Downtown businesses urged city to move concerts to Thursday
Updated Jan. 28, 2015: The move of the summer concert in the park series from Friday to Thursday was requested by a group of more than three dozen downtown Paso Robles business people. Below is a letter from them presented to the city January 24.
“On behalf of a large group of downtown businesses and restaurants we are asking the REC Foundation and City to have the 2015 Concerts in the Park on Thursday evenings,”
“In our previous letter to the REC Foundation we stated many concerns and reasons why we are seeking to move the concerts from Fridays to Thursdays. We cited our primary reason as lost revenue. For example, in polling just six downtown restaurants on the park, each restaurant experienced a loss of $1,000-1,500 per restaurant each Friday the concerts occurred. From just that small sample, the total loss of revenue was a minimum of $60K in 2014 during the nine week Friday night Concerts in the Park. Retail stores on the park report a 10-25% drop in sales during the concerts too and have considered closing their shops at 4pm on Fridays that the concerts occur. The other businesses listed on the bottom of this letter have expressed similar losses.
“Several of the restaurants and businesses have been part of the downtown landscape for many years. Villa Creek opened its doors back in 1998 and has been instrumental in putting Paso Robles’ downtown on the culinary map. They have noticed the steady trend in lost revenue over the past handful of years and have expressed concern and are now joined by dozens of downtown businesses and citizens.
“Over the past 30 days since our initial meeting with the REC Foundation we have been meeting with and discussing our concerns with the downtown business community, community leaders, members and organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Main Street Association. We have been met with overwhelming support and excitement about the possibility of having the 2015 Concerts in the Park on Thursdays. Here are several reasons why we believe Thursdays would be the optimum day for Concerts in the Park:
- “Extending the weekend. Locals could start their weekends early by kicking off their weekend with a Thursday night concert with the family then enjoy date night in one of the downtown’s restaurants followed by a movie… If marketed correctly, this could be great for hotels, restaurants and shops. Could mean more room nights and extended stays for tourists who shop, stay and dine downtown Paso Robles and may attend the concerts. Paso Robles could be branded as a 3 day weekend getaway. More reasons for summer travel to Paso Robles.
- “Additional tax revenue for the city. Increasing the downtown retail and restaurant traffic and extending hotel stays could increase sales and yield taxes that would benefit the city.
- “Community involvement. Locals will come out for family oriented concerts to support their community and parks and open spaces for kids. During the summer, kids don’t have school so it’s a great day to have a family night in downtown Paso. Look at Templeton’s concerts. Everybody comes out for a summer concert on a Wednesday early evening. The park is packed with local families! “Passing the hat” would have the same level of success on Thursday nights. The downtown park is the beautiful centerpiece in which people can assemble and support the community and the REC Foundation and its commitment to creating enhanced programs, places and open spaces for quality recreational experiences in Paso Robles.
- “More parking. Parking is already impacted on Friday nights because of the popularity of our downtown. If concerts were on Thursdays there would be more parking for locals attending the Concerts in the Park and support the REC Foundation by helping make the downtown park more accessible.
- “Downtown business community participation and promotion. Input from downtown business owners and restaurateurs indicate they will help promote Thursday Concerts in the Park. For example, Park Cinemas expressed interest in donating popcorn and bags to the REC Foundation to sell at the Thursday night concerts. Some restaurateurs have discussed donating t-shirts as a merchandising tool to promote and brand the new Thursday evening Paso Community Concerts while providing a revenue generating tool for the REC Foundation.
- “City and community unity. Spreading goodwill by showing support for the downtown businesses and restaurants as they grow with the changing business climate as Paso Robles becomes a premier wine, food and event destination.
- “Special events. Concerts on Thursdays would not compete with the growing number of winery and special events that happen throughout the county on Fridays. San Luis Obispo county has so many special events and winery events that it can be challenging to pick which event to attend on the weekends. Having concerts on Thursday nights could help brand Paso as the downtown locals concert destination on Thursdays during the summer.
