Rooster call
Sean Haggai
In the San Fernando Valley, local coffee digs are hard to come by. Lucky for me, I ditched the hustle and bustle of the Panera Bread eatery in favor of a more secluded corner coffee shop that serves up fresh baked goods and coffee, and even provide free wireless internet service. This means I can write as if I were at home or in the office and even get my cup of Joe as well; besides, it's delicious. It's the sort of place where the coffee techs (I refuse to call them baristas) know you by name and begin preparing your favorite coffee drink.
So why the change from a mainstream, corporate place to a locals only spot? Simply, I've never been a huge fan of the high volume of people that rotate through Starbucks like robots. To me, they all look a little stiff. At Gayle's Perks coffee shop you can pop in, grab your usual seat, and moments later your steamy drink arrives. I'm also a super-fan of their black tea. Perks serves up a very refreshing iced tea that's hard to beat. No, its not sweet-tea, but it gets the job done. At that point, it doesn't feel like work anymore and more like a great social hangout. It's sort of comical to see the same exact patrons there day after day. They must be doing something right. Either way, I can't tell enough people about this place and they serve some of the most delicious Panini style sandwiches I've ever had. Believe it or not, a lot of the edit you see from me has been hashed out here at Perks.
As I get older, the virtues of traditional mom and pop shops are becoming more important to me. I've always been a huge supporter of buying parts and services from local speed shops, but now that has expanded to other goods and services. It doesn't take much effort either; it just takes being more aware of what's local and a conscious effort on our part to patronize them.
In the end, I believe paying attention to local businesses will keep more of them around. Going a bit further, it's the same for our industry. This means visiting local newsstands for any printed literature. This also helps to keep magazines on the newsstands for all to be enjoyed and allows us to keep doing what we are doing. I think I'll take that turkey Panini now.
Department Of Corrections
Back in the August issue, we showcased the complete AutoRad radiator assembly ("Totally Cool," pg.46) being installed onto our Project F73 Camaro. In the caption, we inadvertently listed the bushing as a urethane piece. It's actually a core support mount (accessory component) supplied by Detroit Speed with their body mount kit. These trick pieces are CNC machined from billet aluminum, which are then hardcoated to resist corrosion and include their CNC machined stainless steel bevel washers. We even went with the optional 17-4 stainless steel flanged body bolts. For more information, head over to detroitspeed.com or call them directly at 704.731.0989.
Classic Industries Extends Hours
At a time when many restoration parts retailers are cutting back on customer service, Classic Industries is bucking the trend by offering greater service than ever. To better serve its customers as the world's largest distributor of GM restoration parts and accessories Classic Industries has extended its business hours! Beginning in June, Classic Industries will open its call center two hours earlier, now available from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday. Their Saturday call center hours will remain unchanged, opening from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PST. Classic Industries hopes this move will better serve customers who were either previously unable to order over the phone due to scheduling or time zone differences. You can also check them out online at classicindustries.com