Christmas has come early for a lot of companies in downtown San Jose.
Many say they’re seeing an enormous growth in gross sales this month, and the hope is the pattern continues into the new yr.
Christmas in the Park has undoubtedly had one thing to do with the growth in downtown site visitors, which has been considerably dormant over the final couple of years.
55 South companion Eric Nielsen mentioned the return of crowds and the cash they carry is simply what downtown wanted.
“The foot traffic is great,” he mentioned. “Christmas in the Park is a major driver downtown and it really helps out.”
Christmas in the Park is a 44-year custom downtown, and though the points of interest haven’t modified a lot in the previous couple of years, folks proceed crowding into the space to see it.
This yr, it appears a lot of these guests are additionally stopping by the native retailers and eating places alongside the approach.
November gross sales had been unhealthy for Nielsen’s neighbors, and October was even worse. But in December, he mentioned native retailers are seeing gross sales leap by roughly 20%. At his bar, it spiked 70 to 80%.
“The line gets a little bit nuts, and I feel bad on Friday nights and Saturday nights when there’s certain people that have been waiting for a really long time, but I think once they get inside, they have a really good time,” he mentioned.
Downtown Councilman Omar Torres mentioned he hears from retailers that the streets are cleaner and safer now, making it extra inviting for guests.
“We all work together – San Jose State, San Jose Downtown Association, the mayor, myself, and of course our Office of Economic Development,” he mentioned. “We are boots on the ground just making sure that we have a vibrant downtown San Jose.”