- “Help support local employees and families. Employees who rely on gratuities may benefit from more traffic downtown on Thursdays. Thursdays are traditionally less busy than Fridays and a Thursday event could possibly help drive more business downtown during the week.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to open dialogue between the business community, the City and the REC Foundation and are hopeful that the concerts will be moved to Thursday’s in 2015.”
Sincerely,
Cris Cherry, Villa Creek
Carole MacDonal, La Cosecha Bar + Restaurant/Il Cortile Ristorante
Tom Fundaro, Villa Creek
Chris Kobayashi, Artisan
Laurent Grangien, Bistro Laurent
Donovan Schmit,Pappy McGregor’s
Piper Sundquist, Soletree
Andrea Phillips, Jayde
Troy Larkin, Fish Gaucho;
Erin Stuck, Jillian Waters, Joeli Yaguda, General Store
Andrea Dewit, Beatrice Dubes, AndBe Boutique
Bobbi Conner, The Natural Alternative
Randy Syracuse, Marv’s Pizza
Dawn Gregory, Odyssey Café
Robert Gilson, Hotel Cheval/Haymarket;
Francisco Mora, Chico’s Café
Brenda Clouston, Robert’s Restaurant, Estrella
Emily Miller, Firefly
Ryan Swarthout, Second Press
Sasha Irving, Studios on the Park
Sharon Sobraske, Studios on the Park
Joe Thomas, Studios on the Park
Gabriel and Adrianna Jorge, Habaneros
Nick Tompkins, NKT Commercial
Kannyn January, Ambiance
Debbie Thomas, Thomas Hill Organics
John Roush, Park Cinemas
Ken Siegel, Siegel’s
Neeta Mittal, LXV;
Ron Nodder, Chateau Lettau Winery
Melody Burbank, Burbank Ranch
Jody Storsteen, Berry Hill Bistro
Cecily Parrish Ray, Parrish Family Vineyard
Lisa Urciuoli, Heritage Gallery West
Rick Riva,The Rabbit Hole
Brianna Shore, Arroyo Robles Winery
Helen K Davie, Studios on the Park
Didier and Beatrice Cop, Panolivo
Teresa Burke, Asuncion Ridge Vineyards
Judi Hatzman, Grizzly Republic Wines
Heather Gray, Bodegas
Danika Reed, Vivant Cheese
Caitlin Pianetta, Pianetta
Derek Bettencourt, McKlintocks
Jennie Bork, Reminisce
MaryAnn Dinsfriend, Alterhouse and Leed
Garrett Wesch, Kahunas Surf Skate & Snow
Original report Jan. 27, 2015:
2015 concerts in the park move to Thursday nights
2015 Concerts in the Park is now rescheduled to Thursday nights. Photo by Nick Monzo.
The REC Foundation for the City of Paso Robles announced today that the 2015 Concerts in the Park series will be moved from Friday to Thursday evenings. The first concert will be June 18 in the Downtown City Park. The change is for a one-year trial basis.
The programming change was prompted by a request from many downtown merchants who cited a significant loss of revenue due to the concerts, lack of downtown parking, and general congestion in the downtown area on Friday nights.
The REC Foundation plans to evaluate the community attendance, merchant feedback, and general response to Thursday evening concerts and will determine whether to permanently implement the schedule change for the 2016 concert season.
The REC Foundation presents the concerts as a community service and has done so for over 10 years. Proceeds from concert sponsorships, wine and beer sales, and “pass the hat” donations are used to fund recreation events and enhancements at city parks including Centennial Park, Sherwood Park, and the Downtown City Park.
“We are trying to be sensitive to the needs of our downtown merchants and find a balance with our mission of providing quality programs to our community,” says Brandon Medeiros, Chairman of the REC Foundation.
Established in 2000, the REC Foundation is a non-profit fundraising organization committed to creating enhanced programs, places, and open spaces for quality recreational experiences in Paso Robles. To date, the REC Foundation has raised over $750,000 and invested back into the community. The 2015 Concert schedule and performers will be available by March 1, 2015 at www.recfoundation.com. For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please call (805) 237-3987 or email info@recfoundation.com.
Source: REC Foundation press release
Very disappointed ! Loved this event especially for us Locals !!
Many of us won't be able to attend anymore, Thursdays are very difficult to make !
