El Paseo preps ahead of season
The streets are relatively bare on El Paseo currently, but in just a few weeks- all that will change with the start of the season. That means local stores and shopping centers are making sure everything is in tip-top shape.
In what is the final week of September, there are more industrial trucks and workers than shoppers. Fresh paint is going on and new lights are going up. It is all ahead of the start of the season..
“Basically, with landscaping we re-seed our lawn. Kind of get everything in regards to our fixtures, signage updated,” said Mahasti Islami, the marketing and sponsorship director for the Gardens on El Paseo.
Other businesses said they invest in other areas.
“We bring in lots of new merchandise. We are working on the new advertising campaign,” said Raju Mehta who operates El Paseo Jewelers. “We’ll have new ads going out. We are sponsoring lot of things to bring in customers.”
Besides those preparations, many restaurants have opened to extended hours and shops will soon follow suit. As fall brings in cooler temperatures, events on the walk will pick up.
“Oh, the events,” said shopper and lifelong desert-dweller Ashley Garbutt. “That’s what we’re looking forward too.”
Islami said the shopping community in the area has a number of large events planned such as regular art walks and special shopping opportunities from October through May. If that does not spike your interest, there are other draws too.
“It’s a beautiful street and I want people to come out and check out the merchants,” added Mehta.
“We are excited that we have a lot more stores going in,” said Islami. “If you haven’t been here in a while, or if you haven’t been here at all, it’s a great time to come and experience. We’ve got new galleries and new stores all along.”
Shopping center management told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner that the touch-ups are budgeted annually.
The city does not monitor the number of people who come to town for the Season, therefore it is not known how much business increases however, one store owner said Wednesday it is a lot.
