Plakias Forums

Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: Chas on October 30, 2008, 03:51:40 PM

Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Chas on October 30, 2008, 03:51:40 PM
Sadly,  Ali & Dave have had to close "The Village Store"
 - not their business decision
    - it was down to a large dose of "Greek family business needs".

The big problem for the immediate future is that they don't have a direct internet connection .... any messages will be picked up/answered on a hit-&-miss,  as and when basis.

On the positive side, Ali was still putting in a few hours for Alianthos Car Hire ...

.... and may be the resident Olympic Rep., next year, if the planned expansion of accommodation offered by Olympic goes ahead.  
{Note: Edwina may also be moving on to Chania, subject to expansion there.  (Plus, it's her home base, anyway.)}
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: George on October 30, 2008, 04:05:23 PM
Well that was bad news and good news Chas!

Where did you get the info about Ali and Dave?
Sad to see the shop go. It won't be the same without seeing Dave there behind the counter, do you know what their short term plan is?
I'm sure everyone here wishes them the very best whatever they do!!

Planned expansion by Olympic, not before time is it? They've got the monopoly for budget holidaymakers so should be cashing in on it.
Anything on their website, I wonder, I'll have a look!!

george g...
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Chris H. on October 30, 2008, 05:16:09 PM
- it was down to a large dose of "Greek family business needs".   ???

What exactly does this mean?
Chris H.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Peter&Dawn on October 31, 2008, 01:23:08 PM
Are you sure its Ali & Dave's shop that is closing.
When we were in Plakias in August Ali said the shop next door would be closing, I think the owners have the new supermarket in front of the dive school.

As George says we wish them all the very best for the future.

Peter&Dawn
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Mike G on October 31, 2008, 01:44:49 PM
Quote from: George
Well that was bad news and good news Chas!

Where did you get the info about Ali and Dave?
Sad to see the shop go. It won't be the same without seeing Dave there behind the counter, do you know what their short term plan is?
I'm sure everyone here wishes them the very best whatever they do!!

Planned expansion by Olympic, not before time is it? They've got the monopoly for budget holidaymakers so should be cashing in on it.
Anything on their website, I wonder, I'll have a look!!

george g...
I agree with all of this George.

Ali as the Olympic rep would be brilliant.

I also would like to know what "Greek family business needs" means.

Mike

ps. what is the evidence that Olympic is expanding in Plakias? I hope they will but when I booked it was just the accommodations they have had for several years .
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Chas on October 31, 2008, 05:43:32 PM
The sequence of events ........

Tuesday evening, 14 October - popped in to drop off "special exports" with Dave and collect our immediate needs (wine, retsina, water and milk) - everything happily normal.

Wednesday late morning, 15 October - popped in to get some bits and pieces - both Ali and Dave there, ashen faced .... I won't go into any detail about the whys and wherefores, because I don't want to say anything that could be an embarrassment for A&D.  If you really need to know, PM me.

The next few days were a flurry of activity: sending back new stock and equipment; organising return of unsold stock (where possible); organising with the "next door" shop to take other stock; trying to find storage space for any other stock and personal stuff kept in the stock room .....................

Basically, the last day of proper trading was last Friday, 24 October, thus allowing the four of us to have a generous ouzo or ten on Saturday evening.

Dave opened up on Monday and Tuesday to serve those of us who prefer to give our tobacco trade to them, rather than Iraklion Airport.

I'm not 100% certain that the "shop next door" will be open next year or if the owner will concentrate on the two Promenade shops but some stock and equipment has been moved down the street.

The timing was decidedly abrupt .... but at least it all happened before A&D had paid out a bundle to lawyers and Government to transfer the business into Dave's name.

The other positive aspect is that with the speed of events, it's all been done and dusted before either of them had chance to get depressed about it.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Chris H. on October 31, 2008, 07:19:34 PM
Quote from: Chas
The sequence of events ........

Tuesday evening, 14 October - popped in to drop off "special exports" with Dave and collect our immediate needs (wine, retsina, water and milk) - everything happily normal.

