A tale of Phoenix rising,
Onyx Store re-opens


Published on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 12:11 AM PDT

Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun

It’s been a long, difficult labor of love for Onyx resident Gaye Honeycutt. But her dream of restoring and re-opening the 150-year-old Onyx Store has become a reality.

The Onyx Ranch was sold in October, 2008 to the Renewable Resources Group and to Honeycutt’s delight, her first meeting with the new owners started off with, “What can we do to help you get the store open?”

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“We knew Ms. Honeycutt wanted to open the store for some time,” said Ari Swiller, RRG President. “While Ms. Honeycutt had made progress with the previous owner to re-open the Onyx Store, it still needed a clean and consistent water supply, ensuring the building structure and electrical wiring was safe, removing items and records belonging to the previous owner (as it had become a bit of a storage area) before we could formally enter into a lease agreement with Gaye.”

Oscar Rudnick, Trustee of the Rudnick Estates Trust, did not want to see the old store go by the wayside, either, said Honeycutt. “He supported the restoration project and my efforts in every way that he possibly could.

“Starting in 2002, we worked closely together for six years and I am deeply grateful for his contributions, friendship and advice regarding the restoration,” said Honeycutt. “Oscar played a very important role in returning the Old Onyx Store to the community.”

RRG, specifically Swiller, Cole Frates, Lloys Frates and Michael Kaschak, played a critical role in the project, Honeycutt said.

“A final ‘shout-out’ goes to Richard and Sandy Rudnick, whose steadfast friendship and encouragement helped me deal with the tumultuous challenges during this eight-and-one-half-year process,” Honeycutt said. “When it seemed like there would never be a light at the end of the tunnel, it was Richard and Sandy who would step in and say, ‘Don't worry, you'll get it open and it will all be worth it - just hang in there.’”

“After buying the ranch in the fall of 2008, our first priority was to restore the ranch to its more traditional beauty and further its historical practices of ranching and farming,” said Swiller.

“That meant partnering with local ranchers and farmers who had not previously had access to, or very limited access to, the land. It meant fixing fences, cleaning up debris and pits that were  potentially  dangerous to people and livestock, and repairing the houses on the ranch that local residents use,” he said. “And it meant starting the long process of re-opening the Onyx Store, so people with fond memories of the store, and the ranch, could enjoy both again. 

“It’s definitely still a work in progress,” Swiller said. “We all know that there’s plenty to be done before the Onyx Store is restored to the condition it deserves. But we’ve heard from a lot of folks who just want it open, so it made sense to have a ‘soft launch’ – to start to bring people in on weekends, see what they think, and get feedback. And we’re already getting some good suggestions that we can use moving forward.”

“RRG has been extremely instrumental in assisting this project and helping me get the store open; bottom line, the community finally has their store again because of RRG's enthusiastic support and financial contributions,” said Honeycutt.

“The community has been so wonderful in their support of this venture and I am deeply thankful and humbled by the positive response that we have received,” Honeycutt added.

“The RRG team carried this project across the finish line; they are the ones that stepped in with the additional financial and moral support to make the re-opening of the Old Onyx Store a reality. Without RRG's support this re-opening would never have happened.

“I sincerely hope that the communities in the Kern River Valley understand who really brought their store back to them! The credit goes to the Renewable Resources Group and Oscar Rudnick - yours truly was just the catalyst,” said Honeycutt.

Editor’s note: Local historian, the late Bob Powers, wrote about the Onyx Store and the tales of early patrons in his book, “South Fork Country.”

Copyright © 2012 Kern Valley Sun

Comments

17 comment(s)

    Marc Empert wrote on Jan 6, 2012 7:15 PM:

    " My father and Grandfather use to haul hay from Onyx to Ridgecrest. My Father said the tree (to the right of the door was about a foot in diameter when he 13. That was about 65 years ago. I watched it grow as well. Soon the walk way was pushed aside and the tree kept growing, finally pushing into the building. Sad to see that the tree is mostly dead and the main branches cut off. I am glad to hear that the store is re-opened and I will have to come from South Dakota to see it! "

    David Dodson wrote on Oct 7, 2011 9:37 AM:

    " This is a geat article I stumbled across. I remember many trips to the Store as a kid in the 70's and early 80's; reaching into that big pickle barrel. My great grandfather (Lorence Dodson)lived in Onyx for many years. My grandfather L. Dean Dodson had property there for many years as well as my father Richard. I spent much of my youth visiting this area. I'm looking forward to a return visit. "

    Keith wrote on Aug 5, 2011 5:12 PM:

    " I have been to the Onyx store many times in the past 30 years. But my last visit to the store under it's newest owner was a big disappointment. I took my 80 year old mother there who wanted to see the store. She came 200 miles and when we walked up to the store, the owner had 3 barking dogs that barked so loud it was disturbing. My mother was so upset at being barked at we had to leave. This is a historical building, and no one wants to be greeted by barking. "

    Kristine wrote on Apr 5, 2011 12:38 AM:

    " My family has had a house in Wofford Heights for over 20 years, which we visit on some weekends and holidays, and I remember when the place closed years ago. We don't often take that route, but we used to stop there when it was open, years ago; we were sad to see it close.

