Downtown retailer Dixie Brewer swears she was only joking with her landlord, Tomás delToro-Diaz.

But an offhand remark she made a few weeks ago sparked an idea. And the idea grew into a plan. And the plan ignited a business deal that will certainly change Brewer's life and potentially the lives of many others.

Reporter Steven Mayer can be reached at 661-395-7353. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter: @semayerTBC.