As a concerned business owner I am surprised at the recent
decision to sell retail products at the new Gilroy Welcome Center
located at the outlets.
Dear Editor,
As a concerned business owner I am surprised at the recent decision to sell retail products at the new Gilroy Welcome Center located at the outlets.
As a government funded entity, The Welcome Center should not sell items on consignment while similar products are being sold by local, private enterprise.
With funds provided by the City of Gilroy, the Welcome Center and its consignment partners are exposed to zero risk while others are faced with the normal challenges of operating a business. I am confident the Gilroy Welcome Center’s intentions are not to include some retailers while excluding others. Their ability and interest to promote Gilroy are 100 percent sincere. However, as a government funded organization, the Welcome Center may find they are obligated to display/promote any local business which feels like they contribute to the tourism draw and tax base of Gilroy. The potential for these and other problems are real.
Current Welcome Center staff, and past and present Visitors Bureau board members have done an excellent job of drawing people and dollars to Gilroy. I hope they don’t jeopardize their hard work and dedication by entering into agreements that have the potential for so many problems that outweigh the possible gains.
Greg Bozzo, Gilroy
