Cruisin' Grand begins Friday

By: PAUL EAKINS - Staff Writer | Monday, March 26, 2007 9:56 PM PDT ∞

ESCONDIDO ---- Downtown Escondido will resonate with the roar of hundreds of classic cars Friday for the opening night of Cruisin' Grand's 2007 season.

More than 400 pre-1974 classic, vintage or custom cars and trucks and 8,000 to 10,000 people are expected on Grand Avenue, and similar events will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. every Friday through Sept. 28.

Cruisin' Grand is starting one week earlier than usual this year, and it couldn't come a day sooner for downtown businesses, owners and managers said Monday.

Many downtown shops, restaurants and art galleries stay open late on Cruisin' Grand nights, hoping to draw in the multitudes that walk up and down the sidewalks checking out the cars.

"I think that's all that we wait for," said Christina Santana, manager of His Place Coffee House at 119 E. Grand Ave. "I don't know how long we would last without Cruisin' Grand, honestly."

Santana said the cafe sometimes does as much business during one night of Cruisin' Grand as it normally does during two full business days.

At Imagination, a novelty and gift store at 135 E. Grand Ave., owner Dave Buckley said he moved his business from East Valley Parkway to Grand Avenue about a year ago in part to take advantage of the Cruisin' Grand crowds.

"It's a definite increase in business," Buckley said. "You couldn't ask for a better six-month business plan than that every Friday night you'll have more people."

Buckley's store even has begun to cater to the Cruisin' Grand crowd by selling small model cars and similarly themed merchandise, he said.

Jo Ann Case, manager for the city's economic development division, said Cruisin' Grand is one of Escondido's most popular events. It gives a boost to the city's economy, but especially benefits downtown restaurants, she said.

"People from outside the city who spend money bring an added economic benefit because it's not just recirculating existing dollars," Case said Monday.

Another change this year is a new Cruisin' Grand sponsor, Kragen Auto Parts. The Downtown Business Association still organizes the event, which began in 2000.

Jim Schoenberger, vice president of marketing for CSK Auto, the Phoenix-based parent company of Kragen, said Monday the decision to sponsor Cruisin' Grand was an easy one to make.

"Kragen Auto Parts is all about cars and people who love them," Schoenberger said. "It's a great event, it's a fun event, and it's a chance to really see the cars that our customers love too."

Also new this year, Kalmia Street one block south of Grand Avenue will be closed to make space for classic cars that arrive late.

Participants don't have to register in advance to display their vehicles along Grand Avenue or nearby side streets. Between 6 and 7:30 p.m., car owners selected for awards will be notified at their cars, followed by an 8 p.m. awards ceremony at Grand Avenue and Broadway.

Deborah Rosen, chief executive officer for the business association, said Monday that Cruisin' Grand was moved up a week this year to put it in sync with the Goodguys Del Mar Hot Rod and Custom Car Nationals taking place this weekend at the San Diego County Fairgrounds in Del Mar.

She said visitors love Cruisin' Grand for the cars, to socialize and to recall past eras.

"It takes a lot of people back in time," Rosen said.

Contact staff writer Paul Eakins at (760) 740-5420 or peakins@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

Cruisin' Grand

What: Opening night of the annual Friday night car show.

When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday.

Where: Downtown Escondido along Grand Avenue.

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