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October 8, 2010· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

Old & Tired : Saugus. The New Hotness : STANCH

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

Lately, the women in my life have been excited about certain new retail opportunities in the SCV.

What’s got them all hyped up?

Ross has opened a store in Stevenson Ranch. And Goodwill opened a few months ago just down the street on Pico Canyon Blvd. Urban Home took the old Levitz space, and the Valencia Marketplace and its ocean-sized parking lot, is humming once again. If Big Box retail is your thing, it can’t be beat.

Yes, but what does all this retail activity mean? Well, it’s not much of an exaggeration to say that Stevenson Ranch -or the STANCH as we call it here on SCVTalk- has become the new budget shopping destination for SCV, stealing that title from sleepy Saugus, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the 91381.

We know STANCH residents aren’t too happy about this development; these are the same people after all who were worried about what having a Goodwill on their doorstep meant for their community’s image (if they were worried about that, how do you think it makes me feel to have a 99cent store in my neighborhood?).

I’m just happy I won’t have to suffer long trips out to Saugus anymore. True, the STANCH still doesn’t have a Best Buy or Trader Joe’s, but the opening of STANCH Ross means I can at least go and gawk at the People of WalMart or feel multicultural & worldly at Cost Plus World Market while my wife tries on 38 pairs of shoes. At the Ross store in desolate, boring Saugus, I didn’t have that option.

I hope this exodus of budget shopping options from Saugus continues not only because I dislike visiting Saugus intensely, but because I want the STANCH to come down off its high horse and realize we’re all middle class here. Shopping in the STANCH serves another purpose too: when I’m mad at the City I consciously spend more money in the STANCH just to punish them.

If you haven’t tried it, you should, it’s a therapeutic and effective way to treat SCV civic angst.

Comments (73)

