[ back ]
The Newcomer
(by Della Bacon - December 18, 2007)
Shirt Tree
One of the things I like best about shopping in downtown Oroville is that most of the merchants care about one another so much they are able to make recommendations on where to find what. (Their motto: "If we don't have it, we'll get it!"). It was Kay, at "Afternoon Delights," who told me to take my computer problems to Dane, the computer man at "Dot.Com." Later, it was Dane at "Dot.com," who insisted I get everything personalized next door at "The Shirt Tree." (And, if I needed to know anything about local businesses, the owners, Ray and Cathy Nelson, could and would enlighten me.)
With such a wonderful referral, how could I not want to stop by "The Shirt Tree" on Bird Street? Dane was right, I found Ray and Cathy Nelson happy to chat. The first thing they told me is that they were from the "old-school." They got married, had children, then went into business. I learned that "The Shirt Tree" had been around town for 31 years. (And the young couple had literally raised their four children right in the store, diapers and all, as they conducted business.) The business has grown considerably, and they have back-up orders for personalizing almost anything, with three magic machines in operation. They do custom embroidery, screen and silk print.
Mom, Arlene Wallace, started the business as a hobby, with only a heat print and lettering machine, in a tiny little store, across from "Jerry's Market" (now known as Robertson's Market). It only took two years for the hobby to blossom into a booming business. That's when the young Nelson family began to take over. Each developed an unplanned trade. Their work is awesome and personal. If you haven't been there, drop by their new store. Ray and Kathy Nelson are full of all sorts of ideas, on gift giving for someone on your gift list.
Talking about the former "Jerry's Market," did you know that Jerry still personally prepares his famous sausage? And it is available at Robertson's Market? What a fantastic treat it was for me to discover the sausage. What a treat! I will be back for more.
[ back ]
