Tombstone (city) Info

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

There was some disappointment at Bordertown because the OK Cafe was not open. They are open now as is the Shotgun Cafe (in the RV park on Allen Street) for breakfast and lunch.

Locals told me the OK was recently remodeled and was ready to go, but they were waiting for the sign off on their final inspection. Apparently, there is but one building inspector (not sure if it is city, county or state) for the area. And when you notify them, that you are ready your name goes on the list, and you wait.

 

Much speculation about who owns what businesses in town. Big Nose Kate's, The Shady Lady's Closet, The Longhorn Restaurant, The Russ House Bed and Breakfast, and Tombstone Harley Davidson are all owned by the same group.

 

It is cliquish business-wise. Which is why the Chamber of Commerce will not promote Bordertown. Their reason is that vendors at big matches take business away from the town merchants. Yes, ridiculous. I have spoken with many merchants who have argued with the Chamber that they love the shooters and they are great for business. But they don't have the influence over the Chamber to persuade them otherwise. I would suggest that when in town you stop by the Tombstone Visitors Center (Allen at 4th St) and advise them that you would appreciate their support as YOU are supporting their town.

 

We have some super SASS supporting businesses that have been very generous to Bordertown and ask that you keep them in mind.

 

Bronco Trading on Allen is run by John and Maureen. Maureen is there often. John hangs out at home tinkering with his hotrods and motorcycles. Ask for Maureen.

 

Vintage Cowboys/Cowgirls on Allen also are very supportive of CAS. Ask for Marty. Very sweet lady.

 

Spirit of the West (5th St across from the Epitaph) is run by local artist (and city council member) Jimmy Green. Jimmy's studio is set up like an old west saloon with a gorgeous bar and backbar. His paintings are scenes of western films and other period subjects. Jimmy also works as an extra in films around the area. Ask him about the movie he worked with Jacqueline Bissett. He sometimes forgets to turn the sign on his door to say "open". Just knock. Super nice guy.

 

Salvatore Vineyards, right next to Big Nose Kate's, is a new wine tasting place. Tipsy, nice young lady, runs the place and her husband, Mike Dewsbury, is a very accomplished western artist. His work is displayed and it is awesome.

 

Cowboy Coffee on Toughnut between 3rd and 4th, has REAL cowboy coffee (think Kent Rollins) and fresh pastries.

 

Tombstone Brewery on Toughnut between 1st and 2nd has fantastic cheeseburgers on the patio. Along with craft brews.

 

Ok Corral gunfights are daily at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00.

 

At Bronco, Salvatore or Jimmy Green's feel free to use our names. I can almost guarantee they will have no recollection of Lawdog, but will remember Shortcake fondly. Story of my life. I just drive the truck. Maybe the brewery as well. Ask for Don the manager.

 

Enjoy your warmups and best of luck to all at EOT!

[Cotton Eye Joe]

The snippets I've heard of the Tombstone politics is fascinating. No clue on the validity of any of it, because it's usually he said/she said. But it's interesting to say the least. 

 

I'll definitely keep the SASS friendly businesses in mind.

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

I’d just like to see their Chamber of Commerce come around and support our matches.

[Creeker, SASS #43022]

13 minutes ago, Lawdog Dago Dom said:

I’d just like to see their Chamber of Commerce come around and support our matches.

Suggestion - turn the situation around.

Create a tangible tracking that shows how much the shooters bring into the town.

 

Ask your shooters to save ALL their receipts for purchases, meals, hotel stays, gasoline, visits to Boot Hill, admission to the rear of the Bird Cage, zip lines, Stagecoach rides etc.

 

Make copies - submit these to the Chamber of Commerce. 

Demonstrate the economic value of your matches to the town.

 

Ask the current pro SASS retailers to track who's buying in their shoppes and the impact.

 

Present that information to the Chamber of Commerce.

Remind them every shooter that is not actively being welcomed and recruited to Tombstone is still spending money; but it's going to Sierra Vista and Bisbee.

 

When Painted Lady and I make it down there...

