Dear Editor:
As an independent jewelry designer, it’s my goal to open a
retail jewelry store in downtown Gilroy within the next 12
months.
Dear Editor:
As an independent jewelry designer, it’s my goal to open a retail jewelry store in downtown Gilroy within the next 12 months. I keep a vigilant eye on empty buildings downtown, hoping to find an owner who is amenable to a creative rental agreement in order to get a business in their long-unused building. But even a creative deal is scary in the downtown these days. Pickings are slim and a business like mine is faced with choosing between lesser evils if we really want to be in Gilroy’s downtown (as opposed to Hollister or Morgan Hill’s downtown instead).
Not only are there few buildings that were formerly jewelry stores (which would be optimal for me), but the available buildings have hideously wrecked storefronts that scream “huge financial commitment” just to make the place presentable – not to mention the fact that the downtown is a hodge-podge of this and that with no obvious plan in place to ensure a decent return on investment for store owners. No store owner can expect perfect neighbors, but we hope to get a location next to neighbors who will at least share a target market with us.
In my opinion, the downtown should be a RETAIL BUSINESS zone to encourage entrepreneurs like myself as well as the folks that will park and stroll the downtown in search of great eats and wonderful things to tempt the eye and pocketbook. Think of the sales tax generated by even one high-end jewelry store. And what about 10 other fresh businesses? We’re worth our weight in gold.
I’m sure Gilroy has a lot of untapped local talent possessed of an entrepreneurial spirit that would love to breathe life into the downtown. I’d love to help and do all I can to build a downtown in which I could be proud to locate my store. The downtown should be a Mecca of Gilroy’s diversity and local talent – something that attracts visitors. A medical facility of any type is not going to attract SHOPPING traffic.
I have two suggestions:
• A committee whose members are store owners, prospective store owners, and some residents that would love to have a downtown worthy of strolling – and a city council that would receive input from this committee. Input from these people could change the face of the downtown in a very positive way. Store owners and prospective store owners all know what they need to make money. If it’s good for us, it’s good for Gilroy and the downtown. I’m available.
• Provide a list of building owners that are willing to offer creative terms to businesses like mine so we can work together to turn these into income-producing buildings for everyone concerned. Empty buildings don’t encourage shoppers any more than they encourage prospective store owners.
I’m sure there are many people in the community willing to be tapped to help save the downtown. I am one such person. Tap me. I dare ya. I can be reached via email at cy*****@*************ls.com
Cynthia Clinton, Gilroy
Submitted Tuesday, July 22, to ed****@****ic.com
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
