ESCONDIDO: Merchants hope new events will bolster downtown
Sidewalk sale, jazz concerts coming next month
By DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer | ∞
ESCONDIDO ---- Aiming to attract new customers in a struggling economy, the Downtown Business Association says it will stage the city's first "sidewalk sale" next month on Grand Avenue, sponsor four jazz concerts during the next year and move the city's Fashion Week to the performing arts center.
The new events and new location for Fashion Week were among several announcements made Wednesday by Debra Rosen, the association's chief executive who spoke to more than 50 merchants at the Escondido Library.
Rosen also said a contestant from "American Idol" would probably be the headline act for Festival Escondido this September, and that the association plans to launch a comprehensive downtown recycling program this year.
"We're adding new events because we want to bring new people downtown," said Rosen, explaining that a tough economy calls for more marketing and promotion, not retreating.
Mike Peters, president of the association's executive board, said association leaders decided to lay out their plan for the entire year Wednesday to increase participation and give merchants time to dream up ways to tie their businesses into events.
Merchants at the meeting expressed enthusiasm about the new events, but others interviewed Wednesday afternoon gave them mixed reviews.
Lisa Grumel, co-owner of Vincent's restaurant, called the jazz concerts an "exciting" idea and said that relocating Fashion Week will help the city show off the performing arts center. She said the sidewalk sale might not be a good idea.
"I don't like the idea of turning downtown into a big swap meet," Grumel said.
The sidewalk sale, scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. on Aug. 23, will feature roughly 100 businesses placing merchandise outside their storefronts along Grand Avenue and nearby streets, said Rosen.
"It's new and it's fresh, and people haven't seen one of these in a long time," said Rosen. "We're going to promote it as Escondido's first sidewalk sale and as the biggest sidewalk sale in North County."
Each of the jazz concerts will be held in conjunction with the association's Second Saturday Art Walks, which take place downtown on the second Saturday of each month.
The concerts are scheduled for Aug. 9, Oct. 11, June 13 and July 11. They will take place on the north side of Kalmia Street.
Rosen said that Festival Escondido, a Sept. 13 food-tasting event that also features live music and art exhibits, will probably get a publicity boost this year because she is close to booking an "American Idol" finalist as the headline act. Rosen declined to identify the performer, but she said the singer was a male from Tennessee.
The festival, which was staged for the first time last year, will be reduced from nine hours to six hours. Rosen said last year's format was "too long."
Rosen said that Fashion Week, which was held for the first time this spring, will move from an abandoned furniture store on Second Avenue to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. The larger venue will allow attendance to increase from about 600 people per night to about 800 per night, she said. Fashion Week 2009 is slated for April 6-11.
Michael Wagman, the arts center's marketing director, said Wednesday that he hopes performances can be scheduled at the arts center using the same theme chosen for next year's Fashion Week. He said jazz combos, classical music or garage bands could be scheduled, depending on the theme.
Other changes for the coming year include a new chocolate festival on Valentine's Day and slightly adjusted routes for the downtown horse-and-carriage rides held in December.
The new recycling program was described Wednesday by Lisa Gulliver, owner of Architectural Relics. She said the key goals of the program were to increase the recycling rates of downtown businesses, placing recycling receptacles on Grand Avenue and eventually buying enough receptacles to support special events, such as street fairs.
Gulliver said the program would begin soon on a small scale in the blocks bordered by Kalmia Street, Maple Street, Second Avenue and Valley Parkway.
In other news, Officer Bill Havens of the Escondido Police Department told merchants that a man responsible for several recent downtown car burglaries had been arrested and will be serving a two-year sentence in state prison. But Havens warned merchants that they should remain vigilant in case another burglar emerges.
Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.
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Floyd wrote on Jul 23, 2008 7:57 PM:Based on the blogger comments in the past, it would seem that a "hang the council in effigy night" would be a big draw. You could sell dartboards with a picture of the Arts Center on it and make some real money.
Resident wrote on Jul 23, 2008 9:20 PM:A downtown swap meet...the DBA has ruined Cruzin' Grand..What next!!! I will not go downtown anymore..You will have people stealing things from the tables..How low can the DBA get??????
