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Downtown Escondido vacancies worrying merchants, city
By: DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer
Weak economy blamed for worst downturn since early '90s | ∞
ESCONDIDO ---- A recent rash of business vacancies on Grand Avenue has generated debate about the future of the city's old-fashioned downtown district and the best ways to bolster the area.
In more than a dozen interviews last week with local merchants, city officials and real estate agents, the consensus opinion was that the faltering economy has been the primary cause of the area's highest vacancy rate since the early 1990s.
But some said there have been other contributing factors, such as scarce downtown parking and poor marketing by businesses and the association that represents them.
Others were more optimistic, contending that most of the vacancies are confined to two blocks at the eastern end of the district near Palomar Medical Center, a part of Grand Avenue that has historically struggled.
They also said that many of the stores that closed in recent months were marginal businesses barely hanging on, and that their departures have created opportunities for more vibrant businesses to breathe life into the area.
Other reasons given for optimism included a developer's plans to begin construction this summer on a seven-story downtown hotel, increased pedestrian traffic from the new Sprinter rail line and planned downtown housing projects that city officials say they expect to infuse the area with a new customer base.
But concerns remain that the growing number of vacancies will create a domino effect that could lead to boarded-up storefronts dominating the street like they did 15 years ago.
City Councilwoman Marie Waldron, whose family owns a T-shirt shop on Grand Avenue near Kalmia Street, said city officials need to take an active role in ensuring that the blight of the early 1990s does not repeat itself.
"I haven't seen this much change or this many vacancies in 15 years," said Waldron, explaining that the problems on Grand Avenue have been a hot topic at City Hall recently.
Waldron said she had asked city officials to be especially vigilant about desperate landlords downgrading the character of Grand Avenue by renting to businesses that attract lower-income customers. She said it was disturbing that a thrift store is temporarily moving into the old Fireside Bank site at Broadway and Grand.
Out of business
City data show that the Grand Avenue district now has eight vacant buildings and several other buildings where some of the suites have become vacant.
Among the vacant buildings are large structures, such as the H. Johnson Furniture site, Best Buy on Carpets, and the former McMahan Furniture site, which most recently housed a variety of art vendors. There are also smaller buildings, such as the former sites of Chaser's Deli, Hidden Valley Emporium, Grand Ave Floral and the Gift Basket Shoppe.
Jo Ann Case, the city's economic development manager, said the current amount of vacant square footage probably rivals the dark days of the early 1990s. But she said shoppers aren't being confronted with as many "out of business" signs because the 1990s downturn featured dozens of small vacancies and this one features several large vacancies.
But Case said this downturn might be more challenging because it is extremely difficult to find tenants for large buildings on Grand Avenue, noting that the J.C. Penney building was vacant for nearly 15 years until the Mingei Museum took it over in 2002.
Tom Crowley, a prominent Escondido real estate agent who has handled Grand Avenue leases for many years, said this downturn will probably prompt landlords to divide up those big buildings because smaller spaces have proved more viable on Grand.
"It's been clear for a long time that these large sites would eventually have to be redeveloped," said Crowley, explaining that Grand Avenue has had to slowly reinvent itself since North County Fair mall opened a few miles to the south in 1986, robbing downtown of all its national retailers. "The recent prosperity has been all about small spaces."
Rents are cheaper in small spaces, which Crowley said is often crucial for the jewelry stores, art galleries and antique shops that have thrived on Grand in recent years.
But Jim Crone, a downtown landlord, said subdividing the big buildings is not going to solve the steadily worsening problem of scarce downtown parking. All downtown businesses must rely on a limited amount of street parking and some public lots that require permits after two hours.
"Our parking problems make Grand Ave less attractive than the strip malls on East Valley Parkway with their huge parking lots," said Crone, who has lobbied the city to build a parking garage on the H. Johnson site. "When I show people the vacancies I have and then tell them how the parking works, I never hear from them again."