Hope it gets changed back to Fridays, even Saturdays would work !!!!
Lame!!!
I'm so sorry to hear this. Friday concerts were a perfect kick-off to summer weekends for families, who will now most likely be unable to attend — I know mine will not. Although I understand the concern of businesses for increased tourist traffic, but having tried to get into several restaurants after concerts on Fridays in the past, I can't believe they were losing money — I once went to 5 restaurants before I could get in. And when you consider restaurants like Artisan, Pappy MacGregor's, Villa Creek and several others, who own perfect outdoor sidewalk real estate right on the park where folks can buy food and drink while hanging out and enjoying the concert, it just seems like they are doing a poor job of taking advantage of the increased park traffic on Fridays. Why not work WITH the Friday traffic, instead of hoping to increase traffic on Thursdays. My guess is this will backfire in a huge way.
Not a good idea
I doubt it's the restaurants and bars behind the push for change…try walking around on a Friday night this time of year, you see VERY busy, bustling restaurants and bars, full of loyal locals, mostly, and non-eating establishments are mostly vacant. This seems like a terrible idea…I know many of my out-of-town guests come to PR for the weekend from all over California because of the love for CITP…not next summer, I guess. Oh if I only knew what merchants were behind this lunacy…they would not get my business.
Scott ant chance of your paper publishing a list of the merchants who advocated this change?
Bret Harrison Ask the City Council who signed the letter — there was a big public comment session at the last meeting, and a letter was presented to Council.
Not good for families with young kids!
I won't be going.. Sad
I like the change. Friday early evenings are when my summertime guests come to town (And they just keep coming). We kick the weekend off Friday night with dinner at one of the downtown restaurants…for the past few years it has been nearly impossible for them to find a parking place. I would think a great venue for these concerts would be Barney Schwartz park, plenty of parking.
I'm sorry to hear this…You are taking a large group out…those who have to work Fri. Not happy with this at all
I'm sorry to hear this…You are taking a large group out…those who have to work Fri. Not happy with this at all
Templeton has a great turn out on a Wednesday I like the idea as it frees up the weekend for even more fun as there are always so many things to do during summer
This is an example of the kind of thanks the city will continue to get for bringing people to downtown to help the fledging wine/tourist industry. Now that wine and tourism are profitable, the businesses will try to kick out the locals in favor of tourists who will spend more money at their establishments. The city park was not built for tourists, but for the local Paso people. Remember that, and don't let wine and tourist industry bullies take over what was meant for locals.
Martin, the City Park was built for the local people. If anything moves to Barney Schwartz, it should be the Wine Festival and other tourist events that occur around OUR city park. No offense, but it's our park and city taxpayers have paid for it–not county taxpayers and not tourists, and not the wine industry.
I work late hours on Thursday to accommodate my patients. Locals who serve the community should matter too. Bad decision, in my opinion! I always looked forward to the Friday nite concerts.
Who is this good for? Not locals. The locals restaurant's wants more of the Friday crowds coming on Thursdays. But most working families are not going to go out on Thursday if they have to get up earlier the next day. Most people I talk to who go to the concerts make a evening of it. They go to the concerts than out to dinner and the spend time out doing other things. Also Templeton does their concerts on Wednesdays. That's to close together.
This is going to backfire on Paso Robles. Sorry to read about this.
I doubt if is a good change . Most locals kick off the weekend with their guest with this concert. BAD DEAL!!!!
Bad idea. Not a good reason to change how the summer time is kicked off on Fridays. Seems as if the local people with small children are being sacrificed for The restaurants. There should be some activity for the locals who don't work in the hospitality industries. This is not people friendly.
Someone, Anyone, All ! What can be done to change this to keep it on Fridays??
Is there anything the community/people can do to reverse this ????
Many have spoken here and it seems like a lot of locals/people are voicing their displeasure over this change !!
please call (805) 237-3987 or email info@recfoundation.com. Let the recfoundation know what you think about moving the concerts to Thursday.
Finally!!!! I applaud these businesses and welcome the change.
