Outlook for 2010 is Serious for Small Business

With City TOT for the 3 qtr 2009 reporting a decrease in lodging of about 7% compared to the same period in 2008, sales tax revenues will likely follow. The recession of 2009 will certainly become the recession of 2010 as Valley Merchants continue to endure the recession's pain with no relief in sight.

Columnist Jan Norman on the outlook for small business in 2010: Small Business Outlook Small businesses across the country are hunkered down and see nothing on the horizon to alter the current trends in retail sales figures and business climate.

Throwing in the towel locally late in November, Alexandra's Emporium on Village Dr and the Super Bear Arcade become the latest casualties of extreme economic condition and the cold reality of our local marketplace. Stubborn vacancies are certainly an issue, in the Village and elsewhere with thousands of square feet of commercial/retail space available.

The winter of 2010 has the makings of being a special kind of harsh for local small business.

New Retail Shops open in the Village

The Village is still losing ground with vacancies through the last quarter of 2009 with the opening of Allato Gellato on Pine Knot at the Alpine Suites and the Grizzly Mountain Gourmet an upscale food, wine and beer with a deli counter in the old Bear Mountain Coffee store next to Hunter Halls on Village Dr. On the negative side of the chart is the closing of The Pub and Big Bear Souvenir and Gift, both on Pine Knot. More bad news is the buzz that one of the larger Women's Clothing store is going to close before the still illusive Christmas Season begins.

I am certainly looking forward to the opening of the Copper Q, a kitchen and food oriented concept with coffee and pastries in the former Creative Cottage space which went dark almost one year ago. I don't think the "Q" will open before the new year. Best of luck to Kent and Linda as the site is starting to take shape!

Slippery Slope

From Fast Food, the Internet, Big Box, Big Money, Cheap Land, Economic Incentives and everything else under the capitalistic sun that warms us, the competition probably has an advantage over the Big Bear Valley.

A little late in entering the race, (OK, really late) the vision required for the Big Bear Lake Community to really compete in the regional retail marketplace will require the one ingredient that will be the key to each and every success story we will ever read about. Innovation.

Innovation, combined with natural strengths, realistic goal setting and the will to work until one's goals are achieved are the elements of any home run, smash hit, best seller or happy ending. I believe you can apply the same formula to form a successful business plan.

The reality is however, that competition has never been tougher, but the rewards of economic prosperity for families and community will always be worthy of what ever it takes to achieve. How could it not?

I recently read a great article on the cultural aspect of competition and an intangible adversary. Author Jules Pieri on how the "discount Culture" is killing our economy.

Our successful vision will recognize the slippery slope of community planning and require the imagination to incorporate the innovation required to enhance our natural strengths to overcome our adversaries might.

Sedona AZ Voters Want to Elect Their Mayor

There has been talk for some time about the voters here in Big Bear Lake electing a Mayor with a popular agenda who would be accountable to produce results in achieving his/her agenda.

Both side of the debate have valid points on whether this would really change anything at all. I think it might at least cause all of our elected leaders run more on issues and be more specific on goals during their terms.

Read the article by Tommy Acosta below;

Sedona Voters to Decide

September 22 IA Meeting: Will the City Council Sell the Village?

On September 22. 2009 at 8:30 AM at the Northwoods Resort, the Big Bear Lake Improvement Agency and the Planning Commission will be presented 9 more Low Income Housing Developments proposed by prospective development partners. In the Meeting Agenda dated 9/15/09, the Improvement Agency states it has determined where to get the best advise on where, Low Income Housing (LIH) is constructed in our city. That advise, and proposals will be heard from the developers who will ultimately profit from the federal and city funds, tax deferments and tax credits sold off to large financial institutions for construction funds.


http://www.citybigbearlake.com/documents/IAagenda092209.pdf


I have asked around, and to date, have yet to hear of any public involvement by any citizen from any of our many neighborhoods, business groups or organizations in determining where LIH might work in our city. Apparently we are asking developers where they would like to build. While we have a zoning map, it is clear the IA will implement re-zoning to meet a quota instead working to a plan that would make best use of our limited resources, and community infrastructure.

The pitfall of this latest city agenda is that there is no plan and any decisions we make approving these Low Income Housing Projects (LIHP's) will forever limit our ability to successfully craft a plan that meets even the basic guidelines and recommendations set forth in our General Plan of 1999.



As the IA has already committed it's entire 5.2 million set aside for Low Income Housing, (Knickerbocker Rd., The Crossings) the question is, where will the "funds available" advertised to the LIH development industry come from. The answer is that the IA will borrow against our future property taxes in order to make contributions equal to the Knickerbocker Development to quickly meet State mandates. All this before any City Master Development Plan can be formed with public involvement, to hell with the outcome. Big Bear Lake residents and businesses will be paying for these developments long after the City Council accountable for poor planning decisions and our top city administrators move on to greener pastures.


The threat to the Village is real with high density low income housing being proposed that would dominate the landscape and forever limit the growth of our Village Marketplace. The re-zoning and dumping hundreds of residential Low Income Housing units in the Village is poor planning on any level. The City's facilitating of these proposals is extremely risky and threatens the vitality of our retail economy. I truly regret that the city took this approach in an effort to meet current LIH quotas after 25 years of letting time pass without planning for this day.