Survival of the fittest
Crowley and David Barkin, president of the Downtown Business Association executive board, said it was important to note that most of the vacancies are on the blocks of Grand closest to Palomar Medical Center, an area that has historically had problems.
"It looks dreadful at that end, but it's really not that bad overall," said Crowley. "Everything is full from Broadway all the way west to Centre City Parkway."
Barkin said the strength of Grand Avenue has historically been the blocks west of Broadway.
"Most of the businesses that closed were on a tight rein already, so this burp in the economy has pushed them out," said Barkin, an attorney who owns real estate downtown. "But there is no way things will get as bad as the '90s."
Barkin said his association decided to begin holding its farmers markets on the struggling eastern blocks of Grand, and that the Cruisin' Grand classic car shows have been expanded to help that area.
But John LeStrada, owner of Remy's On Grand restaurant, said the association has not done enough marketing to increase foot traffic near his business on eastern Grand Avenue. He said the association should be advertising the city's "rare historic downtown" in publications throughout the county, not just communities near Escondido.
Other merchants have raised similar concerns recently. But Debra Rosen, the association's chief executive, said last week that vacant businesses are a problem afflicting every part of the country during these tough economic times.
Waldron and downtown coffee shop owner Olga Diaz agreed with Rosen, contending that promotions can only do so much to save marginal businesses.
"The marketing is more about the big events, but they are not going to save a business that is not doing well day-to-day," said Waldron, explaining that revenues have been down 15 percent to 20 percent at her T-shirt store recently.
Diaz, who has announced she will run for City Council this November, said she is satisfied with the marketing efforts of the city and the association.
"Grand Ave is mostly owner-operated businesses, which struggle more in a bad economy because they don't have the same cushion as corporate chains or the same marketing budgets," said Diaz. "But it's the responsibility of the merchants to make it happen. When things are tough, we've got to work even harder."
A brighter future?
Nearly everyone interviewed said that a $60 million, seven-story Marriott hotel slated for construction next to City Hall will provide an immediate boost to nearby Grand Avenue. A groundbreaking on the 196-room hotel is scheduled for this June, and the facility is expected to open in summer 2010.
"The hotel will throw 100 people out on to the streets every night, giving every restaurant 10 more customers," said Crowley. "And we won't have to wait until it opens. As soon as they start construction, it will start a shock wave."
Another source of optimism is several housing projects planned for downtown, which will bring the area a few thousand new residents with income levels high enough to afford condos costing $300,000 to $500,000.
There have been concerns that some of the projects would be postponed or abandoned because of the faltering economy and housing market, but developers are moving forward with nearly every project in the pipeline, according to city planning officials.
Meanwhile, the city and the Downtown Business Association have said they may pay for a shuttle that would take arriving Sprinter passengers from the Quince Street station into the Grand Avenue business district for free.
Waldron said that until prosperity returns to Grand Avenue, the city must remain vigilant about what kinds of businesses open on Grand. She said she was relieved to learn the new thrift store at Broadway and Grand will only be temporary, but she warned that the presence of lower-end businesses could start a domino effect.
Councilman Dick Daniels, a member of the council's economic development subcommittee, said the city needs to make sure the public does not begin perceiving Grand Avenue as a struggling district.
"We've really got to watch things carefully there," said Daniels. "It has a disturbing effect when you see larger stores lay empty for long periods of time."
Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.
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New District wrote on Mar 15, 2008 11:33 PM:With the "Oldest Profession" on the increase in Escondido, why not create a "red-light district" downtown and keep the professionals off the streets? Charge a tax and save the economy!
Hospital Promises wrote on Mar 15, 2008 11:40 PM:I thought PPH was going to purchase Chasers and the rest of the block, and expand into the eastern part of downtown. I see nothing happening there.
entreprenuer wrote on Mar 15, 2008 11:57 PM:In a nutshell, rents are out of control and need to be adjusted so businesses can be viable. Rents in the $2,000 and $3000 range are not feasible for long term growth. As a business owner looking for a new location, Grand Avenue would be nice but not at the current rates. The problems of downtown Escondido are deeper than anyone wants to admit. Instead of dreaming what tomorrow will bring let's deal with the reality of today's current situation and how can it be remedied.