    I passed by today, but it was late & too dark to see it. Anyway, I'm so glad to hear that it's back! I'll definitely stop by next time. "

    Tom Dunn wrote on Jan 12, 2011 6:26 PM:

    " Stopped by a week or so ago and had a nice visit with Gaye. Had a nice fat roast beef sandwich, and of course sat by the wood stove and had a hard time gong home (Ridgecrest). My first visit was about 1971. I will be back "

    Dean Horne wrote on Dec 10, 2010 6:24 AM:

    " My mon & dad lived in onyx from 1960 to 1980. Me and my wife used to go to onyx about 2 or 3 times a mounth,and we always went to the onyx store and buy sausage and bacon to take home. It was the best. was really sorry,when it closed.Glad to see it reopened will be sure to go back to see it again. "

    Dr. John wrote on Oct 15, 2010 6:55 AM:

    " Ah yes the Onyx Store. Like many others, I too have many memories dating back to my career at China Lake NWC. A trip to lake Isabella was never complete without a Onyx store visit. Memories that I share with Gary in Alaska.

    Great news.

    Dr. John in NH "

    Gary in Alaska wrote on Oct 10, 2010 9:00 PM:

    " Wow! This is great news. My grandfather used to work on the Base at China Lake (1940's, '50's, and 60's) but my grandparents home was a farm east of Bakersfield. Consequently, driving back and forth through Walker Pass was a regularity. I remembering stopping at the store and getting a slab of the best bacon in the universe. We use to camp and trout fish on Brush Creek and cook that bacon in a big cast iron skillet over an open fire. Great memories. Thanks for the perseverance and hard work, Gaye! "

    Les Nisbett wrote on Sep 13, 2010 6:59 PM:

    " Wonderful! Boy this brings back memories of years ago when the store was open!Have a Delicious Day everyone! "

    Truth of course wrote on Sep 13, 2010 1:08 PM:

    " Mac: I don't know about recipes for sausage at the Onyx store, nor do I know who Randy Barr is, he sounds like he was maybe here when this was all going on. I know they used to have wonderful hams too; used to be as good as Iowa hams....a time gone by, for us who lived the good life, when time went slower, everyone was more honest, giving, and not so greedy...memories are the best when viewed by the greatful. "

    randy barr wrote on Sep 11, 2010 1:02 PM:

    " Now! For the real story.First Oscar Rudnick has been deceacsed for many many years,I think back in the fifties.The formula for our sausage was never given or passed down to anyone.I know this for a fact sence I personnely made many tons of it for 14 years.My parents origenated the famous sausage and other custom meats,plus things such as the famous pickle barrel that had the best pickels around.Again my hart and good thoughts are at that store and good luck to the new propritors of the onyx store. RANDY BARR "

    Mac wrote on Sep 10, 2010 12:01 PM:

    " Truth, when Onyx closed, didn't they pass their sausage recipe on to one of the other stores? Like James Store maybe? I can't remember but it seems like they did. "

    Randy Barr wrote on Sep 10, 2010 11:42 AM:

    " Just a shout out.I used to be one of the origenal people with my family that had the onyx store from 1960 untill 1974.We sold tons of sausage and of special meats to many greatful customers.Real happy to see it reopened. "

    Truth of course wrote on Sep 8, 2010 8:41 PM:

    " I can remember buying sausage and meats at the Onyx store in the 1960's and there was a big stove with fireplace to sit around in chairs and tell old storys...never made a trip here when we had just a vacation home without picking up meats to take home. I am so glad to see it re-open! "

    jean white wrote on Sep 8, 2010 1:36 PM:

    " I use to live in weldon two years ago. I always wanted to go inside the store just to see what it looked like. Hopefully now that it's open when I visit my son I will be able to do just that. I'm sure it will make a big difference for the people who live in that area. Good luck. "

    Danny Roth wrote on Sep 8, 2010 10:17 AM:

    " Isn't Renewable Resources Group the same people out of Los Angeles who want to build the solar power plant in the valley?? I wonder if there is more to them doing this than meets the eye. "

    tabbitha wrote on Sep 8, 2010 10:08 AM:

    " That would be so cool to have the Onyx Store open again! I remember going in there when I was a child to buy some candy. I always liked the sawdust on the floor. What wonderful memories! "

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