Funny but we had looked into the old bowling alley a few years ago after seeing the leagues play on the 8 lanes in Stallion Springs. Also looked at reviving the golf facility on Woodford road. We toyed with a couple other ideas that would be family or youth orientated but couldn't put a good plan together to make it work out for us. So my wife still does her graphics work from home and I make the daily commute to Edwards. Hope you have better luck getting something going here.

Hi bunee

Merle Norman is a beauty supply as well as a hair salon in the Taco Bell parking lot.

Del Taco---not excited, I am sick of the mass amounts of Mexican food we have here I like Taco Samich because it's the most authentic. I would like to see more of a variety here. I love Chinese food (Grand China Buffet) is boring no change year after year,  (The Thai Palms) --I know its not Chinese but its close enough-- is to expensive once I craved orange chicken and paid 15.00 for chow mien and orange chicken for lunch because she won't make a reasonable lunch menu. How about fried chicken Churches, and Popeye’s  are just as good as KFC and are allot less to start up a franchise, better than Del Taco.

McGuire’s has pool tables, Red Caboose, South Fork in sorry no kids though I agree that the bowling ally would be a prime business but the cost is enormous to renovate that place and probably not worth it to any serious business.

I don't know about the laundry thing since I do mine at home, but I think a good laundry mat in Old Towne would do well. I was bummed about the new car wash --I STILL HAVE TO VACCUM IT MYSELFL ...I would have rather seen a full serve carwash come in, I hate washing my car.

There are some places here in town and in the surrounding areas which host large functions for parties one I Know of is next to Carden School we went to a work party there once.

Sorry I can't comment on a drive in I don't think a thing like that will work in the 21st century sad to say going to the drive in as a kid was fun. 

Overall I think there is allot to do here, we are a small town and if we continue to expand we will loose some of that small town charm so, you have to get involved and meet/make friends with similar interests, check out TCT they have an improve group that meets 2 times a month and then does a show once a month, or go to church activities if you are into that, there are groups that meet for a variety of activities all over (like tole painting on the 2nd Tuesday of the month- go to www.mistymountainpainters.com)  you just have to find them.

It takes time to get involved if your new to town, but when I first moved here I was told to get involved if I wanted to enjoy a small town, we came up from Riverside area 6 years ago, I love it here and the lack of big town things to do hasn't bothered me a bit. I even don't care that much about eating establishments it helps me keep my girlish figure if I can't go out every night (and believe me) if I can weasel out of cooking dinner I do. Hey since you like to cook have you thought of starting your own cooking group?? Just a thought.

Personally, I would like a Christian Singles...something.  Preferably an active group that does active things (like sports, outdoor activities, etc.).  Also, I'd like an adult soccer league (I've suggested it to Parks and Rec).

Noooooo LuvMyKatz!!!!!  We can't bring a Church's Chicken up here!!!  Not good to have people come up here to visit, then say, "Oh no!  A Church's Chicken!  Turn back!  We're driving into the ghetto!"  LOL!

I think a drive-in would be really cool though (stemming, of course, from my personal fear of movie theaters-- I'd love to see a movie before it's out on video).  Don't they have movies in the park during the summer though?

I know several people that go to Old Town Pizza because they have the game room there for the kids.  If they had good food, I think it would be a great place to go.

You guys are absolutely right, it's good to keep looking for resources.  I really love Tehachapi, I would just like to go somewhere I can take my kids that's not a "bar setting" of some type.  There are many things for the kids to do such as sports, music, theater, and I do like the concerts and movies in the park during the summer. 
Winter is a good time to go sledding and skiing.  However, when the weather gets cold, (and summer time too)  it would be nice to have a central location that can accommodate a lot of people(families) where they can play games and have a meal.  I'm sure it would be a welcome addition for the local people here, but would not draw  people from the freeway like Walmart certainly will!
Yes, there are far too many mexican restaurants, and it would be  nice to have some real chinese food. (if you know what I mean?)
I'm certainly Not suggesting that Chuck E Cheese move in.  The reason my family and I moved to Tehachapi was to get away from
a rapidly growing city.   Now this little town is growing at a quick pace, and I hope it will keep the small town feel.
What says small town like a drive in movie theater?  Why don't we have them anymore?

Isn't there an empty school building in town which probably has a large gym, with basketball hoops? Maybe another room which could be used for computing access? Or pool tables? Maybe a big TV or reading room? Are there some adult volunteers to monitor or conduct the activities? When Wal-Mart comes to town and K-Mart closes, use it for indoor paintball? The possibilities are endless - but if it's built, will they come??

As far as I can see there are only 2 reasons there are an overabundance of Mexican restaurants around here:

1) There is demand,
2) That is what the folks with the capital to start it up want to do.

That said, I never eat at the fast food places.  If I'm going to go out to eat, I like a real sit down restaurant with wait staff.  I always feel "blah" after eating any sort of fast food.