Elvin wrote on Mar 16, 2008 12:26 AM:The new hotel is not going to put 100 people into the downtown area because there will not be that many people every single night. The Sprinter isn't going to do anything to bring evening traffic because it stops service too early. The retail mix in downtown is poor. How many people go out shopping every day for art? Advertising "throughout the county" isn't going to help because who wants to battle the 15 freeway?
Escondeeter wrote on Mar 16, 2008 1:23 AM:Crone's right about the Johnson site. It's the perfect location for a mixed-use complex with ground floor retail on Broadway, two floors of condos above, and a large parking garage on the west side with monthly parking above and metered public parking below.
The east end is impacted by the city's insistence on pushing all its redevelopment efforts onto Escondido Blvd. instead of taking advantage of the opportunity offered by Pennsylvania between Broadway and Hickory. Replacing that eyesore with mid-rise yuppie housing will put some foot traffic on Grand. Some of that housing might even be (gasp!) upscale apartments.
Grand has been going through the gentrification process that most communities experience where low rents have originally attracted creative or artistically oriented businesses. They, in turn, brought in customers, which increased the value of retail space, resulting in landlords raising rents and driving out the businesses that made the location attractive in the first place. Escondido was right in the middle of the first round of that well-known phenomenon when the economy went sour. Rents will have to come down and there'll have to be some downsizing of those big retail spaces before things start to turn around. In short, some of the landlords need to stop believing their own PR and start looking realistically at the market.
Why is a thrift shop wrote on Mar 16, 2008 3:18 AM:considered a "low end" business? A T-shirt store isn't much better or a tatoo parlor for that matter. Look around the City. Who is your potential customer? Will they support a downtown? Doubtful.
Escondodo wrote on Mar 16, 2008 3:40 AM:Marketing can always be improved but historically the downtowm has seen businesses come and go and move from location to location within the downtown. I agree that we should play up the historic aspect of our downtown. I think that it is a diamond in the rough and well worth supporting. When the going gets tough - the tough get going!
smart citizen wrote on Mar 16, 2008 6:54 AM:This is obviously economy-related and has nothing to do with parking. If parking is to blame, then why during the golden years of just a few years ago did we see practically no vacancies on Grand? The parking situation was just the same then, wasn't it? How is the city going to build a parking structure when it is running budget deficits for the next few years? Would Escondido residents even pay to park in it, or would they just drive around on the surface streets looking for free parking as they do now? Think on it for a while. The city builds a parking structure at $20,000 dollars a parking space only to see the first floor of it ever used - nice efficient idea there. ; )
If downtown developers don't hear from tenants after hearing about the parking situation, then they didn't belong downtown anyway. Anyone care to take a guess why someone who owns real estate downtown would say that downtown needs a parking structure? anyone? Bueller? Bueller?.........the answer isn't hard to find....
Winston wrote on Mar 16, 2008 8:39 AM:Waldron is a perfect example of how Escondido is currently perceived, which is basically a racist and xenophobic town. Surely there are many people that would rather take their business else where. Without a doubt, Escondido's documented unconstitutional attack on immigrants has truly encouraged an economic boycott on their city. Oh by the way, the hookers and druggies don't help either.
Customer wrote on Mar 16, 2008 8:39 AM:The customer base in Escondido has changed over the last 8-10 years. A viable downtown would need to resemble the make of the swap meet. You need street vendors and fiestas if you want to attract your current target market.
Your homes are stuffed with 20 people doing low paying service jobs. Art Galleries, Boutiques, and Coffee Houses can't survive. You need candy stores featuring lead filled candies, liquor stores, smut shops, etc.
Longtime Resident wrote on Mar 16, 2008 8:52 AM:It's funny nobody in the article mentions the the North County Fair (now Westfield Mall). That complex absolutely killed the once-vibrant Downtown Grand Ave.
