The Mercury Times highlighted the budget-driven demise of the Holiday parade this year. It is reporting
The holiday celebration on Burlingame Avenue won't be as merry this December, as officials said they can no longer afford the annual parade down the commercial drag.
The clincher was
Despite the foot traffic, shop owners said business suffers on the night of the parade because the main drag and some of the connecting streets are blocked to traffic.
The newly formed downtown business improvement district, to which merchants pay fees for joint advertising and projects, said it did not want to fund the event.
I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic about the holiday season for local retailers. The Avenew is reviving a bit, air travel is up as are the airlines profits so hopefully B'game's TOT (transient occupancy or "hotel" tax) will be up too and the parade can return in 2011.
Time to check out a new market "Farmers Market" on the northeast corner of Broadway at Paloma. The shelves are being stocked with many gourmet and ethnic items, at reasonable prices. They also carry a great assortment of produce, as well as some meat. The clerk mentioned that they expect to open an in house bakery, as well.
The murals alone, hand-painted with loving care above each section, make it well worth the visit. They are BEAUTIFUL.
SHOP BURLINGAME and keep our own merchants in business. This is a great addition to Broadway, and compliments Earth Beam, up the street.
Posted by: jennifer | December 09, 2010 at 04:54 PM
Broadway is the best that Burlingame has to represent.
It was not long ago that Broadway was a "Back Street" to get to HWY 101.
Broadway is the Gem of Burlingame.
It is the first shopping district that people from the Hotels see.
Lucky for us.
The COB Elders really dropped the ball regarding development on Burlingame Ave.
WHEN WILL THE STREET BE REPAIRED?
I know Jerry Deal has a giant SUV, so he is still able to get to Council meetings.. this week.
If some repair work is not done soon,all the COB Elders may have to Car Pool with Jerry, just to get to City Hall.
Posted by: holyroller | December 09, 2010 at 07:58 PM