PLACERVILLE (July 16, 2024) – Summer marks the height of tourist season in many local cities, drawing a steady stream of visitors to downtown Placerville. The influx boosts foot traffic for local restaurants, but questions arise about the impact on other downtown businesses.
“I think overall our downtown is still healthy. Struggling a little bit because of the economy, but we all are,” said City Manager Clever Morris. He highlighted the advantage of a strong restaurant presence in Placerville’s downtown.
With more than 50 businesses lining Main Street, including restaurants, boutiques, and various other stores and services, Placerville’s downtown is diverse. However, Morris noted that vacancies are a normal part of the downtown landscape as businesses evolve and change over time.
“You look at where prices are going up due to that continually, and that affects people perhaps wanting to come in and buy those services,” Morris added.
Some businesses have had to close their doors this year, including the Heyday Café. “I can’t put my finger on exactly what is causing some of the current stress in the economy. That’s beyond me, it’s a bigger thing,” Morris admitted.
James Aldrich, owner of The Lighthouse on Main Street, has seen the effects firsthand. Operating since 1987, Aldrich’s business benefits significantly from the foot traffic generated by nearby restaurants. “I think it just depends on where people are going to eat. Because if they’re walking here, we have a nice Italian restaurant. I get a lot of people going, ‘I didn’t even know you were here,'” Aldrich explained.
Carolina Smith Williams, owner of Empress, has observed the ebbs and flows typical of any small town. Situated across the street from Sweetie Pies for over 20 years, her business has remained steady. Remarkably, Smith Williams experienced her best two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I still think about that and I can’t explain it,” she said.
The interdependence of Placerville’s businesses is evident, with restaurants and retail stores supporting each other indirectly. The success of one sector often benefits the other, showcasing a delicate balance that helps sustain the vibrancy of downtown Placerville.