Another resident wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:21 AM:To Resident: The DBA had a large role in the development of Cruisin' Grand from it's concept to present day in addition to the Farmer's Market, Second Saturday, Fashion Week and Taste of Escondido/Tour de Fork to name a few. Maybe you should educate yourself before you rush to bash an organization which has the best interests of the downtown businesses and residents of Escondido in mind.
To the DBA wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:28 AM:what we need is a new council that promotes a friendly community in which everybody feel happy to spend their money at.
this council had attacked their own community members to the point that they feel better shopping out of town than here.
To Resident wrote on Jul 24, 2008 2:00 AM:I cannot believe as a resient you do not have anything positive to say about what is happening in your downtown. You sound bitter. Looks like a good lineup to me with upscale events. Do you have such a low opinion of your community to think people will actually steal from tables. You are one of the one bloggers that is so negitive. Bet you have never gotten involved and done anything for your community to make a difference. Criticizing someone or something before getting involved shows your lack of passion and compassion for making your communnity a better place. Good line up, fun events, looks like something every month, good job and YES I will be there to enjoy all of it.
Local wrote on Jul 24, 2008 2:03 AM:I've often thought that downtown would be the perfect place for an old-fashioned sidewalk sale. I had just assumed that we were much too 'sophisticated'(?) for that. Nostalgia doesn't have to be a dirty word. Provide enough variety and people will come and have a look. I love our eclectic downtown; I'll be there!
HERE WE GO AGAIN wrote on Jul 24, 2008 3:54 AM:another meeting for the DBA to tell merchants how it is going to be. Was there a quorom? 50 biz owners is not a quorom. According to your by-laws, the DBA must have a quorom and a vote of the membership (businesses) must be taken in order for any steps to be taken. This was not done so these crazy schemes are not valid.
Who is going to come to a big swap meet? Better to use our money to CLEAN THE FILTHY SIDEWALKS - maybe that will bring higher class people downtown.
When are the businesses going to stand up for their rights? Demand the bylaws be followed.
You just dont get it wrote on Jul 24, 2008 6:08 AM:do you? With the economy going down the tubes, the last thing that is going to bring money downtown is more artsy crafties slaes. The average joe is going to be looking for bargins, not something he can hang up on his wall while the cost of gas and food continues to climb. Maybe install a gift shop, bring the flavor of Old Town San Diego to Escondido, believe it or not, Escondido has a very rich history that can be used for the Citys benefit.
To Another Resident wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:10 AM:Thank you for commenting on behalf of the DBA. When is your next meeting, tonight isn't? At the escondido public library?
LOL wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:13 AM:The undisclosed male contestant from American Idol is Clay Aiken. That's hilarious, I might go just to laugh at everyone.
Jaque wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:18 AM:Octoberfest beer festival is what this town needs!
Cheers and Beers!
Native wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:49 AM:The DBA and the Chamber of Commerce are trying hard to promote Escondido businesses. What are the critical bloggers doing besides complaining? Get involved to make things better or just be quiet and stay out of the way. It is easy to criticize when you are anonymous and uninvolved.
To eveyone with a negitive comment wrote on Jul 24, 2008 7:56 AM:Do any of you have an idea of how many residential or business communities would like to have this much activity planned for their community? I didn't think so, this is just a great place for you to come and blah, blah, blah because no one else will listen to you. Stop already and look at what you are getting, more than most communities get. This is a good mix of activities and there is something for eveyone. I will see you at most of these events and most people will be having a good time. Be greatful that you have a team of people working hard to bring people downtown and really care. The planning group just can't win, you think they do nothing and complain, they do more and you still find something to complain about.
sick of negative people wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:06 AM:Why do you bother to comment? All you guys do is whine all day. Are you really that unhappy in your life? I think Escondido has a very nice downtown and it has alot of character. I am looking forward to these events. At least Escondido HAS a downtown. Can't say that for any other cities around it. Be happy and get a job or something.
Downtown Business Owner wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:07 AM:Just now read in this paper that Downtown Oceanside group is cutting some of their events for the upcoming year, good thing Escondido isn't doing this. Stay proactive, stay smart and continue to go after the disposable income that is still out there. Don't listen to all of these anonymous bloggers that just want a place to showcase their frustration with life. It is aimed in the wrong direction.