Adding millions of dollars of debt to existing IA liabilities (that must be paid back by the year 2036) should be looked at very closely and perhaps by an independent firm, with new citizen-led oversight.

VBA Squares off Against City of Big Bear Lake over More Low Income Housing

In the September 2009 VBA Voice, President Charlie Brewster, in his Presidents Message, expresses his frustration with the lack of progress and the years of pleading with the City regarding improvements in Landscape and Lighting, Parking and Better Pedestrian Connections from the Village to the Lake. Earlier this summer, Village Merchants were awakened during their busiest season to learn a 42 unit government subsidized rental project was being approved that would create a hard boarder for future development of the Village on Knickerbocker at Pennsylvania, adjacent to the Elementary School, just as the large senior housing complex (owned by City Councilor Bill Jahn) has done on the South of the Village.

It seemed to me that at the Public Meetings regarding the hastily approved Knickerbocker Low Income Rental Complex, Residents, Merchants and the City Council (who unanimously approved the project despite pleas by Village Merchants to reconsider the location of the apartments as less than optimal for residents and the vitality of our Retail District) were assured by the Redevelopment Agency Director, that any more low income projects would be made widely know to all and certainly not be clustered in the Village area.


Apparently, the City does not consider the property on Badger and Bartlett (in the Village Specific Plan District) currently zoned Village Retail (the most restrictive zoning intentionally set aside for future retail expansion) to be worthy of mentioning to anybody, even as late as the first public workshop to update the current Village Specific Plan on August 31, 2009, that it is in the planning process for yet more subsidised housing.


As Verizon has already initiated splitting the parcel that they currently occupy, and have the property on Bartlett and on Badger in escrow pending approval of this new low income project, I assume promises have been made to the developer and Verizon as to the outcome of this latest stab by the City, to re-designate the vision and current use of Village property by the City's Redevelopment Agency and City Council.

In his message, Mr. Brewster urges all property owners and businesses to have their opinion heard by filling out his attached petition and making sure it is recognized by the City Council.

VBA Voice: http://tinyurl.com/nld932

Park City's Mayor Has a New Job

Can't help but be blinded by the contrast in the lifestyle differences for civic leadership in Park City and Big Bear Lake....

Jay Hamburger of the Park City Record: http://tinyurl.com/mc9hkn

ExploreBigBearLake in the Inland Empire Visitors Guide

Big Bear Lake Retail Merchants, Restaurants and Lodges have gotten together to get some exposure off the hill and promote Big Bear Lake as a destination worthy of consideration when it comes to Shopping, Dining or just some high quality Unwinding. The two page ad features the pristine beauty of our alpine landscape that provides an unequaled theme, year round Activities for the 39-55 demographic that seek a clean and healthy atmosphere, and wholesome Entertainment, Dining and Cultural Aspects that appeal to the Leisure Travel visitor. Many of our Fine Dining establishments are showcased on the www.explorebigbearlake.com web site as are over 100 other places in Big Bear Lake that will surely attract weekday as well as weekend visitors and staycationers.

Since inception in 2008, the Primary Goal for Big Bear Lake Retail Merchants, Restaurants and Lodges is the successful promotion of Big Bear Lake as a Leisure Travel Destination and to increase the number of visitors during weekdays and weekends in the shoulder seasons, providing a more consistent demand for our many Retail Oriented Businesses.

Directory and Maps USA from Redlands, CA are the publishers of the Inland Empire Visitors Guide, a full size, glossy magazine format printed piece about 100 pages. The publication is partially funded by the Inland Empire Tourism Council in partnership with the California Travel and Tourism Council.

150,000 Visitors Guides will be printed and distributed for the 12 months at SoCal California Welcome Centers, Chambers of Commerce, Tourism Trade Shows, and Mass Transit Hubs from San Diego to Bakersfield.

An online Visitors Guide will be available at www.visitinlandempire.com.

For information and to learn how you can join the move to improve, contact Tim Breunig at the United Wood Craftsmen Gallery in the Village.

Verizon motivated into action. What's up?

Public Notice From the Big Bear Grizzly 9/2/09:

CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKENOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSIONNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A PUBLIC HEARING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009, AT 1:15 P.M., FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE FOLLOWING ITEM:Project: Minor Subdivision 2009-178 (Tentative Parcel Map No. 19227), an application by Verizon California, Inc., property owners, represented by Jordan Gecht of Blu Croix, Ltd. to subdivide a 29,124 square foot property into two parcels. Parcel A is proposed to contain 14,559 square feet in area and Parcel B is proposed to contain 11,641 square feet in area. The properties are currently developed with an office building and telecommunications facility and these structures are proposed to remain. The subject property is located at 560 Bartlett Road, identified as Assessor Parcel Number 0308-163-53, and is zoned Village Retail (VR) and Public-Quasi Public (PQP). This project has been determined to be exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15315, of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Case Planner: Ruth Lorentz. The public hearing will be held at the City of Big Bear Lake Hofert Hall, 39707 Big Bear Boulevard. Any person may appear and be heard in support or opposition to the proposal at the time of the hearing. Please address written responses to the Planning Division, Post Office Box 10000, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315-8900. Information on the above items is available for review at the Planning Division, 39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake, (909) 866-5831, fax: (909) 866-7511, e-mail: bblplan@citybigbearlake.com.If you challenge the above action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues which you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice or any future public hearing on this item, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at or prior to the public hearing.The City of Big Bear Lake wishes to make all of its public hearings accessible to the public. If you need special assistance to participate in this hearing, please contact the City Clerk’s office at (909) 866-5831. Notification 48 hours prior to the hearing will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this hearing.