Madkow....I LUV Churches chicken it’s so greasy and good YUM!!! It’s better than KFC IMO. The closest I can get is the Savemart chicken, I guess it reminds me of one of my first jobs which was at Pioneer Chicken since then I have been hooked. I actually try to stay away from it though because it isn't good for my health but once in a while it’s great to forget what’s good for you and have some good old greasy chicken.

I have thought that a youth center would be great for our town, my sister in law runs one in Utah and has made quite a difference in the small town they are in (well its not so small anymore but when my husband lived there it was and that’s why he wanted to move here) and I think the kids that are young teens/adults need a place to feel part of the community so a community rec center would be something for City Council to think about.

Indoor Paintball???.....Hum VtKid that sounds like fun

 

Isn't there already a youth center in town?  I think one opened up fairly recently.  But one for families would be fun too!

Indoor paintball sounds really fun!  As long as you have a good course designed, I think there would be a pretty good market for that up here. 

Where's the old bowling alley?  I haven't noticed it before.

The old bowling alley is in the same building that Mountain Crossing and Red Caboose is in. The bowling alley has been closed for years.

Bummer, it always comes down to money.  When kids have nothing to do and no where to go entertain themselves, thats when the trouble and drugs start. :(

ogm i moved here when the roller rink was Goofy bar. But yes i remember the bowling alley. Bowled there many times. Was bummed out when it closed because that was really the only place to have fun in town.  I remember a pool hall or two that opened up but did not last long. Theres the pool at the high school,but thats only open in the summer. A new bowling alley would be great. But........

Luvmykatz...Hey, a youth center sounds like a great idea!  There are two schools that are empty in town that I know of...but I think Wells isn't up to code...I doubt the City is going to pay to get it up and running....they would've done that instead of building a new school.
What a waste.  If there is a youth center in town, where is it?
As much as I hate to admit it, it really is about the old mighty dollar.  How sad. 

I agree Scottso...I'm a big girl, but I rarely eat fast food.  The last time I ate at KFC it made me really sick.

OGM, I really appreciate the history about Tehachapi.  We've only been in Tehachapi a few years.  It's sad to think that those
times are gone.  I grew up in a little town called Lake Hughes...It's located in the West foothills of Lancaster.  My family still
lives there and it hasn't grown at all in the past 20 years!  Can you believe that?

I really think a youth center is the best idea so far!  I was hoping more activities would come along with the renovation
of the skate park.  I know they're going to revamp the swimming pool area...but these kids need more...with proper
supervision.  I'm getting way off subject as usual...but one discussion Always leads to another.
When we have ideas...how do we propose them to the City?

I do not usually post comments but here I go. I love the idea of having a bowling center here. I hope that we get one in a few years. I really like the idea of a drive in theater. I have great memories of going to the drive in but, I can only imagine how expensive that would be and with the attitude of young drivers out there, I do not know how fun it would be to go to the drive in with a bunch of kids in their cars that have more power in their sound systems (I can remember when it was called a radio) then under their hood. As far as dining, as a chef and a husband of a Chinese immigrate, I would love to see better quality in our dining establishments. Bunee, what do you mean by "real" Chinese food. I travel to China about every other year and I have eaten at many places and homes over the years. Most of what I ate would make most Americans get up and walk out. I always find it strange what people consider "real" ethnic food. When I was in Culinary school (Japanese culinary school), we had two kinds of food that we were taught how to make. One was Japanese and the other was American/Japanese. There is a huge difference! My family does not go out much, we prepare most everything at home. I love to cook. It is what I think about all day. The problem with the restaurants in town is that they are basically the same. Have you ever noticed how the US Food Service truck comes to town and stops at just about all the restaurants? They deliver the same pre-made frozen food to every other restaurant in town. These restaurants do not have chefs, they have cooks. A chef creates. A cook opens the bag of frozen fries and drops them in the fryer. Formal training is a plus but, a love of food and it's preparation is key. Many people ask me when I am going to open a place here in town. I tell them all the same thing, when the time is right and we have found the right spot, it will happen. I am in no rush to open. I have a successful catering business and I am even thinking of doing some "in house" personal chef/teaching again. I do know that when I do open, we will offer items that no other place in town does. Sorry to get off the subject but, when I talk about food, it is hard for me to stop. I think I will go and prepare something now, all this has got me hungry!

matokanji,  You asked me what I mean by "real Chinese food", but what I really meant to say, is that I'd like Chinese food
that is good quality meat without the fat, and fresh vegetables.  I'm picky when it comes to food, and I'm willing to pay money
for food that is worth paying for.  I'm not a fan of these buffet places because it's just a cheap way to feed a large quantity of
people, and make them think they're getting a good deal. 
So, now that I know what "Real Chinese Food" is, I Stand Corrected!
What is the name of your catering business? ... and what are the differences between Chinese and Japanese food?
To comment on your comment....You're right about these kids and their behavior and their loud music systems....
Maybe an outdoor amphitheater  with a huge movie screen would be a new idea for summer time shows?