Editor, Manteca Bulletin
I would like to address the issue of shopping downtown Manteca.  I think that if residents took the time to visit the stores we do have downtown, that it would help a great deal in securing more shops to locate in the vicinity.
 There are several cute shops that I patronize.  These shops could very well be located in downtown Livermore or Lodi, but we have them right here in Manteca.  I’m talking about shops like Tiptons Gifts & Stationary, German Glas Werks, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Studio 150, I Remember When, Fantastic Collectibles and our newest addition, The Nested Owl Gifts & Collectibles.  There are others depending on what you’re looking for.  Once potential merchants see us supporting what we do have, they’ll be more likely to invest in our downtown.  By the way, every downtown I’ve visited has a homeless situation.  It doesn’t stop the visitors!
While I’ve ventured to write my first letter to the Editor, I’d like to clarify the article titled Grassroots Downtown Plan.  The plan outlined in the article is an example of what The Downtown Committee is working on and NOT the Downtown plan.  That being said, we are looking forward to creating something that will be beneficial for all involved and good for our community.

Joann Beattie
Manteca  Chamber
Executive Director