Clear and Focused Goals

I was just forwarded a recent email from City Councilor Michael Karp, addressed to "Citizens" that in my opinion, punctuates the one major point that is more or less the root of most all other reasons our Retail Marketplace pales in comparison to so many communities in Southern California and the greater region (destination resort communities) that have showcased their Merchants, Restaurants and Lodges to attract shoppers and visitors from a very wide region. The increased retail activity resulting from effective marketing of the new retail offerings generate jobs, incomes, community pride and the needed sales tax revenues that provide budgetary growth allowing local governments to provide community infrastructure improvements that we all seem to desire. Some communities call this an ‘economic development plan’.

That one point Mr. Karp divulges is that 'Retail' is viewed by more than just a few, as nothing but a backdrop for our Alpine Recreation Sector and the City's bottomless residential property tax well and is not given the respect it deserves as a major source for economic growth, adding jobs and providing incomes for locals that will not require any additional impact of the forest we all enjoy.

But without a strong unified voice, and clear and focused goals for improvements to our Marketplace, Big Bear Retail Businesses can only expect that the status quo will surely prevail and not much will ever change. If we simply leave it to the City Council, City Employees and those that many of us think are 'in charge' of such decisions and policy that could successfully enhance a retail business climate and allow prosperity and growth for our many struggling shops and restaurants, we can expect no more than we currently have.

Like Mr. Karp, I too urge Retail Business and Property Owners, their employees and families to attend the visioning meeting on Aug 31, and speak up for our ailing Marketplace. We should all seek to make real improvements that will truly benefit our community. Don’t allow our goals to be bogged down with a lot of new and restrictive ordinances that have been the source of so much disinvestment and disappointment over the past 20 some years of slow, painful and inadequate retail development in our commercial districts. Business and property owners must join forces and lend their collective experience to the efforts at hand that can shape our future, and see that well intended politicians understand what elements actually drive a retail marketplace and to set, and meet, clear and focused goals.

City Manager gives/gets $36,000 Pay Raise

As the Executive Director of the Big Bear Lake Improvement Agency, Big Bear Lake City Manager Jeff Mathieu authored the Agenda report recommending the Improvement Agency pay the City Manager (himself) $36,000 in addition to his City Managers Pay.

Our City Manager is already The Improvement Agency Director's Boss (Lyle Haynes) and the Executive Director of the Improvement Agency itself. The Agenda Report in the BBL City Council's Regular Meeting Agenda (8/24/09 item 1.9) states the additional tasks Mr. Mathieu might undertake for the additional pay. This would certainly leave the Improvement Agency Director free to ....? I'm not sure just what. In my opinion, most everything listed as additional duties for the City Manager, one would expect to be done as either the Director of the Improvement Agency or possibly as the boss of a Director of the Agency.

In a recent Big Bear Grizzly poll, it seems the majority of the folks that responded thinks that our City Government is out of touch with the community. This kind of unanimous spending by the City Council would appear to give that opinion a lot of credence, as many folks are doing more than ever just to keep a job, never mind the lavish increase in lifestyle for just showing up to work.

I don't have a real problem with the City Manager. He is entitled to everything he successfully negotiates. I do have a problem with the lack of representation on the taxpayers behalf in these type of negotiations and the lack of measurable goals set to the salaries we pay our City Employees. These are property tax dollars set aside for real redevelopment that we are currently slathering about City Hall. With no set goals or even a vague sense of direction on what we are setting out to accomplish within our Redevelopment Districts, there is no way to justify the expenditure, or determine if we are getting what we are paying for.

Here is the Grizzly's take on the pay raise. http://tinyurl.com/l3f38p

Here is the Agenda. Scroll to page 188 for the specific language in the pay raise. http://tinyurl.com/nvosna

Updating the Village Specific Plan 2009

The City of Big Bear Lake is holding a VILLAGE COMMUNITY PLANNING MEETING on August 31 at 6:00 PM at the Performing Arts Center. Call 909-866-5831 for more information.

Tag line on the Chamber of Commerce email is HELP THE CITY UPDATE THE VILLAGE SPECIFIC PLAN.

Along with a much needed update, Property and Business owners need to develop a strategy for implementing the Village Specific Plan in a measurable and steady progression. Simply having a specific plan for any area is just an exercise without specific goals set by the community and our elected leaders as evidenced by the progress made by the city and the current VSP.

This new effort is commendable but has to be sealed with an actionable plan to make necessary improvements and allow development that will allow us to better compete in the regional retail marketplace.

Oh No! Not Another Organaization...

Park City Utah has a permanent population of about 8000. There are a few differences between the Big Bear Valley and Park City but when it comes to potential, I believe we have many advantages over Park City.

Park City does have a very efficient Retail Marketplace with close to $450MM in taxable sales annually. That is considerably more than the City of Big Bear Lake and probably considerably more than our entire trade area.

Another thing they have is 9 business associations, each giving a voice to their own segment and specific needs. Apparently, it works pretty well.

