Investing during a recession: signs of spring?

It's always a good sign when small businesses - certainly the backbone of our economy here in Bakersfield - choose to expend scarce capital during a deepening recession. So I was heartened to read in the Downtown Business Assn. newsletter about the number of businesses honored for major renovations or new construction. Among the honorees were The Dream Center and Coffee Shop, Elaine's Cafe and Market, Goose Loonies, Larry McAbee Construction, American Sound Recording Studio and the Marriott Hotel. Alexander and Associates, Memorial Hospital and Little White Dress (owner Jennifer Cantelmi shown in picture) were cited for new construction. The DBA also talked about the possibility of 20th Street becoming a "great street," providing an east-west walkable connection from the new Mill Creek Linear Park (Central Park) to the historic Fox Theater.

Elaine's Cafe: where gluten-free entrepreneurs are making their stand in a meat loving city

I'm always looking for signs of hope in this dismal economy and I found it at lunch recently in - who would have guessed it? - downtown Bakersfield. I happened in on Elaine's Cafe & Market on 20th Street, a new place dedicated to vegetarian and vegan food products and substitutes. The food was delicious (encouraging when your daughter is a vegetarian and your wife eats like a rabbit) but I was most impressed with the entrepreneurial spirit of the owners, Tim and Tracy Thompson. Tim is a former manager of a major construction/contracting firm and Tracy is the cook, and together they have doubled down on the idea that meat loving Bakersfield is ready for a gluten-free diet. They have even patented a dairy, soy and gluten-free ice cream that is outstanding. Business is so good they are expanding to open a bakery next door. Let's wish them the best.