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Yosemite National Park
El Portal Market Contract Available in Yosemite National Park

Date: October 23, 2007

The El Portal Market has been a fixture in the small community of El Portal, California for as long as locals can remember. Since 1966, the market has been operated by Vaughn, Vaughn and Carter, LLP, and particularly its principal, Hugh Carter, under concession contracts issued by the National Park Service. Recent grocery and general merchandise revenues, net of taxes, have averaged over $660,000.

The old-fashioned service offered by Mr. Carter and staff has made this country grocery and general merchandise store a special presence in the community. Locals and visitors alike appreciate the warm and friendly atmosphere where everyone feels like a VIP customer.

The current concession contract covering the El Portal Market will expire on December 31, 2007, and Mr. Carter plans to enjoy retirement with his family. In the interest of continuing the "old time" grocery and general merchandise services that the Market has traditionally provided, the National Park Service is issuing a prospectus to recruit a new operator under a new concession contract. The term of the new concession contract will be six years.

The prospectus is available for review on the Internet at http://concessions.nps.gov/news.cfm.

Inquiries concerning the prospectus should be directed to Marvin Mann, National Park Service, Yosemite National Park, at 209/372-0271.

Train traveling along the Merced River to Yosemite National Park.  

Did You Know?
Starting in 1907, the Yosemite Valley Railroad brought passengers bound for Yosemite Valley up the Merced River canyon to El Portal. From there, they would take stagecoaches to the Valley. Some of the old train cars are now on display in El Portal.

Last Updated: October 23, 2007 at 14:48 EST