Park City Business Associations:

1. Business Network International: (435) 731-0239
2. Coalville Area Business Association: (435) 336-2391
3. Historic Main Street Business Alliance, Ken Davis, president: (435) 658-9612
4. Park City Restaurant Association, Eileen Dunn, chair: (435) 640-133
5. Park City Women s Business Network: (877) 246-2858
6. Prospector Square Property Owners Association: (435) 645-7888
7. Park City Lodging Association, Terry Whitney: (435) 649-6400
8. Park City Chamber/Bureau: 649-6100
9. Kimball Junction Business Association, Kim McKew: (435) 575-0265

SoCal Bankruptcies Soar in June

Equifax is reporting Southland bankruptcies rose dramatically in June 2009 compared to 2008. Nearly 3000 commercial bankruptcies were filed in Riverside / San Bernardino Counties this past June. That's more than an 80% increase over 2008. Similar numbers were reported for Orange and Los Angeles Counties.

Jan Norman on June Bankruptcies: http://tinyurl.com/prjmma

Action Zipline Tours Good to Go

The Onyx Summit site has been approved for the proposed zipline course and daily tours to the area despite neighboring property owners contentious opposition. Action Zipline's home base will be in Big Bear Lake.

Michael Neufeld's report from Rim of the World: http://www.rimoftheworld.net/3931

Traffic Round-a-Bouts for Moonridge?

Several options for reducing speeds on Moonridge were delineated at the Moonridge Visioning Meeting, held recently at Hofert Hall, by the City of Big Bear Lake Improvement Agency the Consultant hired by the agency to assemble all the comments given by property owners and business operators from the Moonridge Redevelopment District.

Scenarios including different mixes of potential Hotels, Condos, and Commercial developments from Big Bear Blvd. all the way to the Moonridge 'Y' where the agency's land planners envisioned a hotel property being constructed.

The link below is a historical summary of Sadona Arizona's current project to install Round-a-Bouts. I think Dick Kun's neck hair may be twitching.

Vision is key to success. Good luck to all my friends in Moonridge!

http://www.sedona.biz/why-roundabouts-sedona0109.htm

SoCal Small Business Feeling the Pain

In Big Bear Lake, you can see it from the street. Lots of empty commercial space gone vacant. We get the question from customers all the time.. what's going on? The economic down turn has certainly added to the woes of many mom and pop's here in the valley. Business Columnist Jan Norman has some staggering facts as to just what is happening. Click the link below for some insight.

Jan Norman on business woes.

CARPE DIEM: Thomas Sowell on the "Affordable Housing Crusade"

CARPE DIEM: Thomas Sowell on the "Affordable Housing Crusade"

The Buxton Report

The Buxton Report was commissioned by the City of Big Bear Lake to evaluate our local retail marketplace. The original report was to be released as early as Sept. 2008.

A special meeting was posted on July 10 by the city to hold a workshop around the report on July 13, 2009 at 9:00 AM in the morning.

The current version of the report is available @ http://www.citybigbearlake.com/documents/IA071309sp.pdf

I fear this report and the data provided (Buxton Report dated July 13, 2009) may be interpreted by some as “Wow! We must be doing ok!” when in fact we are not. Or that the report says we need a Wal-Mart, when in fact it does not.

What the report fails to do is factor in the complex and unique retail marketplace that has evolved over our long and rich history, built, for the most part, by the seat of our pants. Our marketplace has developed and adapted from many directions and from the weight of many forces, but the common fuel for continued success has always been (as articulated in the Buxton Report) revenues from tourism.

What is not articulated in the report, but needs to a part of the conversation, is the actual demand for goods and services represented in the number of visitors to the Valley each year. Nor does the report estimate projected leakage of sales as we are able to increase tourism on weekdays and in shoulder seasons.

In my opinion, the best source of council for determining the need for infrastructure investments to our retail marketplace has always been from the many merchants, lodge and restaurant owners who have put in so many years of hard work to maintain the happy face of Big Bear Lake for the millions of visitors we greet each year. These valued members of the community know what no consultant can, and I am sure would be more than willing to advise the Council and it’s staff given the opportunity.

I believe all potential for our existing small businesses to prosper and for the growth of our retail sector to become a provider, instead of a backdrop, will be in our willingness to compete in the region at a much higher level, with focused goals, around a significant investment in retail infrastructure, and amenities provided our visitors, taking advantage of our natural landscape and quaint, small town atmosphere.
The report does clearly identify the excellent job our local retailers do in meeting the needs of their customers as outline in the leakage/surplus analysis and clearly identifies our target demographic (page 12 of the report) as one that is older, wealthier and a little more sophisticated, than to date, many of us have understood.

Mitigate Parking and Circulation during Special Events?

Nearly everybody agrees the Special Events can attract more visitors to our mountain community. I can’t believe that any less would not agree that every negative impact any event brings with it should be mitigated to offset that impact so that the net outcome of the event is one that all can enjoy and be proud of.

A favorite expression of some, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is fair enough in context, however, if we are all just used to operating a broken or inefficiently outdated tool and just don’t consider it ‘broke’, it is nonetheless, broke. If ‘it’ is intended to make life better, or easier, it would be quite appropriate to go ahead and make repairs or even replacement to insure the desired outcome. Even if reworking existing event plans require some investment of resources to achieve a mutually successful experience.