Wednesday late morning, 15 October - popped in to get some bits and pieces - both Ali and Dave there, ashen faced .... I won't go into any detail about the whys and wherefores, because I don't want to say anything that could be an embarrassment for A&D.  If you really need to know, PM me.

The next few days were a flurry of activity: sending back new stock and equipment; organising return of unsold stock (where possible); organising with the "next door" shop to take other stock; trying to find storage space for any other stock and personal stuff kept in the stock room .....................

Basically, the last day of proper trading was last Friday, 24 October, thus allowing the four of us to have a generous ouzo or ten on Saturday evening.

Dave opened up on Monday and Tuesday to serve those of us who prefer to give our tobacco trade to them, rather than Iraklion Airport.

I'm not 100% certain that the "shop next door" will be open next year or if the owner will concentrate on the two Promenade shops but some stock and equipment has been moved down the street.

The timing was decidedly abrupt .... but at least it all happened before A&D had paid out a bundle to lawyers and Government to transfer the business into Dave's name.

The other positive aspect is that with the speed of events, it's all been done and dusted before either of them had chance to get depressed about it.


Excuse me?
Wow! this sounds really, really weird, it's too dangerous to talk about what really happened out there  on this innocent forum???
Or else?
Or is my English not good enough to pick up the proper meaning of the words......
Reminds me of the rather bitter posting some time ago from the lady renting out wind surfing equipment from the main beach about being threatend out of Plakias by local business people....
Very, very confusing....
Chris H.

Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on October 31, 2008, 07:31:41 PM
Thanks Chas for letting the forum know the disappointing news. I think, though, that apart from wishing Ali and Dave all the best for the future, it wouldn't be fair on them to discuss the matter further. If Ali and Dave want to update us with their plans when they're online again that's up to them but they may,understandably feel it's a private matter. There's always PMs as you've mentioned, Chas.  
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Ali & Dave on November 01, 2008, 03:20:53 PM
Hi

Thank you all for you kind comments and firstly I would like to thank everyone of our customers over the last six years.

As Chas said we were getting ready for a winter of paperwork to change the shop into Dave's name so that I could claim unemployment benefit next winter after doing my second season at Alianthos.  We had discussed signing the new 3 year lease with our landlady being in Dave's name. But then a couple of days later we were told that if we wanted to sign a new lease we would have to put in all new windows and doors and metal shutters on the front of the shop as a friend of the family wanted to open a pharmacy and they were willing to do this.  We were given until that evening to decide but it actually only took 5 mins as we do not have that sort of money and we would never get it back.

The ironic thing was that as we were standing outside the shop in stunned disbelief a lorry reversed up the road with a new CocaCola fridge for us.  We have only been trying for six years to get a new one!!!!  So they ended up taking the old one away.

It has been a bit of shock and whilst normally we would now be winding down and get some rest we are working our butts off trying to get everything sorted as the leases ran out yesterday, but they are going to have to wait a few days.  All the remaining stock is going this evening and then we just have to sorted out all our personal junk we've been storing in the shop.  All with two weeks notice  

However, if we get Dave sorted with a job for next season, we may get a life, may actually get to the beach next summer and may even be better off!!  So hopefully it will be the start of much better things.

As Chas also mentioned once we leave the shop we will loose our internet until we can get something sorted out home so our contact will be fairly erratic (never was very good  )  So again thank you from us both for all your support and we'll see you next year.

Ali
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: George on November 03, 2008, 08:28:50 AM
Hi Ali

Hope you get this, if you're still on line.

I don't think any of us would be so bold as to pry into your personal business, we're all just concerned for your futures, but you sound quite optimistic so that's good news. Plakias wouldn't be the same without you guys!

Hopefully next year when the dust is settled, all of us on here can perhaps spend some more time socially with you, I think everyone on here regards you both as mates, and are just concerned for your futures.

Sincere best of luck for the future guys, and hopefully see you next year.

