August 31, 2006

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

Should the Almaden Feed and Fuel be made an historical landmark? Should it reopen as a bar?
(Asked the Via Valiente Plaza)

“Unfortunately, I think it’s too late. It’s been four years now. Instead of retaining its uniqueness, it’s never moved with the times and never catered to new residents in the area, unlike the Britannia Arms on Almaden Expressway that has kept up with the times. The people that have moved into Almaden are not working-class residents, and the Feed and Fuel failed to accommodate them as customers. But it’s a real shame that it’s closing, it’s sad that people who were born here can’t afford to keep it up.”

Bill Cain, 40
Almaden
Stay-at-home dad


“It definitely should be made an historical landmark. It’s been here for at least 100 years. There’s not much around here that’s a century old. It’s definitely an Almaden landmark. Yes.”

Sarah Wilson, 19
Almaden
Sophomore at UC Santa Barbara


“I think so because it makes the neighborhood unique. It’s our claim to fame. I’ve never been there, but my husband has and it sets the neighborhood apart. Yes, it should reopen as a bar, Almaden needs a neighborhood bar.”

Jennifer Bridges, 38
Almaden
Homemaker


“Yes, I grew up around it. I used to go horseback riding and stop there and eat breakfast. Yes, it should reopen as a bar because that’s what the original was and that’s what it is.”

Debi Paris, 52
Willow Glen
Construction project manager


“It should become a historical monument because it’s been there for years. It’s better looking than houses. There’s too many houses, the [Almaden] valley is getting too big. I think they should make it a family restaurant as well as an Almaden Valley landmark."

Joe Santos, 53
Willow Glen
Retired deputy sheriff


“My wife and I have been discussing that very subject. I’m part of the Pfeiffer family: My grandmother was a Pfeiffer. It does have lots of historical significance, there’s a lot of history of the area there. It should be a historical landmark; it used to be a stagecoach stop. I would like to see it saved. A bar is fine, there aren’t that many [bars] out here. I’ve seen so many buildings torn down and bulldozed, since I was a child. It would be nice to see a bit of the old character remain as a bar, building museum or gathering place.”

Paul Estrade, 55
Almaden
Glass artist


"I don’t know, I’ve thought about it. I recently went to a book signing and lots of people are working on it. I hate to see everything plowed under and just gotten rid of. It’s nice to have a few things that have been around for a while. My daughter had ponies and used to ride out there. We used to go and get tack for the horse and have breakfast [at the Feed and Fuel]. It’s certainly seen a lot of changes.”

Sara Whitlock, 69
Almaden
Retired


"That’s a good question. Part of me says yes and part says no. It has lots of historical significance, but there’s too may bikers out there on Saturday night and it gets too noisy. We have the mining museum up the street. I don’t consider it that significant of a land mark."

Joel Stuckey, 45
Almaden
Engineer