Trying to keep Grand "quaint" or "historical" or "charming" is not the answer - it has shown time and time again that it doesn't work.
The city might as well put in an anchor store(s) like a Target where Palomar Hospital is, knock out some old structures for PLENTY of parking, and see what happens from there. It would link East Valley with Grand, making the whole area more of a destination for shoppers.
I'm sick of watching my hometown disintegrate right before my eyes.
Born Here 46 wrote on Mar 16, 2008 9:07 AM:Why was Hidden Valley Antique Emporium referred to as a smaller building. It is 10,000 sq. ft. It also has its on parking area so parking was not a problem for them. After 18 years as an Antique Mall a steady decline of business happened. If you want to know where all the customers went who shopped Grand Avenue just go to any Casino and you will find them!
Robert24 wrote on Mar 16, 2008 9:29 AM:Winston: Escondido is perceived as a harbor for illegal aliens because that is what it has become. Weak calls of "xenophobe" and "racist" are only for those who fail to see the reality of the current situation (a massive group of illegal aliens)that have settled here and have driven down the quality of this town. The sad truth is that we do not need anymore taco shops, .99 stores, or other stores that cater to one particular population. This does not create a vibrant economy, on any street, or in any town. Thanks for brining in your view on this, but your response is not what is hurting Grand Avenue.
Economy 101 wrote on Mar 16, 2008 9:38 AM:Better take a look around, E. Valley Parkway has alot of vacant business space too. It is called recession, that means everybody is tighter with a buck. Sorry Mr. Store Owner but we don't know if we are going to have a job next week. DUH!
ObSERVER wrote on Mar 16, 2008 9:47 AM:Crowley and Barkin obviously are blind to the issues even west of Broadway. The Downtown Deli and ice cream shop is changing hands with the sale of that building, the Grand Ave Floral bldg is vacant, the wonderful Thrift store coming in at Brdy/Grand will really highlight that area.
Just east of Broadway is the old Basket shop now empty, the old Imagination shop, now empty and the big gallery building on the 200 East block. Not much to come downtown for except some restaurants and some home goods stores.
Maria wrote on Mar 16, 2008 9:50 AM:When moving to North County 16 years ago, I found Grand Ave in Escondido to be absolutely charming. I am an avid antique buyer and loved the shops and the old tree-lined streets. Unfortunately, in the last couple of years, I have been approached by druggies, crazies, etc every time I go down to shop. I have never had any problem parking, but had to hide out in a lamp store while the owner called 911 because of an attempted assault, the next visit I ran into the store front police department because I was being followed by a loony pick-pocket, and the third visit, well,because of the third visit I don't go down there anymore. It is so sad that such a beautiful area is losing it's flavor, and I think there is more than one reason for that. The public's turning a blind eye to the illegal alien problem and the drug and homeless problem for so long is the reason I do not go down there anymore. But I NEVER had any problem parking. Times Square used to be a hell hole, until NY clean up their streets......
Just wait wrote on Mar 16, 2008 10:52 AM:Just wait until the hospital moves to the ERTC... Then downtown will be Done, Finished.
To Winston wrote on Mar 16, 2008 11:35 AM:I laughed when I read your post. What "economic boycott" are you referring to when these people didn't spend money downtown anyway? Do you REALLY believe that? I don't. Let me get this straight - People are driving to San Marcos at 4 bucks a gallon to avoid spending money downtown? I don't think so friend. This is all related to the economic downturn the nation is experiencing. There's no "boycott". LOL!
Most of you have your facts all mixed up (par usual).
Nancy wrote on Mar 16, 2008 12:01 PM:Marie Waldron owns a T-shirt shop & is upset about "low end" businesses going into downtown? That's kind of like the pot calling the kettle black.
OPTIMISTIC wrote on Mar 16, 2008 12:33 PM:This story will not take away from the unbelievable success our downtown has seen the last few years. The charming and historic downtown has been the envy of the North county region. We dine several times a week in the 40 plus retaurents. What a wonderfull experience and a great destination. Wait untill the Marriott opens downtown and cruising Grand start attracting thousands of visitors to Escondido every week. Must have been a slow news day.
