Jul 15, 2009

Locally owned businesses adapt to downturn; some move, others closeBy Jondi GumzSantaCruzSentinel.com

Santa Cruz — Local retailers are doing their best to generate sales in a down economy. Some are moving or changing their format while others are packing it in.

Central Coast Running moved from 600 River St. to 1101F Pacific Ave. after Citibank closed. Owner Adam Boothe said the location in the River Street shopping center was “too hidden” for his two-year-old store specializing in athletic apparel and footwear.

“When the economy went south, I was faced with a drop in sales and was planning on closing the business,” Boothe said. “Several of my customers and friends urged me to try anything I could to stay afloat. Once I found the space at 1101F Pacific, the landlord was excited to have me move in. Unfortunately the move needed to happen so quick that most folks thought I had gone out of business. The downtown business association has been great in helping get the word out that I am still in business. It’s great to see businesses rally around each other in these hard times.”

He’s eager for the Wharf to Wharf Race next weekend. Last year, 22 percent of the Top 100 men and women in the race wore “a CCR uniform,” he said.

Tonic Salon and Spa moved from 765 Cedar St. into 504C Front St. next to Crafter’s Studio and Fresh Prep Kitchen.

“No one really wants to move a business and it feels like starting over, but in this economy it made sense,” said owner Carolyn Staico Smith. “One of the main reasons why we moved was a huge reduction we would be paying in rent.”

She sees other benefits, too.

“We love our neighbors,” she said. “The space we moved into has large ceilings and it is a lot brighter and I think more accessible for our clients, and parking is better.”

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