Keep in touch!!

george g...
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: harribobs on November 03, 2008, 03:14:39 PM
Sorry to hear this!

but i do wish the pair of you the best of luck for the future

chris and mandy
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Mike from Sussex on November 03, 2008, 04:01:33 PM
Commiserations from Chris and myself also. We hope your luck takes a turn for the better soon.

Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Ali & Dave on November 04, 2008, 09:39:38 AM
Hi

Just a quick note as we lose phone line today.  Firstly thank you to everyone who has sent PMs, unfortunately due to time restraints I can't answer them just yet.

But Dave and I will definitely be around next year and as George says we will hopefully be able to socialise a bit more.

Will hopefully be back on line in a couple of weeks.

Ali
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Rowena & Carl on November 07, 2008, 11:18:21 PM
Quote from: Ali & Dave
Hi

Thank you all for you kind comments and firstly I would like to thank everyone of our customers over the last six years.

As Chas said we were getting ready for a winter of paperwork to change the shop into Dave's name so that I could claim unemployment benefit next winter after doing my second season at Alianthos. We had discussed signing the new 3 year lease with our landlady being in Dave's name. But then a couple of days later we were told that if we wanted to sign a new lease we would have to put in all new windows and doors and metal shutters on the front of the shop as a friend of the family wanted to open a pharmacy and they were willing to do this. We were given until that evening to decide but it actually only took 5 mins as we do not have that sort of money and we would never get it back.

The ironic thing was that as we were standing outside the shop in stunned disbelief a lorry reversed up the road with a new CocaCola fridge for us. We have only been trying for six years to get a new one!!!! So they ended up taking the old one away.

It has been a bit of shock and whilst normally we would now be winding down and get some rest we are working our butts off trying to get everything sorted as the leases ran out yesterday, but they are going to have to wait a few days. All the remaining stock is going this evening and then we just have to sorted out all our personal junk we've been storing in the shop. All with two weeks notice  

However, if we get Dave sorted with a job for next season, we may get a life, may actually get to the beach next summer and may even be better off!! So hopefully it will be the start of much better things.

As Chas also mentioned once we leave the shop we will loose our internet until we can get something sorted out home so our contact will be fairly erratic (never was very good  ) So again thank you from us both for all your support and we'll see you next year.

Ali

Hi Ali & Dave

I have just read your news & am so sorry for you both. I really hope things work out for you, I'm certain they will as your such a lovely couple.

We are out from the 16th DEc to 31st if you are around it would be great to catch up, if not we wish you all the best for the rest of the year & good things for the New Year! you both deserve it & I'm certain it will be the start of bigger & better things for you both.

Rowena & Carl xx
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: dimitri on November 09, 2008, 07:18:20 PM
nothing changes round plak,this has been going on since god knows when.They will only put up with you whilst your usefull.The Cretan mafia lives on.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Barny on November 09, 2008, 07:30:03 PM
Why ?
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: dimitri on November 10, 2008, 09:58:02 AM
eerrr,coz their Cretins and everyone else is not.I wanted to start a taxi biz running people to the airports back in the day,but was warned against it by all of the locals.They saw it as taking money from local people that was theirs by right.In the interests of local politics i and peace and quiet i gave up.I speak Greek and lived with the bastards and they still didnt want me taking their money.I still love em though.
If you try to start any kind of biz in Greece,Crete is about the hardest place to do it.Remember they aint like us!
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: George on November 10, 2008, 10:26:30 AM
Quote from: dimitri
nothing changes round plak,this has been going on since god knows when.They will only put up with you whilst your usefull.The Cretan mafia lives on.
Well that lifted to tone of the thread dimitri.

george g...
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: dimitri on November 10, 2008, 10:32:49 AM
sorry George but the truth often hurts.Its not a theme park,its their reality.Life is still pretty tough for a lot of them.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: George on November 10, 2008, 10:53:24 AM
Quote from: dimitri
sorry George but the truth often hurts.Its not a theme park,its their reality.Life is still pretty tough for a lot of them.
I think we all realise that and what goes on down there, but we're concerned about Dave and Ali's welfare and their futures, not the reasons for their demise!