To: To Winston wrote on Mar 16, 2008 1:09 PM:I don't know if "To Winston" will be able to remove his foot from his mouth because he is "LOL". Sorry to burst your bubble...but, there are people who are boycotting this city. I am a resident and I am one of them. I have not liked the "politics" of the City over the last three years. I feel the rights of the honest citizens keep getting trampled on. I feel that the City Council is unfriendly. I have personally felt the affects of many unfriendly people in Escondido. My quality of life has deteriorated. I drive to San Marcos...just to avoid the tensions of Escondido. I have personally boycotted this town...and I'm sure there are many others.
Johnboy wrote on Mar 16, 2008 2:02 PM:Escondidos treatment of immigrants leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But I do not blame all the merchants in Escondido. So I took the Sprinter from Oceanside to Escondido to explore what was offered. The train ride was nice but the destination was dismal. No way I would go out of my way to shop in Escondido.
PESSTIMISTIC wrote on Mar 16, 2008 2:06 PM:Yeah, wait till the drunks cruising grand start shooting each other.
Maria - And how in the world does the illegal alien population cause the problems on Grand. Talk about scapegoating!!!
Downtowns are dead everywhere. There is no reason to go to Escondido. The beach downtowns (Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas) survive because of the beach and weather.
Tony wrote on Mar 16, 2008 2:11 PM:The only businesses in downtown Escondido that attract me are the restaurants, and the lack of parking quickly sends me to the eastern part of town. In that area, I can park close to my destination or (even better) use the drive-through window.
JD wrote on Mar 16, 2008 2:20 PM:"People are driving to San Marcos at 4 bucks a gallon to avoid spending money downtown?" I've lived in Escondido for 22 years and aside from the mall, very little of my money is spent here at retail shops. I'd much rather drive the ten minutes to San Marcos or even Carlsbad and shop in clean, crime-free shopping centers than the dilapidated bazaars of Escondido.
WOW wrote on Mar 16, 2008 2:51 PM:So with all this said - What is the Downtown Business Association doing to bring constant foot traffic to the street? Sure, events are nice but stores can't survive with a monthly event.
Also, why should the city have to pay for the shuttle? That is not good economic use of my tax dollar when cities everywhere are facing deficits. Why doesn't the Business Association foot the bill or get business sponsors to do it. That is how other locations do it. They don't always run to the public trough for money and a hand out. That is a sure sign that this business district is in trouble. Maybe the Downtown Business Association should move over and let the Chamber of Commerce run it.
Patriot wrote on Mar 16, 2008 3:06 PM:I've never had a problem parking in downtown Escondido. Merchants who think this is their problem need to re-evaluate.
Several posters here have conveniently left the word "illegal" off of the term "illegal immigrants" when trying to descrive them as honest when in fact, they broke the law to get here and most break other laws all the time (fake SS numbers, not paying income tax on cash earnings, etc.). The constant 'downgrading' economically of Escondido by having more and more multi-families (illegals) packed into what was once a nice home and having 'low-income housing' project after project in Escondido certainly won't attract 'upscale' or even 'mid-scale' dollars to downtown.
Escondido needs to discourage the continued illegal immigrant wave from settling in the city, needs to quit building low-income subsidized housing and let that spread to other areas of the county lest it become a haven, and needs to encourage more upscale housing developments and try to attract some kind of high-tech industrial businesses to Escondido where there are virtually none despite many other communities having them.
CROIT wrote on Mar 16, 2008 3:07 PM:Fiddlesticks! Grand just plain looks run down, seedy and borderline skid row. It's going to take a major urban renewal to salvage that area.
to "just wait" at 10:52am wrote on Mar 16, 2008 3:48 PM:you just HAD to bring the hospital into this discussion, didn't you? you had your chance to ramble on the topic in the "Perspective" column, over a month ago, now PLEASE leave us all alone. we are sick of your hospital crusade. it's over, man! find a new topic to rant about.
face wrote on Mar 16, 2008 4:29 PM:
All my gosh you people must be drinking too much "tap" water!...i mean come on!
