops and restaurants around here, and those folks started somewhere, after all. Even Wal-Mart started as a corner 5 & 10. "

" Actually Robert S, I'm kind of a fan of not handing over money to big corporations for shoddy products and flavorless, giant meals. If making a great, nutritious meal for a group of people or sewing (learning to sew, myself, at nearly 40) and customizing my own clothes makes me Amish, then good for me. There's nothing negative about my post. Why not learn those skills? This letter came from a middle school class, why not show them they can start their own business with basic skills that so many of us have lost? Why complain about something you can change? "

" What is it that you have to go over the mountain to buy? I don't get it. I mean, we have an excellent health food store, and plenty of consumer product outlets. What is it that you think will finally fulfill you? I really hope we can change this line of thinking before we have destroyed ourselves. DIY! Happiness, contentment and joy will never be found in a product, despite what their commercials say. There are so many stores here. It make me sick. Be a consumer, or be a citizen; be a child, or be a wo/man. It's up to you. "

" Why is it that anytime someone makes the point of not having enough selection in retail and restaraunts is met with such a negative attitude? She's absolutely right and most think that way accept ofcourse, Pril who must be Amish, Lacroix who never seems to have anything positive to say about any topic, and Bob who thinks since he doesn't need more options there is no DEMAND. Don't worry over time the town will grow and with it will come more retailers and restaraunts etc, like or not it's coming and it drives some folks crazy. Ha "

" Can we get an IHOP restaurant here? We were in Bend for a MAMA clinic and ate at This little well organized restaurant for handmade eggs, pancakes, and meats, in and out in 30 minutes, open from 6am to 10pm, and no entree over $15. "

" learn to cook- prepare incredible special occasion meals at home. Learn to sew- totally customize what you wear and really be truly unique. You might even be able to make some money by selling your creations, and then you can open your OWN retail outlet around here so people won't feel they have to travel out of town to shop or get great food... "

" This generation of "consumer nation" babies is in for a real education in the next few years.

The LAST thing this town needs is more closed businesses - and more "opportunities" for spoiled brat kids to further entrench their rabid consumer me-first mentality.

If people want to live in a mall they should go back to California - which, due to such thinking, is in wonderful shape and just waiting for them. "

" I have lived in Klamath Falls for 3 years & have never felt it necessary to drive a 160 mile round trip over a mountain to shop or go out to eat. Keep in mind- for more retailers to open new stores, there has to be a DEMAND. With a struggling economy & the lowest retail consumer spending in 16 years, good luck bringing new retailers to Klamath Falls. "