Three to four nights at the Tombstone Grand  $350.00 or Katie's Cozy Cabins $500.

Gasoline purchased in town $75 

Snacks, candies, sodas from the gas station $30 (probably more, spread over four days - don't judge 😋)

Breakfast/ Dinner for two $80 (or more) daily.

Admission to OK Corral, buy a shirt, a "I'm your huckleberry" refrigerator magnet, maybe a bracelet, a hatband, a book and a leather key chain.  Another couple hundred $.

 

Call it $1000 for two of us over four days.

Meaning we have a daily impact of $125 each, daily.

Now I'm  cheap - we don't drink, we don't spend a lot on souvenirs and tourist trap admissions - so we are on the low side.

I'm betting the average is more like $250 each - daily.

 

The impact of an event like Bordertown with 300 shooters?

 

300 x $250 x Four days.

$300,000. 

 

Even if you discard 1/3 of the shooters because they aren't staying in Tombstone or are going home and not eating there, etc.

 

It is still nearly a quarter million dollars being dumped into the local economy.

 

That ought to be worth some consideration.

Edited February 10 by Creeker, SASS #43022

[Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428]

12 minutes ago, Creeker, SASS #43022 said:

Demonstrate the economic value of your matches to the town

That is a great idea!  Once given a presentation documenting actual facts, you have done everything you can do and hopefully they will give it serious consideration.  

 

Or, these are the kind of people who dont let facts get in the way of what they think.

[La Sombra]

3 hours ago, Lawdog Dago Dom said:

At Bronco, Salvatore or Jimmy Green's feel free to use our names. I can almost guarantee they will have no recollection of Lawdog, but will remember Shortcake fondly. Story of my life. I just drive the truck. Maybe the brewery as well. Ask for Don the manager.

Oh that's right. You're the van driver for that sweet cowgirl.

 

La Sombra

[Billy Boots, # 20282 LTG-Regulator]

Thanks for thread.  Good to know those things and a bit surprised as to "the culbrit" having met him before.  Standing room only so often at Kates in dates around Livery matches should make lots of people happy ($$$$).  I know Sassy and I have lots of fun in several places mentioned and have stayed some Inn on Allen street for many years.

Looking forward to it next week.

 

..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

19 minutes ago, La Sombra said:

Oh that's right. You're the van driver for that sweet cowgirl.

 

La Sombra

Yes!

And it's a job I highly recommend.

[SouthwestShooter]

19 hours ago, Lawdog Dago Dom said:

There was some disappointment at Bordertown because the OK Cafe was not open. They are open now as is the Shotgun Cafe (in the RV park on Allen Street) for breakfast and lunch.

Locals told me the OK was recently remodeled and was ready to go, but they were waiting for the sign off on their final inspection. Apparently, there is but one building inspector (not sure if it is city, county or state) for the area. And when you notify them, that you are ready your name goes on the list, and you wait.

 

Much speculation about who owns what businesses in town. Big Nose Kate's, The Shady Lady's Closet, The Longhorn Restaurant, The Russ House Bed and Breakfast, and Tombstone Harley Davidson are all owned by the same group.

 

It is cliquish business-wise. Which is why the Chamber of Commerce will not promote Bordertown. Their reason is that vendors at big matches take business away from the town merchants. Yes, ridiculous. I have spoken with many merchants who have argued with the Chamber that they love the shooters and they are great for business. But they don't have the influence over the Chamber to persuade them otherwise. I would suggest that when in town you stop by the Tombstone Visitors Center (Allen at 4th St) and advise them that you would appreciate their support as YOU are supporting their town.

 

We have some super SASS supporting businesses that have been very generous to Bordertown and ask that you keep them in mind.

 

Bronco Trading on Allen is run by John and Maureen. Maureen is there often. John hangs out at home tinkering with his hotrods and motorcycles. Ask for Maureen.

 

Vintage Cowboys/Cowgirls on Allen also are very supportive of CAS. Ask for Marty. Very sweet lady.