Local restaurants in the square support it. And understandably so. If you're local what does it matter whether it's Thursday or Friday, has nothing to do with tourism, it has everything to do with supporting LOCAL businesses.
Bret Harrison It appears to be EVERY business downtown. Looks like you're eating out of town from now on.
This move IS better for the locals too…. In time locals will see the benefits of the move whether they own a business downtown or not.
Why?
Why?
Why?
Some folks, just hard to except change.
Jay Lukes Not every business! Cold Stone disagreed with the move and Red Scooter wasn't even asked.
I think an idea would be to have half the season this year on Fridays and half on Thursday to see how it works out. Would help in determining if moving the day really makes a difference or helps at all.. ? !
I have seen it hurting business on Friday during the height of tourist season. There is little parking left for visitors and the locals usually bring a picnic or at most buy a beer in the park and don't really patronize the restaurants or watering holes to any large degree. It's a great thing for family outings, I agree, I think it could be moved to another local park and not impact businesses on Friday nights the way it does now and everyone would be happy.
The problem isn't which night to have the concerts in the park. The REAL problem is the "City of Paso Robles" needs to build a parking garage. If the city wants to maintain Paso Robles as a " tourist destination", that's the only answer. Instead of spending all the money on a city hall, which is overbuilt with copper rain gutters.
The problem isn't which night to have the concerts in the park. The REAL problem is the "City of Paso Robles" needs to build a parking garage. If the city wants to maintain Paso Robles as a " tourist destination", that's the only answer. Instead of spending all the money on a city hall, which is overbuilt with copper rain gutters.
We too are sad to see the change if it happens. It is a chance to get with friends say hello unwind from the week. To have on a Thursday is hard on the locals for we still have to get up and still have to work for the new comer to town.
There are problems with parking downtown most nights and most of the restaurants are packed every Friday night of the concert series. If parking is the problem, which we know that it is despite the concert series, then that is what should be discussed with the City of Paso. Personally I think that change is hard and families will adjust to the change of day. Fridays are better in my opinion but that is not to say that Thursday's can't be fun as well. It will just take some adjusting.
Very disappointed ! Loved this event especially for us Locals !!
Many of us won't be able to attend anymore, Thursdays are very difficult to make !
Hope it gets changed back to Fridays, even Saturdays would work !!!!
Lame!!!
I'm so sorry to hear this. Friday concerts were a perfect kick-off to summer weekends for families, who will now most likely be unable to attend — I know mine will not. Although I understand the concern of businesses for increased tourist traffic, but having tried to get into several restaurants after concerts on Fridays in the past, I can't believe they were losing money — I once went to 5 restaurants before I could get in. And when you consider restaurants like Artisan, Pappy MacGregor's, Villa Creek and several others, who own perfect outdoor sidewalk real estate right on the park where folks can buy food and drink while hanging out and enjoying the concert, it just seems like they are doing a poor job of taking advantage of the increased park traffic on Fridays. Why not work WITH the Friday traffic, instead of hoping to increase traffic on Thursdays. My guess is this will backfire in a huge way.
Not a good idea
I doubt it's the restaurants and bars behind the push for change…try walking around on a Friday night this time of year, you see VERY busy, bustling restaurants and bars, full of loyal locals, mostly, and non-eating establishments are mostly vacant. This seems like a terrible idea…I know many of my out-of-town guests come to PR for the weekend from all over California because of the love for CITP…not next summer, I guess. Oh if I only knew what merchants were behind this lunacy…they would not get my business.
Scott ant chance of your paper publishing a list of the merchants who advocated this change?
Bret Harrison Ask the City Council who signed the letter — there was a big public comment session at the last meeting, and a letter was presented to Council.
Not good for families with young kids!
I won't be going.. Sad
I like the change. Friday early evenings are when my summertime guests come to town (And they just keep coming). We kick the weekend off Friday night with dinner at one of the downtown restaurants…for the past few years it has been nearly impossible for them to find a parking place. I would think a great venue for these concerts would be Barney Schwartz park, plenty of parking.
