Eatery, like city, is going downhill

Sad to read about the tear-down of the old Cote d'Oro restaurant, once the place to eat in Modesto. But it's also been sad watching it deteriorate over the years, too, so probably best to put it out of its misery finally. It used to be a classy jewel of a place, but then Yosemite Boulevard used to be a vibrant, bustling street. It has gone downhill for many years now.

Now we're watching the same thing happen to McHenry Avenue as so many businesses close. How long before it looks just like Yosemite? It's bittersweet to read the columns of Colleen Stanley Bare and James McAndrews talking about the once-golden Modesto that I remember from growing up here in the '70s. Downtown Modesto was vibrant with all the big stores there and lots of little places tucked in between them. And McHenry Village was the young upstart, yet very classy and unique, a nice alternative to downtown.

Fast forward to 2013 and what's new in Motown? A bigger, better Goodwill store on McHenry. Great. And yet another Dollar Store where the Cote used to be. Apparently the citizens of Modesto are a lot like "Honey Boo-Boo" — they'll "Holla for a Dolla" store!

DAVID K. FORD

Manteca