Siskiyoutopia

I would be interested in receiving a copy of the entire report! Is my email address “available” to you to see? Thanks!

From what I read in the section you copied many of these ideas are still important today! Better hours! Yreka has a real opportunity to expand local business because of the vacancies downtown at this point, and because of the fuel prices! Shop locally and save your $ on fuel costs. If only our fuel prices were a bit lower folks wouldn’t make the trek to Medford to fill up with no-tax gas and products!

I would like to see more happening, but I bet nothing much will happen until after the election… and then it will be winter… and then a new study might be needed… (sorry, a bit cynical…)

I do know some of the things I have heard in negative to the downtown area is: poor set ups in the older buildings, electricity and adequate outlets, etc. are an issue as well as heating/air conditioning. I have also heard (but who knows if it is true…) that many folks who actually own the buildings live out of the area and charge very high rents ~ $1 a square foot per month — those are “bigger city” prices.

I can fondly remember Christmas shopping on Miner Street in 1980… the storefronts were all filled with merchants and decorations were up, it was just starting to snow ~ it was like a old time movie! I found wonderful little gifts and had a great time shopping that year! I would sure love to be able to do that again. It is much more interesting to wander from shop to shop rather than walking miles inside one big store with the same background music or noise!

I hope more will take advantage of what Miner Street has to offer, I still shop there when I can!

Claudia- I agree it is a lot more fun to shop ‘downtown’ than in the big department stores And I too hope that downtown will be a vibrant place once again. AND you are correct about the rents - I’ve researched it a ‘little’ and rents for some of these spaces are too high considering the inconvenience of being housed in 100 year old buildings! That is not true of all the spaces though - so it is worth the effort to explore all options.

I’ll send you the report!

I would love to see someone purchase the Franco American, refurbish it, and open it as a small hotel/restaurant. But then, folks would need a reason to stay in Yreka…

Thanks! I got the report! Now to find time to “digest” it all….

Zac - oh uhg! so cynical:) Ok, so Yreka could use some attractions, but check out the stuff to do this Saturday!! There is Seiad Valley Days, Siskiyou County Days, Montague is having a chili cook off, and city wide yard sales, a skateboarding competition in Weed and more.
But your point of view is REALLY valid! What would you like to see in Yreka? What would make it ‘cool’? Maybe we just need some new ideas! Gives me an idea - I think I’ll make my own list:)

As the owner of the Village Grind, we tried to stay open later for the concert dinners in the park and have had live music events, but unless there is more of a draw for people like all the shops staying open, it is futile. I had mentioned to our new chamber director a while ago, that it would be nice to have a “First Friday” event, where, on the first Friday evening of the month, the downtown merchants stay open later for everyone to be able to shop and socialize. Hood River Oregon does this “First Friday” every month during the summer and have heard it is a huge success. I cannot understand why this area is so stagnant when it comes to growth. I moved here in 1985 and the population has only grown by about 1000 in 23 years, and there is less going on in the downtown area now than there was then.

Markay, I love the idea! I think Claudia offered a similar idea - shops staying open late one day a week or one day a month. Maybe a merchants’ group would help move things along?

We love Village Grind! And I really enjoyed the concert Thursday evening - thanks for hosting it!

Markay, and all…. I do think it is a good idea, maybe if folks could at least get 2 or 3 stores to open for one night… or at least until 8:00 in winter and 9:00 in summer… why not encourage the farmers market folks to have their “booths” on Miner St. somewhere? It might help draw folks as well.

Here’s just an example, we had company this weekend, went sailing on Sat and came back to Yreka and thought we would walk down to pizza (Miner St.) for dinner. Hey, it is Saturday night! Yikes, they closed at 8:00 p.m. So… we had to find food elsewhere. There were only 6 of us, but I am sure we aren’t alone.

I also think Yreka needs to do a much better job of advertising what it is doing and when. Whether it is downtown revitalization, or stores being open/closed… or special sales, etc. how about a downtown brochure that all merchants pass out and folks can pick up about special events, times open/closed, etc. Also a website (even if really simple) for each merchant or a group of merchants for Miner Street? Google has free website construction and hosting, all you need is a gmail account and anyone who can send an email can figure out how to create a webpage their stuff is made to use easily! More info on Channel 4 perhaps ~ other ideas? A sheet of monthly specials or events for downtown! Pass them out door to door or leave at each merchant to pass out… they can be photocopies and not so expensive to print.

Other top of my head thoughts: how about “specials” for specific groups? Discounts for teachers if they show their school ID? Or students… (maybe on Friday’s or everyday…) Discounts for seniors always work… Discounts for families or folks with green eyes!

How about special items for people to give for presents ~ birthday’s, weddings, even for those in the hospitals… even simple things like a candle in a sandwich… stuff to make it fun and a tiny bit special for the recipient!

Wow Claudia! You have some great ideas! Will you run for president?!! I am going to talk to some of the merchants on miner, what few there actually are and see if we can get something going. I am also looking for talented people who would be interested in performing for an open mic night at the Village Grind once or twice a month, if you know of anyone. I think this would be fun! We have a pretty good crown for the Saturday (9:30-11am) morning Celtic Cats performance, some of the people that attend come every Saturday!

Markay,

Thanks! I may have ideas… but no clue if they will work. But my philosophy has always been give something a try, if it doesn’t work, try something else! It’s that old addage “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again!” If you try something, maybe just the “foody” places will do something together if the rest aren’t interested… but I bet if you pair up with at least two other businesses and find something interesting or unique to draw customers it will work. How about plans for Halloween? Something to get kids interested will also bring parents! Kids always love food…

I am sure if you write to other Chambers or organizations in other small towns you might see what they have done to encourage business. Steal their good ideas! :)

How about capitalizing on Miner St. History for a “History walk” Have folks find history clues in the plaques (or whatever…) and then go into the store to give the answer. Stamp their “report card” (or whatever…) and once it is filled they get a coupon for some % off, or a free coke, or something! That would get folks in the door to see what is there. Wouldn’t work for everyone and has inherent issues, but brainstorm with your friends and you will surely come up with great ideas to try!

BTW, here is an example of how poorly Yreka communicates. I bought a Siskiyou Daily News today to view the happenings and get information. The notice on page 3 about “Meet with Historic District and Landmarks Commission…” It does say they will hold their next meeting at its regularly scheduled meeting date of Thursday, Sept. 11. BUT IT DOESN’T SAY, WHERE OR WHAT TIME! Hello, is anyone home?