  1. OlenkaOctober 8, 2010 at 9:10 am
    Tell your wive that 38 shoes is not enough.
  2. OlenkaOctober 8, 2010 at 9:10 am
    haha. I can’t spell. WIFE* It’s been a long morning…
  3. townbeetOctober 8, 2010 at 9:25 am
    Not to mention that Marshall’s is just two doors down from the new Ross so “38 shoes” is teh understatement of the year.
  4. mikecOctober 8, 2010 at 11:05 am
    Real men don’t go shoe shopping with their wives!
  5. townbeetOctober 8, 2010 at 1:42 pm
    @mikec you are right, real men go shoe shopping with their husbands.
  6. mikecOctober 8, 2010 at 3:38 pm
    LOL!
  7. drive66October 8, 2010 at 9:25 am
    “desolate, boring Saugus” That’s what is so great about it! Please, everyone go to the Stanch, please!
  8. Daddy Joe GOctober 8, 2010 at 10:21 am
    Last thing we need is another renewed old town.
  9. mikeOctober 9, 2010 at 8:17 pm
    I hear ya. If it’s going to be desolate, at least keep it boring.
  10. Berta González-HarperOctober 8, 2010 at 9:29 am
    @Jeff the problem with shopping at the “Stanch” as you call it is, as you know, the City gets zero sales tax revenue from unincorporated Los Angeles County merchants so you are not just punishing “the City” but all of us. Some of the very things YOU complain about and ask the City for, such as more and better bike lanes and trails, are paid for with sales tax revenue. Tsk, tsk…
  11. MikeOctober 8, 2010 at 9:39 am
    (he was joking) Tags: Humor
  12. Berta González-HarperOctober 8, 2010 at 10:13 am
    @mike thanks for “splaning Desi”!
  13. MoneyOctober 8, 2010 at 10:00 am
    Seriously, Bertha. You should know better. Valencia Marketplace is part of the city.
  14. Berta González-HarperOctober 8, 2010 at 10:12 am
    @Monkey seriously it is NOT part of the City. Newhall Land specifically had that commercial center excluded from annexation into City. Try to keep up…
  15. MoneyOctober 8, 2010 at 10:28 am
    Monkey…hahaha. So it’s OK to call other people names as long as no one calls you names. Do as I say, not as I do, Big Bertha? Is that it?
  16. Berta González-HarperOctober 8, 2010 at 10:34 am
    Oh, I get it Monkey. You can disrespect me by intentionally misspelling my name, but take exception when I return the favor. Figures…Monkey see, monkey do do.
  17. Daddy Joe GOctober 8, 2010 at 11:43 am
    I think I’m starting to get it now. Here in the city we don’t choose restaurants for the food, or merchants by any quality/cost ratio, but rather by where they are located relative to the city line. We must support the mediocrity of our business establishments because competition would only force them to improve, and we can’t have that.
  18. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 9:38 am
    Whenever DB starts running off about how wonderful and rich STANCH is I think of those tony retail establishments like Wal Mart, Ross, Marshalls, and Cost Plus and those up market restaurants like Claim Jumper, Chili’s and Macaronis. Mr. Bossert, don’t dis Canyon Country because West LA is laughing at STANCH!
  19. Berta González-HarperOctober 8, 2010 at 10:31 am
    @Tim, no one should dis Canyon Country. Where did Bossert do that? Isn’t that disrespecting stuff what he chides Frank Ferry about? “Stanch” is not Bel Air anyway. Besides, since we are so rough and tumble anyway, I can beat Dave up any time. Stop bagging on my “hood”!
  20. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 11:19 am
    Berta: Don’t you remember years ago when he wrote the blog entry about how Santa Clarita wanted to annex STANCH to take their tax money and use it to suppress crime in the lawless outlands of CC? I think that earns Bossert at least a month long ban from Rattlers!
  21. Berta González-HarperOctober 8, 2010 at 11:57 am
    @Tim I do not remember that conversation but Bossert should be banned from Canyon Country until he apologizes if he really said that! We are listening Dave…
  22. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 12:32 pm
    Berta: Here is the evidence!! Nothing ever leaves the internet! http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CANYON+COUNTRY+CRIME+HOTBED%3F+WESTSIDE+MAN+LAYS+INTO+EAST+SIDE+AS+WEST…-a0161584177
  23. Berta González-HarperOctober 8, 2010 at 1:15 pm
    @Tim thanks for the link. As fate would have it, guess what I just received? An email reminder invitation to a reception for Steve Cooley at Robinson Ranch Golf Club in CANYON COUNTRY sponsored by DAVE BOSSERT so I guess Dave will be around us riff raff in the “cornucopia of crime” on Wednesday October 13th. You need to apologize Bossert for your ignorant remarks!! I hope some crazed canyonite doesn’t jump him while he is in our “crime ridden” area of Robinson Ranch…
  24. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 1:35 pm