In the case of major events in the Village, (the upcoming Car Show as an example) to go through the planning process without including into the event plan, worthwhile and effective mitigation measures that would offset negative impact on commercial and residential tenants, businesses, parking, pedestrian and vehicular access and loss of revenues for any number of brick and mortar merchants who have but a fixed number of weekends in the year to make the rent, is simply unjust.

To elaborate the point; The Car Show takes up nearly all the parking on Village Dr. Pine Knot Ave and the entire Bartlett Parking Lot. To replace lost parking (mitigate the negative impact on infrastructure function) the Event Planner will:
1. Provide the same number of parking places where?
2. Provide free shuttles from parking to where?
3. etc.

I have heard the myth that some merchants just choose to complain about everything. I rebuke that myth as an excuse for us not to take time to do the best job possible. The concept that any merchant is just out to keep any special event from being successful is no truer than the concept of any special event intending harm or disrespect to any merchant or economic sector. This argument should not be allowed the oxygen it takes to say the words.

I believe that the focus of the Planning Commission and Event Planners should be to proactively identify all potentially negative impacts of any special event on all those affected, and successfully mitigate those impacts to the benefit of the event and the community, by avoiding disruption to affected businesses and residential neighborhoods.

In my opinion, we do not do enough in the way of mitigating even the long standing, well identified negative impacts of major events in the Village, like the issue of parking capacity and pedestrian circulation. These are not complex issues and can be readily addressed if made a priority during the planning process.

Many of our Village Merchants are truly struggling to stay afloat at this writing. Weekends in the summer need to be considered no less than sacred ground when considering the deletion of parking spaces and hindering vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

A new level of understanding in needed on the part of Event Planners and City Planning Staff, to raise the level of support for, and doing what it can to enhance the economic survival of our small business community now and in the future.

So Cal's Summer Vacation Plans

If there is any bright spot in the current economic downturn, it's the fact that many Southern California families are still going to take vacation this summer. AAA says that in fact vacation plans by Auto Club Members are off significantly compared to 2007 & 2008. http://news.aaa-calif.com/pr/aaa/summer-travel-survey-0609.aspx?ncid=6058

And sure there is belt tightening, but of the surveyed, only about 5% more than those surveyed in 2008 said they were going to spend less than last year while on vacation. But when you take into consideration that 40% of those surveyed are going to stay right here in California, there may be a bright spot in the numbers for Big Bear Lake.

Also in the survey, are some interesting hot buttons for vacation planners, something we have been trying to improve on when marketing our own marketplace here in Big Bear Lake.

"When rating highly important reasons for taking their first trip of this summer:

88 percent said the vacation destination was a highly important factor
73 percent cited cost
65 percent said entertainment/recreation
63 percent rated the ease of reaching the destination as highly important
57 percent cited proximity to family/friends
40 percent rated a friend’s/relative’s recommendation as highly important
40 percent cited a special event"

Big Bear Lake rates naturally high in several of these key areas or part of these areas. It would serve Retail Merchants, Lodges and Restaurants well to improve in weaker areas and then heavily promote our marketplace as the ideal vacation and leisure travel destination for Southern California on a permanent basis, all round.

Merchants, Restaurants and Lodges should be putting all their marketing efforts into letting leisure travel demographic know about just how Big Bear Lake fits into what they are looking for in a vacation or get-a-way.

Big Bear Lake Economic Summit

The need for a new marketing and advertising strategy has never been greater for Big Bear Lake Retail Merchants, Restaurants and Lodges. While recovery for the general economy is sure to happen eventually, Big Bear Lake Businesses are suffering. Doors continue to close.

While the general tone for the 2009 Economic Summit, held on June 4, 2009, was a lot of business as usual and offered little to address what is needed or wanted by business, there was some news from the Big Bear Lake Redevelopment Director, Lyle Haynes, with (as far as I know) the first public mention of the possibility of forming Business Improvement Districts for ongoing funding of infrastructure improvements, events and marketing, all in the name of economic development for the City.

Another desperately needed action, to address the Big Bear Lake Development Code, was mentioned briefly.

It was mentioned that for property owners and business to develop properties to meet the best and greatest use and for individual businesses to compete in today's marketplace, serious changes are needed in both the Development Code and the Village Specific Plan. The changes would include density, use, parking and zoning. While this has been an important issue and needs attention, the changes would affect future development of commercial property and does not address anything in the near future.

The Big Bear Lake Resort Association presented current marketing strategy and an overview of scaled back plans for the coming year with their revenues taking a hit as fewer visitors are spending less money with their members this year.

Affordable housing projects were mentioned in the Redevelopment presentation. Both projects currently seeking approval in the Village were mentioned. I for one will aggressively oppose both of these projects based on the location and the irreversible long terms effects they would have on future commercial development and expansion of the Village. There must be some sort of policy set that these types of development should replace existing small and older residential units and be constructed in existing dense residential areas. One good idea that came up was to just let the affordable housing money revert back to the County and let them (the County) construct affordable housing in the unincorporated areas of the Valley.

Village Merchants Planning First Wine Walk Event

Village Merchants are gathering steam to host the first Wine Walk Event in the Village. A number of Merchants have agreed to pitch in to host the event. The first event would benefit the local Meals on Wheels efforts.

Village Merchants have made a formal proposal to the VBA for their support to aid in making the first event happen this summer.

