La Posada officially opens shoppes

Special to the Green Valley News

There’s a new bakery and coffee shop in town and it’s officially open to the public.

Posada Java, along with the Vensel Treasure Shoppe and Greg Hoiles’ Barber Shoppe at La Posada had its Grand Opening on Friday and there were pastries galore for the big day.

Throughout Posada Java, the lounge area and courtyard, volunteer servers were loaded down with trays of tempting petite pastries baked by La Posada baker Lisa Gutierrez. Freshly baked chocolate confections, mini-eclairs and fruit-filled mini tarts went will with iced mocha drinks. There was also a long line in front of the Kokopelli’s Gelato stand, where free samples were offered.

Chief Operating Officer Joni Condit welcomed the crowd and expressed CEO Lisa Israel’s regrets at not being able to attend. “She was a big part of bringing this to fruition... without her vision this wouldn’t have become reality.”

Mark Dugan, vice president of the La Posada Foundation, gave a brief overview of how the original Treasure Shop came to be; residents moved in and realized they had too much “stuff.”

“Furniture, great art in the lounge and a cup of coffee — and here we are,” Dugan said.

Shoppes manager Mary Fisher also welcomed residents and said, “Talent, creativity, productivity is all around us. Monday we’ll throw open the doors; there will be pies, cookies, ice cream — all kinds of healthy things.”

A special guest

What could be more timely for the opening of the Treasure Shoppe than to have one of the hosts of television’s “Antiques Roadshow,” Daniel Buck Soules, speak at the large gathering.

Invited by KGVY radio owner Chet Walker, Soules told the crowd, “This is my first trip to the Tucson area; you guys really have it made.”

With the shoppes kick-started by La Posada residents Lee and Christine Vensel, after whom the Vensel Treasure Shoppe is named, the new complex of shops, courtyard, lounge and fountain brings a new aura to the retirement community, and to Green Valley as the complex is open to the public.

Soules told the audience that it’s wise to have family hand-me-downs and collectibles appraised; some people have valuable treasures they’re not aware of.

He told of visiting a non-descript ranch house in Rhode Island where he saw what he believed was a valuable grandfather’s clock. The homeowners told Soules it was nothing much, but he insisted on appraising it.

When he returned a week later, the owners were stunned to learn the nothing-much piece was valued at $690,000.

“The owners had no clue as to the value, and the insurance replacement value. The odds say we won’t have a loss, but it’s good to have an appraisal if there is a loss,” Soules said.

When the economy is good, appraisals should be done every three to five years as the value may increase. But in the current economy, homeowners may be paying too much for insurance as the value of a collectible may have decreased.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.

The Shoppes

Posada Java: Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vensel Treasure Shoppe: Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Barber Shoppe: Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.