    Hopefully Dave will have some adult diapers because he will be spending the whole time in pants peeing fear of meth heads and drive by shootings!
  25. IHeartSCVOctober 8, 2010 at 9:39 am
    Mr. J-to-the-Wilson: I like the name “Stanch”, but I’m not sure if I’m pronouncing it correctly. Long “a” or short “a”? Hard “ch”–like the Germans do–or soft “ch”? Essentially, is it pronounced “STAYNK” (rhymes with “skank”) or “STANCH” (rhymes with “blanch”)? Thank you.
  26. NickelDimeOctober 8, 2010 at 10:27 am
    Now — are you referring to Sauguson Ranch ?
  27. drive66October 8, 2010 at 11:08 am
    People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
  28. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 12:33 pm
    IHeart: I think it should rhyme with “ranch.”
  29. Your Web GuruOctober 8, 2010 at 9:43 am
    As a recent STANCH transplant, I have found a diversity of residents that beats Saugus all to heck (gosh darnit). And I was a 17 year Saugus resident. The Valencia Marketplace is technically in Santa Clarita despite its zip code (Valencia 91381, look it up) so Ross and any other retail outlet on that side of The Old Road is in fact providing city tax revenues.
  30. MikeOctober 8, 2010 at 10:11 am
    Money & Web Guru: Valencia Marketplace is not part of the city. Look at any map with city boundaries, like this one: http://www.scenterprisezone.com/_pdf/ezone_tea.pdf
  31. MoneyOctober 8, 2010 at 10:31 am
    My bad. I just thought that there’s actually been discussions about this on this site before that Valencia Marketplace is part of the city. Am I wrong, Jeff?
  32. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 10:32 am
    Money and Your Web Guru: Mike is right and you cats are ill informed.
  33. Your Web GuruOctober 8, 2010 at 10:43 am
    I’m looking at this map from the Santa Clarita city website that shows the city boundary at the Old Road: http://www.santa-clarita.com/index.aspx?page=25 When I look at the map you linked to (Scenterprisezone) I see the enterprise zone encompasses that section of the Old Road. What am I missing?
  34. gregOctober 8, 2010 at 10:57 am
    All: Valencia Marketplace is not in Santa Clarita. The western boundary of the City is Interstate 5. It is clearly depicted on the maps page on the City’s website. That shopping center is also the 2nd biggest sales tax revenue generator for the County. The County will fight hard to keep it in the County. Remember the name Valencia is trademarked to Newhall Land and Farming and areas that are developed by them have the name Valencia included. Some developments lie in the City and some do not such as Valencia Marketplace and Valencia Commerce Center
  35. townbeetOctober 8, 2010 at 10:58 am
    If you zoom in at that map, you might notice that the boundary is actually the I5.
  36. MikeOctober 8, 2010 at 11:01 am
    Not sure where you’re seeing this. The city is shown in light gray, roads, creeks and freeways are white and unincorporated areas are dark gray.
  37. Hannah77October 8, 2010 at 11:03 am
    Your Web Guru- I’m looking at the map you referenced and it clearly shows Interestate 5 as the border and the Enterprise Zone stops at I-5. Maybe you’re confusing The Old Road as Interstate 5??? Its clearly outside of the city and enterprise zone.
  38. Your Web GuruOctober 8, 2010 at 11:01 am
    I stand totally owned! I reviewed the maps again, scratched my head, and then did the old school thing and actually picked up a phone and called the city’s Economic Development Division, who informed me in their own professional way that Mike and Tim Myers (and Berta) are correct. There are a lot of people in this valley who are misinformed on that subject, and I thank you for helping me clear that up. In any case, I LOVE the STANCH, its proximity within a short walking distance to 3 great parks for my dogs, their lovely manicured green belts, the free ‘doggie-pot’ poop bag stands that dot the area, the diverse people I see on the street and in my neighborhood, AND….the shopping!!
  39. JcastilloOctober 8, 2010 at 11:16 am
    I agree…Stevenson Ranch is great. I dont mind that others call it the STANCH. They’re just jealous. The people are great and I agree with you Your Web Guru. There just seems to be a bit more diversity of people here.
  40. Berta González-HarperOctober 8, 2010 at 11:52 am
    @YWG it is nice of you to include me in those who got this one right especially since I know we are “combatants”. I mean it!
  41. MikeOctober 8, 2010 at 11:05 am
    Best thing about the STANCH is the pedestrian bridge to nowhere (Old Rd.). I have NEVER seen anyone use it.
  42. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 11:20 am
    I walked across it once. It was like the places in the Rocky Mountains where you stand on the continental divide.
  43. Your Web GuruOctober 8, 2010 at 11:21 am