george g...
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: dimitri on November 10, 2008, 02:32:15 PM
you cant live on sunshine,and its hard to swim with an empty belly.I can earn more in a week than a month out there,i learnt that after two weeks on Crete,some take a little longer.I stayed for two years coz i liked the place not to make money.I came home skint but brown with great memories.At least we can fly out if the going gets tough,they dont have much option!
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: George on November 10, 2008, 02:39:13 PM
You're still missing the point dimitri!!

george g...
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: dimitri on November 10, 2008, 02:53:53 PM
ok ok,i wish them well,and hope they find what their looking for.I still question the wisdom of starting anything in plak or anywhere within 500 miles.I saw too many broken dreams and it made my heart hard to all of it.All that glitters etc .
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Kerstin on November 10, 2008, 07:59:14 PM

Sorry, Dimitri, it is very difficult to follow up your remarks.
Maybe, it could be a reason. I am from Germany and I do not know where do you come from?
Are you really from England? Do you love Crete or not?

I understood your dreams are broken. I believe you are very frustrated.
You should not carry over your bad experience.

I hope Ali and Dave will have a chance for a new start in Plakias. And I am admire the courage as to do something like this in a forgein country.

Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: dimitri on November 10, 2008, 08:20:44 PM
Quote from: Kerstin
Sorry, Dimitri, it is very difficult to follow up your remarks.
Maybe, it could be a reason. I am from Germany and I do not know where do you come from?
Are you really from England? Do you love Crete or not?

I understood your dreams are broken. I believe you are very frustrated.
You should not carry over your bad experience.

I hope Ali and Dave will have a chance for a new start in Plakias. And I am admire the courage as to do something like this in a forgein country.
My dreams aint broke babe,i love crete but i know the reality,unlike most of the tourists.
I saw many ali and daves in my time on Crete,life goes on and i am sure they will be stonger for this experience.
Fraid i am from England,there were quite a few German ali and daves too.One of the most succesful was Wolfgang from Mirthios who with his sisters money bought up a few houses but was still hated by everyone of the locals.He sure had a thick skin and was doing better than most,nice guy on the quiet.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: dimitri on November 10, 2008, 08:21:16 PM
Quote from: Kerstin
Sorry, Dimitri, it is very difficult to follow up your remarks.
Maybe, it could be a reason. I am from Germany and I do not know where do you come from?
Are you really from England? Do you love Crete or not?

I understood your dreams are broken. I believe you are very frustrated.
You should not carry over your bad experience.

I hope Ali and Dave will have a chance for a new start in Plakias. And I am admire the courage as to do something like this in a forgein country.
My dreams aint broke babe,i love crete but i know the reality,unlike most of the tourists.
I saw many ali and daves in my time on Crete,life goes on and i am sure they will be stonger for this experience.
Fraid i am from England,there were quite a few German ali and daves too.One of the most succesful was Wolfgang from Mirthios who with his sisters money bought up a few houses but was still hated by everyone of the locals.He sure had a thick skin and was doing better than most,nice guy on the quiet.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: dimitri on November 10, 2008, 08:22:25 PM
oops!
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: travellingran on November 10, 2008, 09:21:21 PM
Quote from: Kerstin
Sorry, Dimitri, it is very difficult to follow up your remarks.
Maybe, it could be a reason. I am from Germany and I do not know where do you come from?
Are you really from England? Do you love Crete or not?

I understood your dreams are broken. I believe you are very frustrated.
You should not carry over your bad experience.

I hope Ali and Dave will have a chance for a new start in Plakias. And I am admire the courage as to do something like this in a forgein country.


Kerstin is on the right track here. I have been reading the rantings of 'Dimitri' with interest.
He is much too impertinent to be English. In fact he is extremely rude . I am sure the majority of seasoned travellers to Greece and particularly Plakias are not under the impression that the streets of Crete are paved with gold. That is what uneducated foreigners think England is.
His mastery of the English language also leaves much to be desired . He calls Cretans 'Cretins'. That is a mistake  no self respecting English speaker would ever make without checking the correct grammar.