I'm sorry to hear this…You are taking a large group out…those who have to work Fri. Not happy with this at all
I'm sorry to hear this…You are taking a large group out…those who have to work Fri. Not happy with this at all
Templeton has a great turn out on a Wednesday I like the idea as it frees up the weekend for even more fun as there are always so many things to do during summer
This is an example of the kind of thanks the city will continue to get for bringing people to downtown to help the fledging wine/tourist industry. Now that wine and tourism are profitable, the businesses will try to kick out the locals in favor of tourists who will spend more money at their establishments. The city park was not built for tourists, but for the local Paso people. Remember that, and don't let wine and tourist industry bullies take over what was meant for locals.
Martin, the City Park was built for the local people. If anything moves to Barney Schwartz, it should be the Wine Festival and other tourist events that occur around OUR city park. No offense, but it's our park and city taxpayers have paid for it–not county taxpayers and not tourists, and not the wine industry.
I work late hours on Thursday to accommodate my patients. Locals who serve the community should matter too. Bad decision, in my opinion! I always looked forward to the Friday nite concerts.
Who is this good for? Not locals. The locals restaurant's wants more of the Friday crowds coming on Thursdays. But most working families are not going to go out on Thursday if they have to get up earlier the next day. Most people I talk to who go to the concerts make a evening of it. They go to the concerts than out to dinner and the spend time out doing other things. Also Templeton does their concerts on Wednesdays. That's to close together.
This is going to backfire on Paso Robles. Sorry to read about this.
I doubt if is a good change . Most locals kick off the weekend with their guest with this concert. BAD DEAL!!!!
Bad idea. Not a good reason to change how the summer time is kicked off on Fridays. Seems as if the local people with small children are being sacrificed for The restaurants. There should be some activity for the locals who don't work in the hospitality industries. This is not people friendly.
Someone, Anyone, All ! What can be done to change this to keep it on Fridays??
Is there anything the community/people can do to reverse this ????
Many have spoken here and it seems like a lot of locals/people are voicing their displeasure over this change !!
please call (805) 237-3987 or email info@recfoundation.com. Let the recfoundation know what you think about moving the concerts to Thursday.
Finally!!!! I applaud these businesses and welcome the change.
Local restaurants in the square support it. And understandably so. If you're local what does it matter whether it's Thursday or Friday, has nothing to do with tourism, it has everything to do with supporting LOCAL businesses.
Bret Harrison It appears to be EVERY business downtown. Looks like you're eating out of town from now on.
This move IS better for the locals too…. In time locals will see the benefits of the move whether they own a business downtown or not.
Why?
Why?
Why?
Some folks, just hard to except change.
Jay Lukes Not every business! Cold Stone disagreed with the move and Red Scooter wasn't even asked.
I think an idea would be to have half the season this year on Fridays and half on Thursday to see how it works out. Would help in determining if moving the day really makes a difference or helps at all.. ? !
I have seen it hurting business on Friday during the height of tourist season. There is little parking left for visitors and the locals usually bring a picnic or at most buy a beer in the park and don't really patronize the restaurants or watering holes to any large degree. It's a great thing for family outings, I agree, I think it could be moved to another local park and not impact businesses on Friday nights the way it does now and everyone would be happy.
The problem isn't which night to have the concerts in the park. The REAL problem is the "City of Paso Robles" needs to build a parking garage. If the city wants to maintain Paso Robles as a " tourist destination", that's the only answer. Instead of spending all the money on a city hall, which is overbuilt with copper rain gutters.
The problem isn't which night to have the concerts in the park. The REAL problem is the "City of Paso Robles" needs to build a parking garage. If the city wants to maintain Paso Robles as a " tourist destination", that's the only answer. Instead of spending all the money on a city hall, which is overbuilt with copper rain gutters.
We too are sad to see the change if it happens. It is a chance to get with friends say hello unwind from the week. To have on a Thursday is hard on the locals for we still have to get up and still have to work for the new comer to town.
There are problems with parking downtown most nights and most of the restaurants are packed every Friday night of the concert series. If parking is the problem, which we know that it is despite the concert series, then that is what should be discussed with the City of Paso. Personally I think that change is hard and families will adjust to the change of day. Fridays are better in my opinion but that is not to say that Thursday's can't be fun as well. It will just take some adjusting.