The event will be a self guided tour form Northwoods Resort to Pine Knot Marina and is one of many events the retail community is actively trying to put into place in order to better compete in the regional marketplace by attracting more get-a-way and leisure travel customers from throughout SoCal.

Rassmussen takes temperature of Small Business

The confidence of 20 million small business owners takes a dip for the worse. Cash flow problems on the rise. More from Jan Norman on Small Business outlook: http://jan.freedomblogging.com/2009/05/26/business-owners-turn-more-pessimistic/14481/

A tip for our City Council as they wrap up the 09-10 budget.. Park City, UT has found themselves a bit short of projected revenues as major lodging interests file for bankruptcy before paying local bed taxes (The Block right here in Big Bear Lake). Might there be more on the horizon? TOT is a major percentage of our General Fund.

Park City Utah

Some interesting facts off the Park City Website.

• Park City was founded as a silver-mining town in 1869. By 1900, it was a booming mining town with 10,000 residents and 100 saloons
• Second largest silver strike in U. S., 1200 miles of mining tunnels under the city; the deepest mining shaft is 2600’ Flagstaff Mountain was the first mining claim in the Park City area; George Hearst owned the Ontario Mine
• Summit County was one of the fastest growing counties in the US during the 1990’s
• Park City population: 8,066 in the City; 21,000 additional in Snyderville Basin
  Elevation: 7000’ at Main Street (ranges from 6500’- 10,000’)
• City Size: 17.6 square miles
• Average Daily Water Consumption: 4. 6 million gallons
  School Population: 4,336 (Fall 2008)
• Assessed Property Valuation: $4,635,372,939 (Primary residences); $5,602,376,327 (Vacation homes)
• Number of Primary Dwelling Unit: 3,179
• Number of Secondary Homes/ Units: 4,773
• Lodging capacity: 23,307(pillow count)
• Gross Taxable Sales: $450 million in City
• Number of Restaurants: 131
• Number of Park City Business Licenses: 1,917
• Number of Retail Store: 286 in Park City & Basin
• Number of City Police Officers: 24 full-time, 16 part-time
• Number of City Employee: 305 full-time equivalents
• Number of Miles of City Roads: 121

Park City Toursim Recognized by Local Leadership

Developing our Retail Marketplace and Tourism Offering is Paramount to local growth and prosperity for small business and their employees. I think we would do well aspiring to be the Park City of California.

Recent story below from the Park City Record on Park City Tourism.

http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_12379908

US Travel Association and Toursim Workers Rally

Tourism is off in Vegas, Park City and other destinations. Folks that are planning a vacation are planning on staying closer to home.

Oskar Garcia on Tourism. http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/12/nv-tourism-rally-051209/?california

There may be an opportunity Big Bear Lake. Can we take advantage? If so, how will we do it?

Spring Brings Flowers and more Business Closures

Some more negative movement in retail and commercial vacancies in April 2009 include these Big Bear Lake Storefronts: 1. Friendz Salon (had recently relocated to smaller space) Moonridge Rd, 2. Edelweiss Books on Village Dr., 3. Big Bear Souvenir and Gift (had recently relocated to smaller space) Pine Knot Ave., 4. Burger King on Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Real Estate Village Dr. Office, Cool Cabins Village Dr. Office and the 5. Mineral Shop on Village Dr. has closed and vacated the space. 6. Scrapbooking Stampede (recently moved to Blvd from Moonridge) has closed and vacated the space in Summit Plaza.



On the Recently Rented Front: 1. The Chrome Stop has reopened on Red Ant Hill and Mill Creek, 2. The Kite Factory has reopened on the other side of the Blvd at Alden. 3. Forrest Farms Market and Deli has taken a much smaller space in the Verizon Plaza with Sandy's Sports Bar and Bear Valley Printing. 4. Get the Burger will reopen in the former Sushi Ai at Big Bear Blvd. and Fox Farm.

Fast Food Fatality

The Big Bear Lake Fast Food Franchise Burger King, on Big Bear Blvd., Closed and Boarded Up. This unattractive reality is just another in our ever growing list of retail vacancies. I hope the upcoming economic summit hosted by the Big Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce focuses on real strategy and plans to combat the 3 year decline in retail revenues the City has seen and promotes an emergency plan of action by civic and business leaders to stem the growing numbers of business failures in the valley. The questions and answers should pertain to; what are we doing? who is doing it? and when is it going to be done? What we don't need is eight hours of how we can all get along while going broke.

Arissa Turner on Burger King:
http://www.bigbeargrizzly.net/articles/2009/05/06/news/doc4a00cdbb182f4998857814.txt

Orange County Retail Vacancies up 70% year to date

Jeff Collins on Orange County Retail Vacancies:

O.C. retail vacancies jump 70 percent

Sol Food & Equada Yoga Give Back in Big Way

Cathrine Sandstrom on proceeds from Equada's Community Class on Tuesdays.
http://kbhr933.com/current-news/local-businesses-give-yoga-class-results-healthy-food-families/

Big Bear Lake Retail to Debut Ad in Inland Empire Visitors Guide

A new 2 page ad in the Inland Empire Visitors Guide featuring the Big Bear Lake Retail Marketplace will be finalized this month. The glossy magazine format publication comes out in June, 2009 and is distributed at California Welcome Centers and Major Transit hubs in the Southland.

