A New Year and the state of the local economy
In a shift from its first three meetings, the Jan. 18 “What’s Up Salida” coffee was a business-focused event, this time with more than 60 attending.
Michael Varnum, board member/past president of the Salida Chamber of Commerce invited the areas business owners to give their assessment as to the state of Salida’s economy in 2023. Nicole Balun, co-owner with Jim Balun of Su Casa! Furniture & Sleep Shop reported what she described as an ‘odd year’.
“The first quarter of 2023 was absolutely amazing, yet the fourth quarter was ‘interesting —lower than normal’, resulting in a year overall that was virtually equal with 2022,” said Balun.
Adriane Kuhn of Little Red Tricycle recounted a “really good” holiday season. Making a pitch on how to appeal to shoppers and ‘Buy Local’, she defined locals as “anyone within a one-hour driving radius of Salida.”
She cited residents coming up from Fremont and Custer County to shop as well as those over in the San Luis Valley and visitors just ‘passing through’ on U.S. 50 and U.S. 285. “We should consider people traveling to Salida for Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) Center appointments,” she added.
The conclusions of the various businesses: Salida businesses must widen their horizons and think of the magnet for visitors of medical tourism as well as arts, heritage, and four-season recreation as reasons for coming to Salida.
Open for business. Photo by Álvaro Serrano on Unsplash
They also reminded attendees that it is important to make it compelling for locals to visit the city’s brick and mortar stores and to come downtown, versus retreat to the ease of armchair shopping online.
Kristy Falcon of AMICAS sounded a more measured tone about how the restaurant is currently faring. She candidly acknowledged that AMICAS is currently in a Chapter 11 “reorganization” bankruptcy. In these cases, the debtor remains “in possession,” has the powers and duties of a trustee, may continue to operate its business, and may, with court approval, borrow new money.
AMICAS, working with its lenders and suppliers, is “operating normally and appreciates the community support,” said Falcon. Anecdotal observations suggest that traffic is up over the December holiday period, with skiers dining in the late afternoon and early evening.
Allie Stevens of Monarch Mountain confirmed that recent snowfall was helping though others noted that recent avalanche control on Monarch Pass had made for some challenges. Eva Egbert, also of Monarch, tipped attendees that a special 85th anniversary celebration is on tap for this year with details to be announced at a later date.
City of Salida updates
Image courtesy of the City of Salida.
City of Salida Administrator Christy Doon, Parks and Recreation Director “Diesel” Post, and Community Development Director Bill Almquist were on hand to answer questions.
PJ Bergin asked about the possibility of more bike racks downtown, pointing out that Salida still seems to be “car-oriented”.
Almquist responded that a two-pronged solution is needed; a 2025 initiative to add bike and bench amenities, that could encourage locals to walk or bike more. Second, options for faster turnover of downtown spots and even remote parking /shuttles for visitors driving in from a distance, who may struggle finding downtown parking.
A follow-up from business owner and cruiser-cycling fan, Nicole Balun agreed with the need for more bike racks and asked about a repeat of the 2022 City of Salida Clean Commute Challenge. Almquist and Doon said local firm’s “TerraQuest” mobile app was no longer available and that analysis had shown the business model was no longer viable.
One man asked about use of the currently vacant, city-owned lot at First and D. Almquist said that dirt work is expected to start on that site shortly, readying it for workforce housing.
Post recapped several highlights of “trail counter” data for the first full year of 2023. One startling statistic: 445,000 people passing by the counter at Sackett and F Street at the entrance to Riverside Park. Salida Mountain Trails (SMT) also has trail counter data at their key locations.
He added that complete data will be included in the Parks and Recreation 2023 Annual Report.
Speaking about plans for public bathrooms, Post said that they are revisiting what types of facilities people want versus what city staff can effectively manage. He noted that there are complaints about needle usage in parks, saying “The department may need to add Sharps containers similar to what is located in front of the Salida Library and in the Touber Building, to reduce hazards to the public and city staff.”
Newly elected Salida Council Member Aaron Stephens acknowledged a question from Scarlett Massine about parking meters downtown. Administrator Doon explained that the proposed contractor, Interstate Parking Management has great flexibility in tailoring programs for mountain towns that allow for resident and employee parking and timed parking enforcement.
It could also offer a potential new revenue stream for the city to help fund permanent, city-owned parking lots. A second reading and public hearing is set for Feb. 6 on the parking management contract and Doon encouraged everyone to attend and be fully informed.
Citizen comments in City Council meetings make it apparent that locals (including business owners) are looking for candid responses from elected officials on a number of continuing hot topics, including recent council actions on Short Term Rental (STR) rates, the proposed parking management program, the F Street Plaza, and an intensifying controversy surrounding council member Harald Kasper’s residency in Ward 3.
Business and other news briefs
With more than a dozen speakers briefly announcing their news, a limited number, with communitywide interest are highlighted here.
- Rotary Club of Salida – Scarlett Massine announced that the club has received two, $10,000 scholarships from the Colorado Grand Road Rally and will also offer $18,000 in scholarships of their own. Applications will be provided in March.
- The Salida Chamber of Commerce Annual Community Awards and Auction is set for 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Feb. 9. Lisa Walner requested items of any kind as donations, including a special offer for donations from local artists where they may choose to retain some of the proceeds.
- Salida Sunrise Rotary spokesperson Dave Armstrong announced the 10th Anniversary Home & Garden Show for April 6-7, 2024 and said that booth spaces are available for rental now.
- Su Casa! Furniture & Sleep Shop will be celebrating their 15th anniversary, Feb. 6 to Feb 10 with the entire store at 15 percent off.
- Dan R from Heart of the Rockies Radio reported that their holiday season “Shop Local” campaign is continuing and asked for ideas from the business community on multiple ways to help get that message across.
- Tim Brown, professional photographer is operating Salida Tintypes, working from a unique, naturally-lit studio.
Thoughts from Chamber Executive Director Lori Roberts
Ark Valley Voice followed up with Lori Roberts to get a sense of what direction these meetings might take as they continue to evolve. Roberts described meeting goals of being “organic, spontaneous, informal, and free-ranging –to keep it interesting.”
“It’s a chance to have a conversation and meet people you might not otherwise come across,” she added. One aspect, already in evidence, is people being free to piggyback on someone’s question, add an angle, and perhaps offer a solution or provide inspiration for fresh thinking.
Roberts related that County Commissioner P.T. Wood told her after the meeting that he loved the concept; and great energy and information sharing that he found there. “The community welcomes honesty, respect for each other, and a sense of humor and these are attributes the Chamber hopes to continue each month.”
To provide ongoing feedback, Chamber staff can be reached at 719-539-2068. Roberts notes that continuing topics that don’t fit in a given session may be carried over to the next meeting.
The Salida Chamber notes it is grateful for the service of their Executive Board, with Michael Varnum, past President, remaining on the board, Kirk Bremer as the incoming President, Vice President Joni Baker, together with continuing Secretary Ron Fore, and Rich Mancuso, Treasurer.
Editor note: The February session will be held at at 8:30 a.m. on the usual third Thursday, Feb. 15.
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