Comparing downtown Escondido to a crime-ridden,skid-row,slum-looking projects! hahahha outrageous...Okay sure some shops are going out of business. I have been around the streets late at night and all I see is old and young couples just going out for dinner or a drink at a bar. Where is the the loony knife wielding pickpocketers? where is the crazy drunk homeless crowd? Where is the suspicious looking illegals? Where is the seedy gangbangers? I must need glasses because I DONT SEE THEM!!! Maybe just a couple kids on skateboards...but thats it! Geez talk about exaggerating big time! Lets be honest everything went down hill when LANSTORM (internet cafe) closed down.
Hospital / Downtown wrote on Mar 16, 2008 4:38 PM:Wow... Don't you realize the Hospital is Downtown and that it will affect the DOWNTOWN in a BIG way. …”Just the Facts”….
No Vision wrote on Mar 16, 2008 4:40 PM:Grand Avenue, as bas as it gets, is primed for the next generation of visionaries who understand what an urban center can do to revitalize a community. This is the beginning of a generational shift, and when it finally happens in business and City government, investment money will begin pouring in... Recession has its reward!
To: Customer wrote on Mar 16, 2008 4:46 PM:For a “Viable Downtown” you would need the "Medical Village" that PPH is promising. Let's see when the "Village" arrives?????? Why doesn’t the DBA ask them?????
A brighter future? wrote on Mar 16, 2008 4:50 PM: A brighter future? Heck Ya... A $60 million, seven-story Marriott hotel and $73 Million "Medical Village" by PPH...JUST CAN'T WAIT....
oddthings wrote on Mar 16, 2008 8:49 PM:As an Escondido resident for more than 10 years, I have to say I love the idea of Grand Ave and "downtown" Escondido. It's charming, cozy, and not what one would expect of a city of it's size. I actually do not feel uncomfortable in Escondido at any time of day or night. Unfortunately, businesses do not always succeed, no matter where they are located, and this should not be a determining factor in one's opinion of the worth of a city. I can only challenge anyone to find a city of Escondido's size and population, with no social, business, or criminal problems. I support Escondido and hope that we can keep the unique feel and look of our city.
John wrote on Mar 16, 2008 9:50 PM:There really are consequences to voting a straight republican ticket from the presi-dunce right down to the county supes, mayors and city council. It ain't workin and the economy is going south. The worshippers of the free market can't govern thier way out of a paper bag. Gonna get a lot worse before it gets better.
attractions? wrote on Mar 16, 2008 10:01 PM:Escondido built a nice art center as an attraction to the downtown area. This was a good idea. If there is anything to blame it is the fact that the people that run this center don't know how to bring in shows that interest people. This town is no longer dominated by 60-90 year old retired people. Stop having shows that only appeal to them.
resident x wrote on Mar 16, 2008 10:57 PM:A huge problem is the greedy landlords raising their rents and rubbing their hands together looking at the promised gentrification of Grand Avenue. The current level of business on Grand can't afford the higher rent. They don't see that their greed essentially kills the root of future success.
I feel safe in Escondido, I live here, I shop here and I want to see it succeed.
I go to Downtown wrote on Mar 17, 2008 6:32 AM:for the 7-11. Hey storekeep another bottle of that Popov Vodka if you don't mind. Have to get ready for Tuesday Nights Farmer's Market.
Grew up in Esco wrote on Mar 17, 2008 6:53 AM:I personally think the farmer's market would do well if it was open later and had more vendors. It's impossible for me to make it to the market after battling the traffic on the way home from work. I think the association has done an impressive job with crusin' grand. People know about Grand Avenue, there just isn't reason to hang around for too long. I love our downtown, but I'd love to see a bookstore, more clothing stores (the new one Baccio is great!), a music store... We need a reason to walk around the streets, for more than just dinner. Kudos to the new wine bar!