The ad targets Leisure Travelers, Getaway Couples and Families. We think Big Bear Lake has a bright future as a Leisure Travel Destination. If your business can participate in this off-the-hill marketing project, there are a few spaces still available for as little as $110.00 for the year! Contact Tim Breunig by 4/15/09 at 909-878-3556.

Check out the magazine at the visitinlandempire link in the nav bar.

Will Caltrans Bridge Project Further Dampen Local Business?

Construction will begin in the next few days at the primary entrance to the Big Bear Valley. The Project is the new Bridge over Bear Creek that will replace the nearly 100 year old bridge that sits atop the dam. The project will not be completed until 2011. Caltrans has repeatedly reassured the business community in Big Bear Lake that next to safety, keeping the road open for valley visitors is top priority, while in the same breath tells us to expect significant traffic delays. Anybody that knows construction understands what is really being said.

The only way the road will be kept open to accommodate our visitors and the survival of local merchants is if it (keeping the road open) becomes the primary priority of Caltrans and the contractor, FCI. Be assured friends, it is not. In addition to a zero tolerance for traffic delays at the construction site, Caltrans needs to acknowledge the sensitive nature of our geographic constraints including the effect of road closures on local businesses, and successfully mitigate negative impact of delays and disruptions by overcoming them with effective counter measures, with the same zeal they are mandated to deal with safety issues. I am suggesting that some of the bridge budget be spent on advertising alternate routes to our community and offsetting the reporting of road closures and delays that will be inevitably aired ( for the next 2 years) on LA TV news broadcasts.

The 2 year bridge project could be the third wave of the perfect storm for small business in the valley. The first being our having little or no place in the Southern California Marketplace other than as a recreation destination. We do no marketing to attract regional shopping/dining customers, nor do we have any plans to develop new and attractive retail space with the amenities that modern customers have come to expect in regional shopping and dining. Contrasting recent record years in ticket sales and profits for the Ski Resorts, city-wide retail sales are off nearly 25% since a high water mark in 2006. This trend has been at work for 2 years before the current economic downturn.

The second wave is the current economic downturn. This will raise the stakes even higher in the competition for regional retail spending (visitors) that all valley merchants depend on in some way, to keep the doors open. Part 2 of the second wave is just on the horizon. A 1% increase in the State sales tax. This will likely add to folks keeping the brakes on when it comes to spending on the things our Valley merchants sell to make a living.

I've asked the City Council to step up and lead our business community, and in collaboration, quickly develop a new and aggressive marketing plan. The plan would include initially spending Improvement Agency and General Funds to kick start a new branding effort and to address development needs of core retail areas. Implementation of the plan would be an effort to curtail further decline in Valley retail sales and fight, in earnest, for our share of regional retail spending. In addition, the City needs to lead in the battle to keep our roads open as if our local economy's survival is at stake. I believe it is.

If we don't act now, it will be just too late for a certain number of businesses we need in place to successfully support a meaningful and diverse offering to visitors. If we don't act at all, it won't be because we didn't see it coming or didn't know what to do. Keeping our roads open for visitors is just one thing that can and must be accomplished, but by itself, will not prevent the continued current decline of Valley retail. Valley retail merchants, restaurants and lodging must seek it's own identify and seek improvements to the marketplace and growth for the sector for a chance to succeed today and in the future.

More Affordable Housing on Pine Knot Ave.

A proposed 32 unit affordable housing complex on Pine Knot is marching forward. This development would take up prime (and very limited) land that would be better used for resort oriented development. This would make 2 affordable developments on upper Pine Knot and 1 proposed on Knickerbocker at Pennsylvania.

Upscale hotels, hi-quality restaurants and mixed use retail/office/residential development is what will allow us to compete in the regional retail marketplace for lost retail revenues and create good pay jobs for locals. This will take vision, and an updating of the development code and Village Specific Plan. Also needed is a change in policy and planning (or lack of planning) standards and an end to short sighted profiteering and the continuation of over-building our glutted residential sector. Only 30% of City Residential Dwellings are occupied full time. Nearly 80% of all DWP bills are sent out as ZERO water use. The cost of maintaining our utility infrastructure is unfairly divided among the 30% of occupied dwellings.

The City's Mayor Pro Tem, is the developer and operator of the existing affordable rental complex on Pine Knot Ave. He and his fellow council members, apparently want to concentrate the City's proposed affordable housing to constrict growth of City's Retail shopping district using our property tax dollars to subsidize the higher vacant land prices in and near the Village to create profit for low income real estate developers who don't give a hoot about our community. All in the name of meeting State mandated use of Improvement Agency funds set aside for this type of project. Only current City Council members sit on the Improvement Agency Board and alone, decide where city property tax dollars allocated to our Improvement Agency will be spent.

On March 9, 2009 the City Council voted to go forward with letters of support for the project and seek not only City Improvement Agency funds, but also other County funds for the Pacific Companies, an Out of State developer. Mayor Pro Tem Jahn may be no stranger to the Pacific Companies, as Pacific Company's home base is Idaho, with one Pacific development just down the road from Jahn's (Tetonia, Idaho) subdivision ( http://packsaddleproperties.com/). Jahn is the managing partner for packsaddle, along with Brent Tragaskis, who works for Big Bear Mountain Resorts and Big Bear Lake Planning Commissioner Craig Smith, who's wife is in charge of Big Bear Lake City Finances.

