The Mupu Bar & Grill - due to open August 1 - has worked with the city’s façade program. Gonzales Furniture is discussing same with the city, and also has plans to remodel.In addition, the city is about to launch an ambitious façade demonstration project. The project has been budgeted for several years, and will be undertaken to demonstrate how much façade improvements can impact the entire street.“We’ve chosen a stretch of five continuous storefronts, and we’re still taking to the owners” about the project, noted Margolin. “That way we can show that just a little paint can do much or even more.”Marco’s Appliance is relocating to a new Main Street location, where he plans to sell used and new appliances. “It’s a new adventure,” said owner Marco Hernandez, an appliance repairman. “Santa Paula has a good market for used appliances” that he acquires and rehabilitates for sale. Located at the former site of Donna T’s, Hernandez will share the large building with Sevi Sony, who deals in electronics both through sales and repair.Outside the Main Street area, much is also happening. “Applied Silicon (recently approved to open in Lemonwood Industrial Park) has called...they want to hire within the community,” said Margolin.Wallace Theater at the Von’s Shopping Center has also been a focus of Margolin’s. “I’ve been working very diligently with them to increase their visibility and marketing,” and implement improvement measures so Santa Paulans can enjoy a movie close to home.Other economic happenings include the recently opened Limoneira Mercantile, the independent Macarenas Furniture (to open at the Bender Industries complex facing Highway 126), the headquarters of Calavo moving to Santa Paula, and the former 76 Union service station being targeted as the home of the new Santa Paula Collection Museum.
Economic development a city and business owner priority
July 06, 2005
Santa Paula News
New businesses are opening, while others are sprucing up due the city and downtown merchants working together to revitalize the Main Street and other areas, according to Economic Development Specialist Rochelle Margolin.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesNew businesses are opening, while others are sprucing up due the city and downtown merchants working together to revitalize the Main Street and other areas, according to Economic Development Specialist Rochelle Margolin. “I’m the ‘show me the money’ person by finding the highest and best use for business buildings,” noted Margolin in a June interview. “It brings not only more sales tax to the city, but also foot traffic to the downtown. And the tenant mix is important, the synergy. And socially it benefits all.”Many new businesses that have opened and plan to open in the downtown have worked with the city, utilizing referrals to grant programs specifically targeting retail enterprise. “I’ll continue to work with business and property owners. The city has a lot of resources for business assistance funding...the city very much wants to encourage business,” and working with same is the “fun part of my job.”For existing businesses, the number one priority is improvement: “If business is not successful, it hurts the city overall. Good business creates a positive circle” of money turning over again and again, as well as attracting other businesses, noted Margolin.Working with new business can range from explaining business grant and funding programs to city demographics. Margolin and the city gave “lots of support,” to the owner of Kathleen’s Furniture, a new business that dovetailed into a renewed effort to keep South Alley behind the Goodwill Store clean.“I spoke with Goodwill management and requested alley cleanup by 10 a.m. each morning,” said Margolin. If Goodwill does not comply, the city will review its drop-off policy for the thrift store.The vintage clothing and antique store on East Main - used as a warehouse for years - is readying to open after city communications, and the fitness center is now open with city assistance. The new Santa Paula Coffee Company also took part in a city program to spruce up their building through a façade improvement program that included the impressive stained glass window. Many businesses need such incentives, and owners noted that they want be ready to profit from the area’s expected residential growth.