The profile of Dimitri states that throwing rocks at tourists and shooting guns at random amuses him. This sums him up really as an embittered loser trying desperately to be accepted. He really  should not project his bitterness onto others .

I also speak Greek fluently but do not expect to be accepted as 'one of them' on the basis of this alone. Not all Cretans are the same nor as insular. My neighbours are Greek. Both highly educated - one , an opthalmologist from Thessaloniki  (working at our local hospital ) , together with his wife , a foreign language teacher, from Paleochora. They met at university in Athens and are in England to earn as much as they can and gain qualifications not available to them in Athens. They will return to Greece with valuable contributions to their chosen profession. . Both of them are really horrified on reading the remarks of ' Dimitri '. They say it gives a very bad impression of the true character of Greeks and indeed , Cretans. I know English people who have gained valuable education and much more by living in Greece. None of them are bitter and certainly did not expect to be thought of as 'Greek'.

'Dimitri' seems to think that all foreigners and tourists are ignorant of the different culture. He is very , very wrong. Most visitors to the likes of Plakias have a very good knowledge of the differing cultures and are sympathetic to the peoples and surroundings. In other words, educated.

I am a lawyer and therefore use 200 words when one  will do but I would ask'Dimitri' or whatever his name is to think carefully before he insults other people's intelligence and questions  their lifestyle choices.

Travellingran
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Ali & Dave on November 12, 2008, 12:02:18 PM
Dimitri

It's obvious that whilst you were here you never got to understand the local culture and maybe that'swhy you left.  When you said you wanted to run a 'taxi' service to the airport only during the day, are you talking about actually going through all the licensing required for proper taxi drivers or just trying to scam some money.

We are not hated here and after 6 years of a lot of hard work there are many people here who have huge respect for us and we will continue to live here.  Yes, I could go back to UK and earn 3 or 4 times the amount but the quality of live here, for me, is much better and what is money at the end of the day.

You constantly put negative comments on the board and I know talking to people during the summer we're bored of it.  Maybe you could keep your negative comments to yourself and let the rest of us enjoy the Plakias we love.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Chris H. on November 12, 2008, 12:22:40 PM
Hear, hear......
Chris H.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Noopsy on November 12, 2008, 01:44:35 PM
Anyway, going back to the original subject...

Ali & Dave,

I would just like to add my commiserations to those already expressed here for the sudden loss of your business.  During my stays in Plakias I have come to fondly regard your shop with Dave "standing guard" as a little piece of England (even though I am not actually English myself) where for a few minutes I could relax and not have to wrestle with the intricacies of the Greek language in order to express myself.  I have always admired your spirit of enterprise in taking the plunge to make a living in a foreign land, and now even more so for your enduring optimism in the face of adversity.  I wish you all the best in whatever it is you decide to do next, and hopefully, that you will now be able to spend some time socially with us.  

Νούψη
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Chas on November 12, 2008, 05:01:08 PM
Quote from: Ali & Dave
Dimitri

It's obvious that whilst you were here you never got to understand the local culture and maybe that'swhy you left.  When you said you wanted to run a 'taxi' service to the airport only during the day, are you talking about actually going through all the licensing required for proper taxi drivers or just trying to scam some money.

We are not hated here and after 6 years of a lot of hard work there are many people here who have huge respect for us and we will continue to live here.  Yes, I could go back to UK and earn 3 or 4 times the amount but the quality of live here, for me, is much better and what is money at the end of the day.

You constantly put negative comments on the board and I know talking to people during the summer we're bored of it.  Maybe you could keep your negative comments to yourself and let the rest of us enjoy the Plakias we love.

