STRUCK GALLERY, previously known as Sandfly Gallery & Gifts is closing at the end of January. As part of the downtown art community, the gallery will be missed leaving only 3-4 art related shops downtown. It’s not all bad though, the STRUCK GALLERY will continue to sell online after the physical closing. There will be one last event, Saturday, January 22nd where many artists will be offering discounted prices for the full day.

As explained by Wendy Struck, owner of the gallery:

Hi Everyone

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. After some time off I am back in the gallery and open for the month of January. Thank you for your support in 2010!

I have big news for the new year. I have decided to close the gallery as of January 31, 2011. This was not an easy decision.It required much thought, reflection and discussions with family, friends, and professionals. In considering where I am in my life and art career, I felt this was the best decision for me.

I will indeed miss being a gallery owner/operator in downtown Medicine Hat. I will always be committed to promoting the value of the arts. I have some plans to organize site specific group exhibitions and other projects. I will be sure to advertise and post these projects through email, on facebook, newsletters and my website.

Going forward I will be spending more time on my own art practise and pursuing a variety of other opportunities. I will continue to offer art classes and workshops, based out of Gainsboro Photography Studio. STRUCK GALLERY will also remain online, selling my own mixed media, painting and fine objects. Visit the facebook page and website for updates.

STRUCK GALLERY will host one last event on Saturday January 22. This will be a party to thank our customers and artists for their support. Many artists, including myself, will be offering discounted prices for this ONE DAY ONLY event. Please take advantage of this opportunity to collect original, quality work of art, pottery, jewellery and more. I will be sending invitations and more information very soon. I hope you can come out to celebrate. Please spread the word to your family, friends and co-workers.

We all know that as one door closes, another one opens, so I will be going forward with excitment and enthusiasm. Happy New Year!

*UPDATE* September 8th – It is now confirmed that Mucho Burrito is open to the public once again.

*UPDATE* Just got an email reading: “I just reviewed your comments on line and do respect and appreciate. We will be reopened in a few short weeks. Looking forward to seeing you there again as a customer.” – Stephen Travers, President – Extreme Brandz Western Canada.

Looks like it is good news for all the fans, we might do an update when it re-opens. Otherwise, below is the original article:

Mucho Burrito has recently closed as of this weekend. A lot like East Side Mario’s closing earlier this month there is a lot of speculation and not a lot of information as to why. I only stopped in there once when it first opened because I was intrigued at the concept. Although I wasn’t completely sold on the variety of sides they had (for example, I was expecting mexi-fries rather than plain tortilla chips with salsa)  the rest of the food was good and I thoroughly enjoyed the homemade-style salsa. I believe I got both a chicken burrito and a beef burrito with the hottest salsa – and it definately was HOT.

Seemingly this place would of got a lot of business being so close to everything in the new developing area, but then again, East Side Mario’s was seemingly doing well as well. So what’s going on? Anybody with more information, feel free to comment or contact us.

It’s been over a week now since East Side Mario’s closed its doors for good here in Medicine Hat. I’m posting because I wanted to ask our visitors if they know why? I haven’t been able to find out personally, but I have made a couple speculations based on our global economy.

East Side Mario’s was busy every time I’ve went there, and even when I visited on obscure times of the day, like between lunch and dinner there was still quite a few people. I wouldn’t recommend anybody to go on a Saturday night because it seemed like a madhouse with all the people there. So with all these people, why did it close? Was it the food? Was there health problems? I found the food good every time I visited and I tried a lot of the menu over the years of going there, although it could be a bit pricey the soup and non-stop french bread (YUM!) more than made up for it. The Alberta Health Services site no longer lists East Side Mario’s so I can’t confirm any health problems.

Like I stated above, the only reason I could think of is with all these chains (like Starbucks) closing and shutting down their locations across the globe due to the recession, it could just very well be that this one was targetted for whatever reason. Anybody know?