Im In wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:13 AM:The first thing I did when I read this article was to fill in the dates on my calendar so I'd be sure to attend. Sounds like a lot of fun events and I'll like to go to check them out. And I don't think downtown has filthy streets. Perhaps HERE WE GO AGAIN should push a broom instead of pushing his fingers all around the keyboard.
From E-Town wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:21 AM:You guys crack me up! I'm always entertained by the Downtown Escondido banter...such passion.
We will be there wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:38 AM:after some vodka from 7/11 and a trip to the wine bar, PARTEE TIME!
Escondeeter wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:45 AM:The most basic rule in orchestrating posting events is to tell the recipients of your e-mailed talking points to put their posts in their own words. Looks like that got left off the memo, here. A dozen posts with identical wording doesn't represent public opinion, it just represents badly staged theater.
Looking forward wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:55 AM:I am very excited to see a few new events as well as some fine tuning on past events. For those that have only negative comments my question is this. Do you live in a fish bowl? Try to expand your experiences by checking out other downtown areas. The successful ones are always working to bring people to the area. As with any new idea, there may be good and bad results. So you work out the kinks and keep moving forward---in a positive manner. Or you can just complain and spout your bitterness here.
As for me, I'm looking forward to something new in Escondido.
To Escondeeter wrote on Jul 24, 2008 9:06 AM:Oooh aren't you so intelligent. I bow to your wisdom.
Eskimo wrote on Jul 24, 2008 9:16 AM:These "sidewalk sales" could be good if they are not like the street fairs - those are full of people from out of town selling junk.
FRED wrote on Jul 24, 2008 9:58 AM:Just alot of more negative coments. Get with everyone. You should attend the street fairs in Moscow.
Sounds good wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:25 AM:Frankly, it's about time that the DBA schedule some music events. Jazz, classical, rock/blues, and even country concerts would all be well-attended and enjoyed by the community. A full-blown music festival in Grape Day Park/Arts Center could also draw from the greater county area. I think the suggestion of an Oktoberfest is also an excellent idea.
Deanna wrote on Jul 24, 2008 11:28 AM:I'm happy to see Debra Rosen is trying to make things happen here in Escondido between the city folks and those who have a business. This is a start in the right direction.
I like jazz and so this is good to hear.Now if the city folks will just advertise more to the 'main' population so there will be no excuse why you didn't attend at least one of these events. We all need to help out our business people in this city, even in hard times.
RockSpringsActivist wrote on Jul 24, 2008 11:55 AM:There isn't a dog and pony show grand enough to attract me to a city that basis it's economy on how to get rid of Latinos. Besides, businesses and services that are truly exemplary don't need an association to promote for them.
To RockSpringActivist wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:10 PM:Most of the people on Grand Ave. are small business owner's that have nothing to do with the politics of the city council and the last time that I was downtown, I didn't notice any window signs that stated they don't serve Latinos. Most of the business owner's downtown and otherwise are honest, hard working people and I would never generalize in holding them all responsible for what our city council does. I am a lifelong Escondido resident and business owner and I will always try to patronize a local business because I have found that overall there are alot of good people here is Escondido.
Speaking of our council wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:46 PM:My crystal ball just informed me to stay tuned for some breaking news. Someone should write a comic book and name it Esondido's Follies.
RockSpringsActivist wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:48 PM:To (To Rock Springs Activist): The Escondido City Council treats all Latinos equally; they're all illegal until proven otherwise. (Or so it looks.) I treat downtown businesses the same way; they support the city and therefore the Council's tax allocations for this ridiculous witch hunting. I too am a small business owner; a proud Californian but a disgusted Escondidan.
Longtime ESC resident wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:48 PM:Build a QUAILTY upscale hotel we need one AND get some decent restaurants (NOT fastfood) into the downtown area. I go to Temecula for better restaurants and dining.
escocheckpoint wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:15 PM:Where are they putting the drivers license check point for this event? It wouldn't be like Escocheckpoint to not have one.
Karl wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:26 PM:RockSpringsActivist it's kind of hard to argue with "To RockSpringActivist's" point isn't it" Good post "To". I have always tried to buy local regardless who was sitting behind the Dais in council meetings.