The concentration of this type of use (medium density affordable housing) will forever define and only further diminish the Village and Big Bear Lake of the ability to grow and prosper and create long term opportunity for small businesses, good pay jobs for locals and increase our standing in the regional resort field.

Big Bear Lake Improvment Agency to get Involved

At the March 9, 2009 City Council meeting, the Big Bear Lake City Council and Improvement Agency, directed staff, including Redevelopment Director for the City, Lyle Haynes, to move forward with projects to update and enhance sidewalk lighting in the Village and create lighted pedestrian paths connecting Bartlett Parking Lot to Pine Knot Ave. The Pedestrian paths will require cooperation from Village Private Property Owners to become reality.

There still is no plan to address waining demographics of Valley visitors, or for a new and different marketing strategy to curtail the 3 year decline in overall retail sales with current sales off some 40% on the year, said Charlie Brewster, President of the Village Business Association, an affiliate of the Big Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Catherine Sandstrom on the Improvement Agency Meeting:http://kbhr933.com/road-news/city-staff-village-business-association-partner-plans-revive-big-bear-lakes-village-area/

Chrome Stop Closes Big Bear Blvd. Store

The Chrome Stop has closed up shop and vacated the retail space at 41449 Big Bear Blvd. The exclusive motorcycle accessory store had been in the highly visible location for almost 2 years and gave every effort possible in serving local and visiting motorcycle enthusiasts but the numbers just did not match up.

This adds another 2000 sq ft to the commercial space available report we will up date this month.

Big Bear Blossoms Shutters Moonridge Location

Retail Florist Big Bear Blossoms has closed their doors at the 42670 Moonridge Rd. storefront location. No word on if they are operating out of another. They had just opened up shop in 2008.
Add this commercial space (900 sq ft gambrel) to available column for the the City of Big Bear Lake.

Obama Stimulus Plan and Small Business

How will the Democrats' Economic Stimulus Plan and the largest spending bill in US history affect your small business?

Jan Norman on the Obama Stimulus Bill of 2009.
http://jan.freedomblogging.com/2009/02/18/stimulus-act-gives-modest-help-to-small-business-loans/9407/

Anything But Ordinary Calls it Quits

The local crafts store has seen economic ups and downs in the many years it served the Big Bear Valley, but as of this writing, has closed it's doors and vacated the 8000 sq ft space next door to the Calvary Chapel in the Village.

Questions regarding the commercial retail space at 735 Stocker, can be directed to Rick Ellison 949-930-9281.

This vacancy will add significantly to the available inventory in the city and more than likely, continue to put downward pressure on rents.

Council Endorses County Rail to Mountain Project

On Jan 26, 2009 the Big Bear Lake City Council passed a resolution endorsing the "Big Bear Enhanced Ground Access Feasibility Study" The Study was prepared for the City of Big Bear Lake and SANBAG. The Report is dated 1996. The report well defines a need for more ground capacity and increased safety for travelers as well as future increased demand, with a growing tourism based economy at the end of the line, (Big Bear Valley) as needs that require addressing.

Several proposed solutions are mentioned in the report. I'm sure most of data (dated) is meaningless by this time. The additional two new lanes northbound only proposal seems to lack input from somebody who would be actually visiting the Valley and also have to return. The light rail solutions are interesting.

There was no public discussion regarding the plan, the endorsement or the reality experienced during the 12 years since the need for future ground transportation planning was identified.

At any rate, thank you somebody, for locating and dusting off this bit of old business. Good luck with keeping it on top of the pile.

On the Mountain Magazine Shuts Down

After 12 years, with advertisers no longer spending, the local visitor magazine's last issue is in news racks today. "Without advertisers, I just can't keep the doors open any longer" says Nancy Lucas, publisher.

She felt things tightening up all last year but the attrition in the last quarter of 2008 sealed the fate of the popular newsprint periodical.

Nancy is already pursuing other opportunities doing what she loves to do. We wish her the best.

Forest Farms Market Closes Doors

The Local Produce Market and Deli is clearing out the last of the merchandise and plans to vacated by 2/1/09. The sign on the door notes the continuing economic weakening as the primary reason for the decision. In talking with the owner, a new location (smaller) for the market, and a new business model may be in the future, but there is nothing specific on her radar.

City to Hire Retail Consultants

At the January 12, 2009 City Council Meeting, Council will be asked to approve the hiring of a new Retail Consultant. Nearly $12,000.00 will be committed to Assess and Define our local Retail marketplace in order to recruit new retail businesses to the city. The focus of The Fransen Company's work will be to attract new retailers to fill vacant space at the Von's Plaza and to fill "approved but not yet built" commercial space.

I will assume that this would be different information than was received from the 'Buxton Report', which was not released to the public when originally due in August, 08, nor in it's 'revised form' which was due to be released by the city prior to the end of 2008.

The many business closures throughout the valley in 2008 and the new commercial space completed in 07/08 have created a huge amount of vacant commercial space that seems to be the issue for the Redevelopment Agency.

The concern, should be, or at least of equal importance, how successfully our local retail marketplace competes for regional customers and the wicked fluctuation in tourism traffic during weekday and slack months. Changing our shrinking gross retail sales should be the short term goals for the City, well ahead of any plan for expansion.

Simply finding new businesses to fill vacant space will not change gross productivity but may exacerbate the problematic situation local merchants find themselves in today.