Modernism Week impacts local business
Thousands of visitors are walking the Downtown Palm Springs area, and businesses are putting their best foot forward to turn foot traffic into dollars.
A local business owner says she started seeing more people as soon as Modernism Weekend Kicked off on Thursday. " I have a mannequin out here that's colorful and seems to bring them in. And a colorful window. I've tried to kind of coordinate with modernism," says Kim Galland, the owner of Kimbals Boutique. This tactic helps her align herself with Modernism Week's colorful branding throughout the Coachella Valley even though she is not directly connected to the event.
She says the 11-day festival celebrating mid-century modern design can positively benefit local businesses.
This festival is allowing more foot traffic downtown, and even some restaurant owners are excited to have the opportunity to create new relationships with new customers. "Besides good food, we also have a gallery," says Rita Capponi, owner of Grand Central Palm Springs. "And we have a lot of art; we have three artists up. And they have interesting stories. So people want to come in and see that. And they also like to see the building."
Capponi says it is vital that businesses invite locals and visitors to enjoy the Modernism Week festivities and find a unique way to connect mid-century modern art to your brand for the duration of the festival but always stay true to who you are.
Every business owner I spoke to says weekends and events like this can help tremendously before the whole town experiences a decline in people visiting when it gets hot. " So many new people come to town, and they get to experience the valley, the desert, Palm Springs, so it's a good introductory, and some people come back as a result of it," says Capponi. "And it also gives us a chance to talk people into coming back for the summer. Because you know, it's proof. It's pretty fun in the summer."
Some newer businesses have never experienced Modernism Week, hoping the event will bring them success.
Full list of Modernism Week events.