To RockSpringsActivist wrote on Jul 24, 2008 2:03 PM:Cool, stay out of Escondido. That will be one less ILLEGAL the council, welfare, schools and taxpayers have to support. You are very confused. The council is VERY PRO LEGAL Latinos. Go get in line and come here LEGALLY and people will welcome you with open arms. You, other Activist and ILLEGALs are doing a disservice to those Latinos and everyone else who came here LEGALLY!
New in Town wrote on Jul 24, 2008 3:51 PM:It's sad to see the amount of negativity in this community. This town has so much potential but everyone is too busy bickering about it than working together as a community to make a change. I'm glad to see they are adding new events. With the price of gas nowadays I would gladly stay local for entertainment and shopping vs. driving 45 min away. The one big issue I see is there isn't much downtown to see. Yes there are restaurants, bars, and hair salons. But where are your nice shops. Half the street is vacant and most of the stores are closed by 5:00. Well for the majority of us that commute nothing is open by the time we get home. How about a toy store, clothing boutiques for all ages and gender, a nice (maybe upscale) children's consignment shop. Downtown has a lot of potential but is in serious need of a facelift.
To Jaque wrote on Jul 24, 2008 3:55 PM:I second the Oktoberfest idea. We have our very own Stone Brewery here in Escondido. That with the local restaurants and bars would be a nice feature.
WHY WHY WHY wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:01 PM:Why is the City spending $3,000,000.00 a year to cover the losses at the Center for the Arts IF THE CENTER IS NOT THE "ENGINE" FOR DOWNTOWN?
If the Center is not doing the job, then maybe the City shoudn't spend so many millions???????
Steve wrote on Jul 24, 2008 5:01 PM:I third the motion for Oktoberfest.
Everyone in favor say "Aye".
Aye and more wrote on Jul 24, 2008 9:15 PM:I love Downtown Escondido and go there often, spending money as I can and enjoying the ambience and events.
After living here for more than a few years, I have to say that a lot of the businesses that line Grand Avenue and nearby streets reflect the era when rents were cheap. I mean we all need vacuums, but on our prime corner?! Alterations, uniforms, telemarketers, fabrics?
Obviously, the DBA and even the city can't control who locates downtown, but it's a real cycle. Businesses that operate part-time don't bring lots of foot traffic - and many desirable entrepreneurs and companies want to see foot traffic before they invest.
It matters who owns the buildings too, not just who runs the businesses, as we have seen with the Municipal Arts Gallery being forced to move recently. How challenging to get landlords involved, who often live far away. Anyone have suggestions how?
I know that Debra welcomes new ideas, and they're feasible if they come backed up with volunteers, so you Oktoberfest biermeisters, make it happen!
Moving Fashion Week to the Center is brilliant. Most folks can't imagine how much work that was.
Keep going DBA - it's getting better.
to intolerants wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:57 PM:IT JUST TAKE ONE VIEW TO THIS BLOGS TO SEE HOW DIVIDED IS THIS TOWN; THANKS CITY COUNCIL FOR DESTROYING OUR CITY!
We need more shops wrote on Jul 25, 2008 5:57 AM:like in TJ, and the art stores need to start selling velvet Elvis!
Joseph wrote on Jul 25, 2008 6:27 AM:What the down town needs is a 3d Home Depot. Not for the business purposes though.By adding a Home Depot Escondido could bulldoze and demolish several blocks of its economicly obsolete downtown. Anyway don't go down town! There is no parking and too many people begging for money.
logjam wrote on Jul 25, 2008 6:36 AM:Is F-street still there? Maybe do something like that. Open up some high class strip clubs, porn shops and drinking places. In this type of economy that's what people want. Actually in any type of economy that's what people want. Look at stone brewery. You go there and get drunk, end of story. Sometimes it's hard to find parking at that place. Throw a couple of cops on the street to tazer the people who aren't spending money or who are causing problems. Make the sprinter run all night to get the people back to the coast without running into some check point. You can set up something like hooters but with good food where that vacuum cleaner store is for the dudes and then set up a wine bar with some thunder down under types where that art gallery is for the ladies. Keep the distinction gallery though. That place rocks.
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