    Actually that bridge dumps peds out near the Starbucks, where we STANCHIES like to stroll to and pay too much for coffee. Or if we’re in the mood for other trendy chain treats, we might veer toward Jamba Juice instead where we pay too much for a smoothie.
  44. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 12:47 pm
    An interesting history behind that bridge. In 1996 when the Valencia Market Place was built it was virulently opposed by the then STANCH Town Council (different people but no less nutty than the current collection). Something about brown people would come to the Wal Mart and then murder all the STANCHIES in their sleep on the way back to Pacoima. (I’m not kidding!) The approved plans called for the bridge but the STANCH Town Council asked that it not be installed. One STANCH Town Council member told me personally that the bridge was a waste because NO ONE from STANCH would patronize the businesses in the hated Valencia Market Place. Newhall Land and the County were ready to oblige but SCOPE insisted the bridge be installed pursuant to the plan or they threatened legal action, primarily just to take $500 to $750K out of Newhall Land’s pockets.
  45. ReaderMamaOctober 8, 2010 at 3:30 pm
    I’m betting the bridge gets more use now that there are senior apartments nearby.
  46. SusanOctober 8, 2010 at 6:56 pm
    Um helloooo What is this STANCH? The name is Radsville people!
  47. Your Web GuruOctober 8, 2010 at 7:32 pm
    Actually, this is what I proposed for the rest of the valley once Awesometown was approved. I’m still awaiting my phone call from City Hall!
  48. Your Web GuruOctober 8, 2010 at 7:33 pm
    Let’s try that again: http://yourwebguru.net/awesometown.jpg
  49. Bill ReynoldsOctober 9, 2010 at 11:03 am
    This silly anecdotal report comes from 30′s something liberal who resides in a high density condo complex on the wrong side of the tracks within the bowels of Newhall. Very amusing…
  50. NickelDimeOctober 9, 2010 at 1:49 pm
    …and yet, you can’t stop reading and commenting.
  51. Bill ReynoldsOctober 9, 2010 at 7:39 pm
    Consider yourself owned! Ha!
  52. NickelDimeOctober 9, 2010 at 8:31 pm
    Right. You really know your way around a keyboard, Bill.
  53. Gang FangOctober 10, 2010 at 5:52 am
    Penis pump fail you again, Bill? Tough break.
  54. Bill ReynoldsOctober 10, 2010 at 6:48 am
    Still acting like a 15 year old, eh Fungus.
  55. Gang FangOctober 10, 2010 at 10:01 am
    I know how you love it so. Just trying to please my man.
  56. Bill ReynoldsOctober 10, 2010 at 1:18 pm
    Like I told you before sonny… I’m not gay.
  57. Gang FangOctober 10, 2010 at 8:01 pm
    You called me sonny. My heart just skipped a beat!
  58. DamageincOctober 12, 2010 at 9:09 am
    Sorry Nd for teaching him a new phrase… because I own him! ——> Hey Billy wax my car punk
  59. mikeOctober 9, 2010 at 2:27 pm
    You’re off by several miles, it turns out. But nice try.
  60. Bill ReynoldsOctober 9, 2010 at 7:39 pm
    How so, Mike?
  61. mikeOctober 9, 2010 at 8:14 pm
    You got bad info. Those in the know, know otherwise.
  62. Bill ReynoldsOctober 10, 2010 at 6:47 am
    Uh-huh… sure bet Mike.
  63. DamageincOctober 12, 2010 at 9:11 am
    Either way master blogger didn’t sue and shake down anyone to live where he lives.
  64. KimOctober 9, 2010 at 11:48 am
    If you happen to make it waaaaay up Bouquet Canyon Rd to Plum, you should stop in at Rock Candy Music and The Toyko Store.
  65. Gang FangOctober 10, 2010 at 5:51 am
    YES.
  66. JasonOctober 9, 2010 at 11:49 am
    Does anyone know where the fire is?
  67. ReaderMamaOctober 9, 2010 at 12:10 pm
    KHTS reporting there is a brush fire at Sierra Hwy. & Newhall Ave. hometownstation.com
  68. SCV SageOctober 9, 2010 at 1:16 pm
    Okay you have STANCH, Awesometown, Saugustown, but folks in light of the City Council antics from the likes of McLean, Weste, FrankenFerry, and Ender, as well as the manipulation and behind the scenes doings of Pulskamp (Caravalho’s protege) and Company — we really need a new name for the City of Santa Clarita — so how about The City of Santa “Bell”arita?
  69. NickelDimeOctober 9, 2010 at 1:42 pm
    As upset as many are (including me), relating the City of Bell with the City of Santa Clarita is a bullet best reserved for something much more egregious.
  70. SCV SageOctober 9, 2010 at 1:54 pm
    More is coming — which will make the Bell incident seem like chump change.
  71. CCOctober 10, 2010 at 11:06 am
    Nobody gets a tagline as good as Awesometown! Hate to say it Jeff, but as much as you continually try to make Newhall elitist, it has a long way to go before people go there at night.
  72. mikeOctober 10, 2010 at 11:39 am
    Clearly, someone has never been to Las Delicias.
  73. JayceOctober 11, 2010 at 8:29 am
    Call SR whatever you want in my head it’ll forever be Stiffensonranch

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