Ken the Bug Guy moving to Tucson

[thebugwife]

Something new and waaaaay less expensive then the San Francisco Bay area.
When it comes right down to it - Its hard to make a living off bugs to begin with and we have done a pretty good job I think.
But if we stayed in the Bay Area we would always be struggling and never get ahead.
Our current shop is a 1000sq ft warehouse in an industrial park, The new shop is 2400sq ft store front on a major street, we could never afford this back home! Same goes for our house!
I am really excited!
There were lots of other places to go but we don't do snow!!! and well Tucson and its sky islands and convergence of 3 deserts makes for great critter hunting!
Tucson ranks as the 33rd largest city in the US so it is like being in the boonies but with every amenity you can think of we need our amenities! and yet a 10 min drive will get you to the middle of nowhere we like BFE!

Extra plus ATS and SASI Conferences are currently held here!


So all around it seemed like a good choice for our family!

 

[BrettG]

SE Arizona is an amazing place,as I am sure you know.Tuscon is also in a great location,with SD,LA,PHX and Vegas all a short drive away.CA just does not seem worth it to me.You guys should check out the Mogollon Rim.Great places to collect and just relax.So many people think Az is nothing but desert,and they could not be more wrong..This is probably one of the most diverse states in the country.

 

[thebugwife]

I cant say I don't miss CA and while many people across the county think its a stigma to be Californian, I am one of those proud Cali Wackos! I will miss the Ocean! But its pretty awesome here and yes, amazingly diverse!

and on a silly side note....it snowed here today::

 

[BrettG]

Maybe you guys can help jump start the hobby in Az. The Phx tarantula scene hardly has a pulse it seems like...

 

[WickedInverts]

Maybe you guys can help jump start the hobby in Az. The Phx tarantula scene hardly has a pulse it seems like...

Tucson's scene was also dead... Till now.

 

[Bill S]

There were lots of other places to go but we don't do snow!!!

Hmmm..... Are you aware that we got snow here today? (In Vail, just southeast of Tucson) I took some people into Colossal Cave around noon. Relatively clear skies when we went in. But when we came back up to the surface it was snowing heavily enough that we could not see across the valley below us. Fortunately, the snow in the Tucson area is brief. By this evening there are only a few tiny patches around to remind us of the early afternoon's weather.

 

[thebugwife]

and on a silly side note....it snowed here today::

Yup it was freaking cold too! We have to come visit soon Bill! Ran into Warren at the Mineral show

 

[catfishrod69]

you should live in this crappy state called ohio. yesterday it was about 20. this morning it was snowing like mad. this afternoon it was raining like mad, and tomorrow its suposed to be 40s and sunny. crazy. its the only place on earth where you need your heater/jacket, and air conditioner/muscle shirts all in one day.

Hmmm..... Are you aware that we got snow here today? (In Vail, just southeast of Tucson) I took some people into Colossal Cave around noon. Relatively clear skies when we went in. But when we came back up to the surface it was snowing heavily enough that we could not see across the valley below us. Fortunately, the snow in the Tucson area is brief. By this evening there are only a few tiny patches around to remind us of the early afternoon's weather.

 

[Galapoheros]

As goes California, so goes the rest of the US, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Cali is the trend-setter along with it's sister state, Illinois, those two most liberal states are in the most trouble. The gov makes people pay for the nice enviro in Cali. I know it's a thorn to point out the politics of it but how can the far left socialist democrat not see the flaw in their views when the two most far left states are in the most trouble? Big gov sucks and eventually runs out of other people's money. Nice to see you escape!

 

[thebugwife]

you should live in this crappy state called ohio. yesterday it was about 20. this morning it was snowing like mad. this afternoon it was raining like mad, and tomorrow its suposed to be 40s and sunny. crazy. its the only place on earth where you need your heater/jacket, and air conditioner/muscle shirts all in one day.

I don't see any air conditioner weather in that report:wink:
but I was also whining about it being a high of 54 here today, that's ^ just tooooooo cold!

Someone else referred to us as "Refugees from California" haha

Galapoheros - don't even get me started on California Politics I could go on all night about those problems! It's so much easier and cheaper to run a business here. AZ may not be in the greatest state economically, and one of the
foreclosure capitals of the US, but I don't need a Job and I do need a House so its a WIN!

 

[Kungfujoe]

I live about 50 miles from ken and driven there numerous occations. His shop is awesome and always worth the drive.. >< Sad to see him move.

 

[Bill S]

Someone else referred to us as "Refugees from California" haha

Well, you're in good company. I escaped from California in '74 (Los Angeles area) and Warren fled only in the past year (Bay area). I'm making one of my rare visits to California this weekend (Bay area) and will be happy to get back home to Arizona afterward.

And yes, we need to get together soon. Are you around your new shop much? I might stop by sometime when I'm in town. And we should get you out to our place near Colossal Cave too.

 

[thebugwife]

Have fun in the Bay Bill! We should get the keys to the shop this week sometime and then yes we will probably be around a lot, there is quite a bit of work to do before the critters get here

 

[Philth]

Im going to try to hit up the ATS conferance this year, it would be cool to stop by and check it out. Good luck with the move.
Later, Tom

 

[pocock1899]

Congratulations on the move!

Really looking forward to this years ATS Conference as an excuse to see your shop!

You can make a booming business just by offering to ship the raffle spiders home for folks, ...for a nominal fee!

 

[Quazgar]

you should live in this crappy state called ohio. yesterday it was about 20. this morning it was snowing like mad. this afternoon it was raining like mad, and tomorrow its suposed to be 40s and sunny. crazy. its the only place on earth where you need your heater/jacket, and air conditioner/muscle shirts all in one day.

You should try here in NC where it will be in the 30's one day and 70's the next

 

[Bill S]

Stopped by the local reptile shop to get some crickets today. The woman at the counter told me in a very excited manner that Ken the Bug Guy was setting up shop here in Tucson. Looks like word is getting around.

 

[thebugwife]

Which shop Bill? I think we have been to 2 of the 3 here in town...there are only 3 right?

We have shipped stuff home for people for the past 3 yrs of the conference pocock1899, this time it will just be easier! An of course we will have a better selection this year and I am sure some daily rides up to the shop, its about 15min from the Hilton

And thanks everyone for all the congrats, lets hope when the time comes Ken has a smooth drive with a u-haul full of Ts!

 

[Bill S]

Which shop Bill?

Reptile Solutions on Speedway.

 

[killy]

Did he say why he was moving?

LOL - same reason so many others are seeking higher ground! And Governor Moonbeam wants to raise taxes again!