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Some local businesses in downtown San Luis Obispo are closing or moving on to new chapters.
Local businesses KSBY News spoke to said it may be difficult to see other stores leave the community.
Marianne Seaborn, owner of Maison Marianne, has been operating her business off Chollo Street for many years, but she has decided to close it.
She plans to close the store at the end of this month.
“I decided at this point in my life that I wanted to retire and travel with my husband, who is already retired, and spend time with family far away,” she said.
Seaborne’s five-year lease is coming to an end, but she hopes her business will continue to thrive under someone’s care.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t find someone to pass the baton to,” Seaborn said. “That’s what I really wanted. To keep the business going. I realized that I couldn’t do it on my own anymore.”
Two San Luis Obispo restaurants closed last month. After four years, Taco Temple near Highway 101 closed on New Year’s Eve, and Tortilla Town’s owners were forced to close their restaurants last month.
“Unfortunately, we have decided to close our San Luis Obispo location at 890 Marsh Street, effective December 18, 2023. The lease has come to an end,” Tortilla Town’s owners said in a statement. said. Thank you for stopping by. We look forward to seeing you at our Paso Robles location. ”
Some local business owners say it’s important to shop local and help other businesses succeed.
“It makes me sad to see local stores close,” Passport employee Jeffrey Henderson said. “We feel it is our responsibility to shop local and support wherever we can.”
“When you shop local, your money stays in the city,” says Natalie Risner, owner of Apropos. “It supports my family, our family. I have kids, they go to dances and activities, and when you shop local, that money stays in the community.”
Others said parking fees downtown were making it difficult for locals to shop.
Even though parking is free for one hour, many parking lots charge $3 per hour.
“We continue to do everything we can as a city to attract locals and tourists and make it easier for them to park, come downtown and spend their money,” Seaborn said.
“We’ve seen large groups of local residents stop coming, and when they do come, they tell us how frustrated they are, and they’re still frustrated.” Risner said. “Even though they have free time. They’re still frustrated. The city needs to do more to bring locals back downtown.”
In addition to 1 hour of free parking, parking is free on Sundays. The City Council passed a motion stating that no other parking rate increases will go into effect until July 1, 2025.
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