To To Winston wrote on Mar 17, 2008 7:57 AM:Good then, why don't you move out of the city and save the rest of us the hassle. There's no "boycott" and if there is, it's only a few ... like yourself. That doesn't impact a thing.
pablo wrote on Mar 17, 2008 8:21 AM:What is needed is a bus, touristy type, that runs back and forth along Valley Parkway from Citrus to Ninth during the hours stores, medical providers, and restaurants are open. Senior citizens should ride for free. An awful lot of potential customers live within walking distance of Valley Parkway and there are many others who could then park their cars and take the shuttle to avoid any parking problems.
I appreciate the wrote on Mar 17, 2008 9:07 AM:type of cliental that the F Street Book Store brings to downtown.
Follow the Money wrote on Mar 17, 2008 10:11 AM:The City of Missed Opportunities needs to take a page from the playbook of Pasadena. They revitalized their downtown into a thriving place to be for both young and old. Our council needs to take a field trip up there, talk to their city council and find out how they attracted upscale retailers like Crate & Barrel, Victorias Secret and still provided adequate parking. Downtown just doesn't offer the safety, the types of stores or the environment to attract those of us with high disposable incomes. They act like the downtown area is the only attraction to the city, but you have to drive through some pretty rough areas to get there and East Valley needs work.
To Follow the Money wrote on Mar 17, 2008 10:36 AM:I happen to live off East Valley and I resent your remark, sure we might have to carry weapons and sure we might not feel safe going out at night, but other than that it is a nice area!
Longtime literate resident wrote on Mar 17, 2008 12:55 PM:"It's been clear for a long time that these large sites would eventually have to be redeveloped," said Crowley, explaining that Grand Avenue has had to slowly reinvent itself since North County Fair mall opened a few miles to the south in 1986, robbing downtown of all its national retailers. "The recent prosperity has been all about small spaces."
Gnarly Charlie wrote on Mar 17, 2008 1:18 PM:C'mon people the area is not that bad. I have no problems walking home from Pounders at 1:00 am on a Saturday night. I'm sure the people that go to F Street really raise a ruckus downtown! I'd rather browse there than some basket shop.
Cal wrote on Mar 17, 2008 2:44 PM:Revitalizing downtown during a recession is going to be an uphill battle. Your paper had a great article in the Sunday Business section about the dedvelopers in North County who are sitting on land they can't build on during the "slump." Hey we're laying off teachers for God's sake. It is tough ut there. I figure we have 5-10 years before it turns around and the city can even think about luring new businesses downtown. Until then everyone is going to be in survival mode.
Sometimes this city sucks... wrote on Mar 17, 2008 7:58 PM:Props to "Winston" and to "Why is a T-Shirt Shop". Downtown Escondido has struggled for the last several months, but I find it hard to not target Marie and Steve Waldon specifically for this decline.
Marie, with her clueless disregard for the negative publicity she has brought to the city, and Steve with his unjustified ego.
Hey Winston wrote on Mar 17, 2008 10:32 PM:Wake-up fella! The negative perception of Escondido started way before the city council propsoed the much needed rental ban on ILLEGAL's. I have worked outside Escondido for many years and frequently overhear co-workers (from other towns) express negative perceptions of Escondido. That perception is reality! I don't bother defending Escondido anymore because those perceptions are true: overcrowded public schools with low test scores, gangs, crime, TJ-looking neighborhoods, tattoo and thrifts shops everywhere. People don't travel here from neighboring towns because they think this city is an armpit. They avoid it. And guess which particular ethnic group contributes to that negative perception? Enough said.
BeTheChange wrote on Mar 18, 2008 11:17 PM:I sure wish we could harness the passion of all the bloggers into action here in Escondido. Our city needs us to not only vent but to participate. We can benefit individually and collectively from living in a city full of opportunity, change, and something to believe in. Life is short, and we have no one to blame but ourselves if we throw up our hands...
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