How to behave on an Internet Forum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onCPJH6swoY).
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: colin_1972 on November 25, 2008, 02:45:15 AM
Quote from: Ali & Dave
Dimitri

It's obvious that whilst you were here you never got to understand the local culture and maybe that'swhy you left.  When you said you wanted to run a 'taxi' service to the airport only during the day, are you talking about actually going through all the licensing required for proper taxi drivers or just trying to scam some money.

We are not hated here and after 6 years of a lot of hard work there are many people here who have huge respect for us and we will continue to live here.  Yes, I could go back to UK and earn 3 or 4 times the amount but the quality of live here, for me, is much better and what is money at the end of the day.

You constantly put negative comments on the board and I know talking to people during the summer we're bored of it.  Maybe you could keep your negative comments to yourself and let the rest of us enjoy the Plakias we love.

Hi to both of you.. was there in October and I'm really sorry that the shop has gone... it was a constant, not just for the 'every-years' but also for people who were new to Plakias from the UK as you both made it fell like walking into the 'corner shop'. I really hope that things work themselves out over the winter period and I definitely hope to see you next year! C
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: The Lib on January 01, 2009, 03:51:14 AM
I know I'm late coming in on thise but hearing the village store is gone is a complete shock to me.  I popped in there nearly every day from mid May till mid July this year and for a week or 2 for the previous 4 years just because it felt like a little bit of england out in greece and now it's gone.

Completely shocked, completely. That's all I can say.

I hope to see Dave & Ali in Joe's next year for a few
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Ali & Dave on January 09, 2009, 06:00:54 PM
Happy New Year to everyone and despite world economics we hope to see you this year.


Good news to start the year is that Dave has a job.  He'll be working in the supermarket next to our old one in the evenings from 4 onwards.

It is a great relief to us to have both of us in employment so I'll be in Alianthos Car Hire from 3 and Dave working in the supermarket from 4 and it will be great to see any of you when you are here.

I guess we will just have to go to the beach in the morning  

Ali & dave
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: John R on January 09, 2009, 09:37:34 PM
Quote from: Ali & Dave
Happy New Year to everyone and despite world economics we hope to see you this year.


Good news to start the year is that Dave has a job.  He'll be working in the supermarket next to our old one in the evenings from 4 onwards.

It is a great relief to us to have both of us in employment so I'll be in Alianthos Car Hire from 3 and Dave working in the supermarket from 4 and it will be great to see any of you when you are here.

I guess we will just have to go to the beach in the morning  

Ali & dave

A Happy New Year to you two as well. That is excellent news. Looking forward to meeting up with you yet again in September

John and Gillian
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: harribobs on January 09, 2009, 10:28:09 PM
it's great to hear you've both got some work, and hopefully enough to stay

happy new year to you both from us as well!
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on January 09, 2009, 11:01:42 PM
That's great news. We'll be back in September. Booked early so it's too late to worry about what the exchange rate will be. See you then.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Chas on January 10, 2009, 04:10:45 PM
Hi, Both,

That's really great news to start the year with.

Especially the renewal with Alianthos - that's next winter covered

All we need now is another super deal (cheapskates that we are).

Take care.

All the best from us two.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Barny on January 10, 2009, 04:20:32 PM
Good news!!
Best wishes, see you in August for a scooter !

                       Barny.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Peter&Dawn on January 11, 2009, 12:45:37 PM
Quote from: Ali & Dave
Happy New Year to everyone and despite world economics we hope to see you this year.


Good news to start the year is that Dave has a job.  He'll be working in the supermarket next to our old one in the evenings from 4 onwards.

It is a great relief to us to have both of us in employment so I'll be in Alianthos Car Hire from 3 and Dave working in the supermarket from 4 and it will be great to see any of you when you are here.

I guess we will just have to go to the beach in the morning  

Ali & dave


Happy new year & congratulations to you both.
Think of all those long lie-ins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We will see how the Euro goes, but we keep our fingers crossed we can make it again this year.

Peter&Dawn
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Ploppy on January 11, 2009, 02:32:39 PM
Hurray, Excellent News!

Look forward to seeing you in September.

