Sonoma

Hi Brothers, I’m sure by now most of you have heard about Jack and how much he and his family need our help and prayers. It’s very simple but difficult at the same time Jack needs a life saving bone marrow transplant the issue is that there is no match for Jack in the International Bone Marrow registry.

“Our little Jack has been diagnosed with a very rare auto immune disorder. He is one of approximately 30 known cases in the world. So what this means is Jack cannot get sick, if he does his body will turn on him. The only cure and future for him is a bone marrow transplant. We are living in isolation until that happens.” Says Alex and Maddie Yankee Jacks loving and devoted parents.

But here is the problem, Jack has no match in the international bone marrow registry.

Doner Registration Drive

But here is the problem, Jack has no match in the international bone marrow registry.

His family is hoping to spread the word about Jack’s story in hopes a donor can be found. A donation registry drive will be held at the Sonoma Farmers Market on Tuesday, August 11th from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm.  People can also request a cheek swab kit at http://join.bethematch.org/teamjack. (Promo code: teamjack)

You can learn more about Jack’s story on the ‘Team Jack‘ website.

On August 10th if you had had a chance to open your Sonoma Valley Sun E-blast and gone to the “What’s Happening” section you would have had the pleasure of reading a very nice interview with our one and only Brother Dan Eraldi. Dan has been a rock of support, hard work, and dedication for the Sonoma 111 parlor and our community for some time now congrats to you and your family on a very nice article

Below is the interview by Larry Barnett

Eraldi’s is a real fixture on the Plaza. How did it begin?

My Grandfather David lived in Sonoma and owned the Star Saloon, which was just south of Depot Park on First Street West. He decided to start a Men’s store, and in 1922 opened Eraldi’s near where Della Santina’s is located today. Then he moved into the Pinelli Building, which he shared with Pinelli Hardware. Finally, he built this store on First Street West in 1959 and we’ve been here ever since. Back then negotiations ended with a handshake, that’s the way it was.

And your father Don took it over at some point?

Yeah, Dad started full-time when his mother pulled him out of High School at 15. His brother had joined the navy; it was during World War II. After 71 years at the store, Dad retired two years ago at 86 years old. I started working at the store part-time in 8th grade.

You guys start young. What did you do?

In the beginning I stocked shelves, straightened out, and just learned about the business. I worked part-time right through college and started working full-time in the 80s. The original store had mostly men’s wear, but also some ladies. It was an eclectic mix from the beginning; fine clothing mixed with work-ware. When I got into buying I wanted to try new things, but my Dad wanted to buy his usual lines. We worked it out. We still sell an awful lot of work boots and have long-time customers from all over the Bay Area.

How about these mounted stags and antlers?

They’re Dad’s. He loved to hunt and fish and I grew up eating venison, wild turkey and quail. We keep these trophies in the back office but people see them from the street windows and want to get up close. Happens every week.

Has the store changed?

Everything changes, but our product mix is essentially the same. Our customer base has changed. Nowadays we get more tourists; they are probably about 50 percent of our sales. I like them and they spend more than average. But we’ve always been about service, old-fashioned, personalized service. We measure, we fit; when people buy shoes we measure both feet! We’re kind of a throw-back, but we don’t want unhappy customers.

What else has changed?

People come in with their smart phones, take a photo of a pair of pants or scan a tag and do price comparisons. One guy came in and compared us with Zappos. Our price was $10 less and he couldn’t believe it. And the parking on the Plaza, now it’s three hours instead of two. That’s reduced the turnover and I hear other merchants complaining about its effect on local shoppers. The enforcement is too irregular. Business employees still take up a lot of spaces that should be for customers; we all park in back of the store.

How about a 4th generation running Eraldi’s?

I have two daughters, 24 and 21, both in nursing. Maybe one of them will marry someone interested in selling clothes. I figure I still have another 15 years; as long as I enjoy it and it’s still fun I will continue.