HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/7/2023 Item 6a, Picking Daisies
Picking Daisies <
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:Stewart, Erica A; Marx, Jan; Francis, Emily; Pease, Andy; Shoresman, Michelle
Subject:11/7/2023 Council meeting: 6.a PARKING PROGRAM UPDATE AND AUTHORIZE
ADVERTISEMENT OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR A PARKING RATE STUDY
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Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
We opened our retail shop, Picking Daisies, in downtown San Luis Obispo in 2008. That October, the economy
took a big hit and it was a struggle for us, but our business managed to survive the Great Recession. Then in 2017,
the owners of The Creamery Marketplace, where our business is located, started in on a year-long extensive
remodel which at times made our shop completely inaccessible. It was tough for us, but we managed to keep our
business going throughout it. Then, in 2020, Covid hit and we were forced to close our doors to the public. It was
rough going, but once again we managed to make it through and keep our business alive.
Currently our business is facing another challenge created by the increased parking rates. This challenge is one we
may not survive unless something changes. We are losing customers and our business is down. Customers
complain to us daily that the rates are absurdly high and they will be spending less time in downtown
SLO. Customers rush in for what they need, and rather than spending time browsing and shopping, they rush back
to their cars to minimize the parking cost. Groups of crafters and sewers that used to spend time downtown for
monthly lunches and shopping have told us that now they meet at areas with free parking.
We plead with you, for the sake of our business and for our charming downtown San Luis Obispo, please roll back
these parking rates. If something doesn’t change, we fear that businesses like ours will be forced to close or move
outside of the downtown. Without the local small businesses and restaurants in the downtown, Downtown SLO will
most certainly lose it’s charm.
With Respect,
Kay Porczak and Dede Bruington
Picking Daisies
570 Higuera St. #120
San Luis Obispo CA 93401
pickingdaisiesinslo.com
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