Re-naming an institution – Taylor’s Refresher is now Gott’s Roadside
Posted on 07. Apr, 2010 by admin in Local Light
In a series of press releases (below), news broke that the St Helena (and now, Napa and San Francisco) institution called Taylor’s Automatic Refresher will now be known as Gott’s Roadside Tray Gourmet. Owners, and local Napa developers, Joel and Duncan Gott, assure fans of their fare that the food will remain the same — just the name has changed.
Rumors swirl as to exactly why the name did change. Some say it was to add their surname to a successful family venture, others say it was to avoid franchise restrictions in towns that don’t allow chains, still others say it was to quell any requests for loyalties from a family who sold their business years ago. Despite the politics of the situation, Gott’s will remain an institution, as is testified by the hundreds, if not thousands of people, who still wait in line each day for a pistachio milkshake, sweet potato fries, ahi burger or cold beer at their favorite roadside attraction..
St. Helena, CA – March 24, 2010 – The family that founded St. Helena’s historic Taylor’s Refresher restaurant 60 years ago and still owns the rights to the name expressed outrage today at Napa Valley developers Joel and Duncan Gott for abruptly and unlawfully changing the name of the business.
Jean Taylor Nicholson, 83, and Virginia Taylor Toogood, 80, the daughters of Taylor’s Refresher founder Lloyd “Popsy” Taylor, said the Gotts’ exploitive actions will wipe out the good name of their father’s original drive-in and its place in St. Helena history dating back to 1949.
“We are shocked and angered by this announcement and will fight to protect our family name and reputation,” said Virginia Toogood. “Taylor’s Refresher has a long and cherished history in St. Helena that will be irreparably damaged by this. This is like changing the name of the Martini Winery, the French Laundry or any other historic business in our community without consent. It’s not right. We own the property and the name, not the Gotts.”
The Gotts announced today they are changing the name of the restaurant to Gott’s Roadside Tray Gourmet “for legal reasons,” a reference to a four-year trademark infringement case they forced upon the sisters by opening Taylor’s restaurants in San Francisco and Napa without consent, which they have admitted in legal proceedings.
The U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled in 2008 that the sisters are the legal and rightful owners of the trade name and mark “Taylor’s Refresher” and that the Gotts are using the name in St. Helena under a license from the sisters. The Gotts’ appeal of the ruling against them is pending in federal court in San Francisco. The Gotts also announced they are changing the names of their San Francisco and Napa restaurants.
Generations of local residents and travelers have patronized the hamburger stand that Popsy Taylor first opened at 933 Main Street in 1949. Virginia and her late husband, Charley Toogood, took over the restaurant in 1968 and, with other family members, operated it for the next 30 years. In 1999, the sisters leased Taylor’s Refresher to the Gotts, who renovated it before reopening as both Taylor’s Refresher and Taylor’s Automatic Refresher. Over the next five years, the revitalized restaurant grew in popularity to enthusiastic crowds.
Then in 2004, Nicholson and Toogood were surprised and embarrassed to learn from friends that the Gotts were about to open a new Taylor’s Automatic Refresher at the Ferry Building Marketplace in San Francisco. Three years later, the Gotts opened a third Taylor’s Automatic Refresher in the Oxbow Public Market on First Street in Napa.
While Nicholson and Toogood receive percentage-based lease payments from the original St. Helena restaurant, they have received nothing from the Gotts for the use of the name in San Francisco or Napa. The sisters want to protect their trademark, name and value of the St. Helena restaurant for their families and heirs.
Skateparks, in Wine Country?
Posted on 10. Mar, 2010 by admin in Local Light
NEED KID BAIT? GO SKATE!
Kids aren’t always excited as their Grands when the time comes for a visit, but maybe they’ll take the right bait. One of the lures offered in the Napa Valley is (like, totally) awesome skateboarding.
In downtown Napa, at the corner of Pearl and Yajome, is the Napa Skateboard Park. No one would call this concrete jungle world class, and in fact the city is looking at building a replacement. But it’s a comfortable skate for novices and journeymen, with enough humps and bumps to challenge. On the same lot is a toddler playground. There are no benches in either area, so Grands keeping watch might want to take their own lawn chairs.
At the other end of the valley is the Calistoga Skateboard Park. Located at 1305 Washington, the park boasts street ramps and grind rails.We haven’t been there yet. Have you?
Star of the valley is the new St. Helena Skatepark that just opened in October ’09. It’s located in Crane Park (Crane & Grayson Aves.), which offers activities for the whole family (bocce, playground, tennis, picknicking, etc.).
With some pretty scary looking drop-ins, the park actually served our family skaters – aged 7 to 30-something – very well. We were surprised to find “Officer Friendly” on duty. Although not a skater, he kept an alert eye on the diverse crowd sharing the concrete playground.
Oh yes. One of the things all three parks have in common is the requirement for helmets and pads – both knee and elbow. And just because you’re a dad who learned your moves more than 25 years ago, don’t think that rule doesn’t apply to you. As the officer quietly reminded our 30-something, he’s a role model for the entire park.
About that gear: We wanted an early start, so found the pads and headgear we needed for my 8-year-old granddaughter at Target (Trancas & the 29) – reasonably priced and style acceptable! But we’ve also poked into more specialized local shops, such as Boardgarden in both Napa and St. Helena.
And even if you don’t have time or inclination to head to the parks, Kohl’s in downtown Napa carries a fun line of Tony Hawk shirts for kids of all ages. Who’s Tony Hawk? Perhaps the world’s best-known skateboarder. Now that I’ve fact-checked myself on line, I realize there are also Hawk hoodies, shoes, wallets, pants and backpacks at Kohl’s. For those SoCal grandkids, the lure may now be the shop – as much as the skate!
Either way, they’ll be stoked.
Napa Valley Olive Oil Company
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by admin in Local Light
Most people come to the Napa Valley to experience the wine, the weather, the laid-back lifestyle, and the great culinary treasures. In fact, these are probably the same reasons many of us decide to stay.
It’s always fun to find a surprise a little off the beaten path that has been there forever, but is entirely new to you. One such place is the Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company, housed in an old barn in St Helena, just east of the landmark Tra Vigne restaurant, at the end of Charter Oak Avenue.
This little gem has been around for over 30 years, and is the best place to pick up deli meat, breadsticks, cheese and obviously, olive oil from a family-owned, authentic Italian deli.
Directions:
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Authentic Mexican at Azteca Market
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 by admin in Local Light
Located at the south end of Main Street in St Helena, the Azteca Market is the most authentic place (north of La Luna) to pick up real mexican peppers, cheeses, meats and cold cervezas.
They also serve amazing carnitas and burritos from their deli counter and offer a huge selection of hot sauces to take home with you.
Azteca also offers catering if you are throwing an event in the Napa Valley and would like to bring the party home..
Directions:
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