Paul & Marge
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Roland on January 11, 2009, 10:40:17 PM
Hi Ali & Dave,

Great to know you're sticking with it. Plakias is worth it, and you're a credit to it.
We are back off-schedule in May - just booked it today, going to do the gorge
while there's still some water in it.

Hope all continues to work out for you, you're kind of living our dream, but we've
never quite managed to make the break. If we did, we always said we would make
the best of it and constantly remind ourselves what a wonderful place it is and
that it was worth any hardships thrown our way.

Look forward to seeing you in May - we are hoping to have kicked the fags by then
and it will at least be a relief that we wont be giving that extra bit of trade to anyone
else but you  

Roland & Jan

P.S. If this message ever gets there it'll be a miracle - Hampshire is a  technological
wilderness for internet connectivity - shame really as that's what we do for a living!
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Rowena & Carl on January 12, 2009, 11:15:56 PM
Quote from: Roland
Hi Ali & Dave,

Great to know you're sticking with it. Plakias is worth it, and you're a credit to it.
We are back off-schedule in May - just booked it today, going to do the gorge
while there's still some water in it.

Hope all continues to work out for you, you're kind of living our dream, but we've
never quite managed to make the break. If we did, we always said we would make
the best of it and constantly remind ourselves what a wonderful place it is and
that it was worth any hardships thrown our way.

Look forward to seeing you in May - we are hoping to have kicked the fags by then
and it will at least be a relief that we wont be giving that extra bit of trade to anyone
else but you  

Hi both of you,

Happy New Year & that's great news about Dave's job.

It was great to see you both, we throughly enjoyed Dave's party & it was great spending Christmas eve with you. Wish we could of met up again but the time just went. How was New Years Eve & Dave's DJ spot? We had a great night in Chania, a bit too good really bearing in mind we had to be at the airport by 8.30am!!

We loved Plakias & Crete in the winter despite the rain, I think we both feel we could live there at some point now. Still haven't made any descisions on the apartment but will be in touch when we do. We will do all we can to keep it though. Hope it's ok to pick your brians on a few things too.

Take Care & enjoy the winter now you know the future

Love

Rowena & Carl

Roland & Jan

P.S. If this message ever gets there it'll be a miracle - Hampshire is a technological
wilderness for internet connectivity - shame really as that's what we do for a living!
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Noopsy on January 16, 2009, 03:56:31 PM
Good news. I'm really pleased to hear that things have worked out for you both.

Have a great New Year.

Noopsy
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Steve Jones on January 17, 2009, 09:08:41 PM
We would like to add our best wishes to both of you and we are glad that you have got fixed up work wise for the summer season.

We have booked our flights from the end of July to the middle of August 2009, so no doubt we will see you in the village and we will drop by and say hello.

Best Regards,
Steve & Dawn
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Shaz on April 16, 2009, 11:23:29 AM
Hello everyone

My husband, young son and I visited Plakias last year (2008) for three weeks, we loved it and were thinking of returning again this year for another three weeks.  I must say that I am disappointed that the villiage Store has closed and sorry also for Ali & Dave, who did a brilliant job there.   I spent more time during the three weeks in there exchanging my books than I did reading them.

Does anyone know of another book exchange in the resort, I got through about 10 novels during the weeks spent there, can't possibly carry that many with me thisyear.  I though it was a brilliant resourse.

We stayed at Costas and Chrysolia and booked through Anso travel, Lucia's help was fantastic.  Not sure where we will be staying this year yet though... anyoe have any ideas?