 

Spirit of the West (5th St across from the Epitaph) is run by local artist (and city council member) Jimmy Green. Jimmy's studio is set up like an old west saloon with a gorgeous bar and backbar. His paintings are scenes of western films and other period subjects. Jimmy also works as an extra in films around the area. Ask him about the movie he worked with Jacqueline Bissett. He sometimes forgets to turn the sign on his door to say "open". Just knock. Super nice guy.

 

Salvatore Vineyards, right next to Big Nose Kate's, is a new wine tasting place. Tipsy, nice young lady, runs the place and her husband, Mike Dewsbury, is a very accomplished western artist. His work is displayed and it is awesome.

 

Cowboy Coffee on Toughnut between 3rd and 4th, has REAL cowboy coffee (think Kent Rollins) and fresh pastries.

 

Tombstone Brewery on Toughnut between 1st and 2nd has fantastic cheeseburgers on the patio. Along with craft brews.

 

Ok Corral gunfights are daily at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00.

 

At Bronco, Salvatore or Jimmy Green's feel free to use our names. I can almost guarantee they will have no recollection of Lawdog, but will remember Shortcake fondly. Story of my life. I just drive the truck. Maybe the brewery as well. Ask for Don the manager.

 

Enjoy your warmups and best of luck to all at EOT!

GREAT POST.  THANKS 

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

btt

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

A few years ago when I was on my way to a shoot in Reno, I went via Tombstone.  (I live in Boston.)  Now, why did I go so far out of my way?

 

Well, to be honest, at least partly because I have a friend who lives in Tucson I was gonna visit for a couple of days, but even if he was not there, I would still have gone via Tombstone because I am a Cowboy Action Shooter.  If I were not, it would probably not occur to me to make such a side trip.  Reaching out to our community is just a good idea.

[Waimea]

Lawdog

I think stopping into the visitors center in full cowboy gear would be very persuasive.

Maybe even get a small group of cowboys together and make an appearance.

In fact there's an opportunity for this after the EOT practice matches coming up next weekend.

I'm in if you want to do it.

I guess it would be a cowboy FLASH MOB kind of thing.

VERY PERSUASIVE!

 

Also a letter or email campaign for out of towners that are interested in having their voices be heard.

 

Just a few ideas for you to think about.

Waimea

 

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

I like it! That and the idea proposed by @Creeker, SASS #43022 are very good suggestions. This thread has many good ideas.

I think that stopping by the visitor center, as well as our SASS supporting merchants named earlier would make an impact.

And chat with the merchants. Ask them how we can get the Chamber on our side.

It's a small town. Merchants will talk to the Chamber about how most of their shoppers are concerned.

I'd even talk to other merchants that are not listed.

The five businesses owned by the same group also need to hear from us.

I think once the Chamber realizes that this buzz is going around, they may rethink their position. Hopefully.

We are definitely "in", but our Tombstone pilgrimage isn't until October.

We do have an ally on the City Council, Jimmy Green. Chatting with Jimmy is always informative.

Be persuasive, be polite and be nice.

We need to win over anyone who is "on the fence."

[Waimea]

LDD

Sending you a private message.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

6 hours ago, Waimea said:

I think stopping into the visitors center in full cowboy gear would be very persuasive.

 

A Buntline Special on one hip, and a S&W American on the other,  That's what I plan to use when I finally get to go to a shoot there.

See my profile pic?  That's me in Tombstone standing by the "no guns allowed in town" sign.  The pistol is my Buntline.   The guy playing Wyatt in the reenactment that day was jealous cuz he didn't have one.

 

[Go West]

The wife and I like to stop in during the week to escape the crowds. If you go East through town, you'll find the Tombstone Antique Mall on the North side of the HWY. Lots of unique items there.

[Waimea]

11 hours ago, Go West said:

The wife and I like to stop in during the week to escape the crowds. If you go East through town, you'll find the Tombstone Antique Mall on the North side of the HWY. Lots of unique items there.

 

We went in there after a day of Bordertown.

That place is amazing!

I could have left a lot of money there.

Fortunately my better, wiser half was there to help me out the door.