City of Escondido to Close Senior Center Craft Shop?

Escondido resident Ann McDonald appeared before the city council on November 17 in order to urge reconsideration of the decision to close down the gift/craft shop at the Joslyn Senior Center, which has been open for the past 28 years.

“You can never find all the things that you can find in this gem — anywhere,” said McDonald.

The City sent a letter to the shop’s volunteer manager, Ruth Pickard, in late October to tell her of the plans to close the shop. According to McDonald, the City intends to use the space for a meeting room and offered Pickard a “much smaller” place to relocate the craft shop.

Mcdonald contends that the City has more options for meeting rooms, whereas the craft shop would be forced to limit their inventory if moved to a smaller location.

According to McDonald, 140 craftspeople sell their wares at the shop — mostly senior citizens on Social Security. The sale of goods helps supplement their fixed income.

“There are many people who wish that this craft shop remain open in the location that exists in,” she said. “My wish is that you visit it, look at it, and keep it open.” McDonald presented the council with a list of 210 names and signatures of people who support her plea.

According to a story published in the North County Times, the shop makes about $1000 a month, and the money goes directly to seniors.