Sharon
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: shinaria on April 17, 2009, 12:18:50 PM
Hard to believe, but there is a library in town. The southernmost in Europe...

e.g.: http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?show...&hl=library (http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1138&hl=library)

shinaria
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Shaz on April 17, 2009, 02:17:51 PM
Quote from: shinaria
Hard to believe, but there is a library in town. The southernmost in Europe...

e.g.: [url]http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?show...&hl=library[/url] ([url]http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1138&hl=library[/url])

shinaria


Thank you  I will have to give that a try

Regards
Sharon
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: steven on April 17, 2009, 10:39:20 PM
Quote from: Shaz
Quote from: shinaria
Hard to believe, but there is a library in town. The southernmost in Europe...

e.g.: [url]http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?show...&hl=library[/url] ([url]http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1138&hl=library[/url])

shinaria


Thank you  I will have to give that a try

Regards
Sharon


Sadly I hear the libary is closed.
http://www.yhplakias.com/board/boardshow.php?mid=5830 (http://www.yhplakias.com/board/boardshow.php?mid=5830)

No agreement could be reached for the rent this year.

Everything has been put into storage and the search is on for new premises.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Rowena & Carl on April 17, 2009, 10:55:11 PM
Quote from: steven
Quote from: Shaz
Quote from: shinaria
Hard to believe, but there is a library in town. The southernmost in Europe...

e.g.: [url]http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?show...&hl=library[/url] ([url]http://forums.plakias.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=1138&hl=library[/url])

shinaria


Thank you I will have to give that a try

Regards
Sharon


Sadly I hear the libary is closed.
[url]http://www.yhplakias.com/board/boardshow.php?mid=5830[/url] ([url]http://www.yhplakias.com/board/boardshow.php?mid=5830[/url])

No agreement could be reached for the rent this year.

Everything has been put into storage and the search is on for new premises.


Yes it's true the Libary is closed what a shame, the guys put in so much hard work into it I hope they find somewhere else soon.

Rowena
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on April 18, 2009, 08:57:49 AM
We didn't use the library but I thought it was a great idea. Hopefully the people running it have found something else to do or can set up elsewhere
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Shaz on April 18, 2009, 10:11:51 AM
eeek... looks like an extra suitcase then  

Sharon
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: DOTTY on April 18, 2009, 11:11:43 AM
Hi Shaz,

 I am sure if you look around there will be books to exchange. We have found most places where you stay do this. You may find them on a window sill as at Stellas. Enjoy your holiday.

Dotty  
 

Quote from: Shaz
eeek... looks like an extra suitcase then  

Sharon
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: John & Zell on April 19, 2009, 11:51:42 AM
So sorry to hear about the library, we know most of the guys quite well and they must be devasted it was their whole life,
it was'nt just a library it was a place to sit and chill out and have a quite drink or 2 or 3 or 4, to catch up on the gossip and meet old friends.
Lets just hope they find somewhere new soon.
John & Zell
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: John & Zell on April 19, 2009, 11:56:25 AM
PS
Bang goes one of the next pub quiz  quetions i.e where is the most southerly library in Euorope
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: Noopsy on April 21, 2009, 11:15:10 PM
Quote from: DOTTY
Hi Shaz,

I am sure if you look around there will be books to exchange. We have found most places where you stay do this. You may find them on a window sill as at Stellas. Enjoy your holiday.

Dotty  


Quote from: Shaz
eeek... looks like an extra suitcase then  

Sharon

The Plakias Bay Hotel also has a selection of books, though I don't know if they would let you borrow 1 to take away.
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: steven on May 02, 2009, 12:52:28 AM


I read good news on the youth hotel message board (http://www.yhplakias.com/board/boardshow.php?mid=5830)


"Message from: Chris"

"The library will arise like a pheonix in about 6 weeks time.

New premises have been found only 5 minutes walk through the olive groves from the hostel.

The landlord has to build some new internal walls and put in a new door for us. We then have to paint the place, intall the shelving and then the books and dvds.

The new place will be larger and, bravo, we will have electricity. "
Title: "Village Store" closes ....
Post by: John R on May 02, 2009, 08:11:49 AM
Quote from: steven
I read good news on the youth hotel message board ([url]http://www.yhplakias.com/board/boardshow.php?mid=5830[/url])


"Message from: Chris"

"The library will arise like a pheonix in about 6 weeks time.


That is excellent news. I wonder if the new building will be slightly further South than the old one  

John R