PACIFIC GROVE, Calif.- One area of Pacific Grove is not happy about being in the dark. Some local businesses said they wanted their own beautiful white Christmas lights on Lighthouse Avenue to help them attract customers. They said without them it's "lights out" for their economic boost during the holidays. But that's about to change. The City of Pacific Grove is giving those businesses currently in the dark the green light to brighten up their block.
Empty spaces and empty sidewalks, that's what we found on the north side of Lighthouse Avenue. Tuesday night we counted about ten customers in the open businesses on the dark end. But on the twinkly, lit up portion we lost count. There's a noticeable difference in foot traffic between the two sides. That's why the Pacific Grove Downtown Business Improvement District asked the city for help about a week ago.
"This downtown area here just because of some lack of facilities in order to just tap into existing electrical hasn't been able to be taking advantage of that," said chairman Tom McMahon.
McMahon said eventually the city plans to add lights to a huge eucalyptus tree at the corner of 13th and Lighthouse, making it a grand entrance of sorts. Since that won't happen right away, the city came up with a short term solution. Now businesses with a city tree out in front will be able to add lights to it, inviting people further down the street, as long as the electrical cords are at least 8 ft. above the sidewalk. But businesses will have to foot the bill for those lights and some said they want the city to do more.
"I mean that's great for now. But I want to have those trees planted so that the whole Lighthouse looks the same," said Pacific Grove Antiques owner Marilyn Buck.
"Parking would be also good, that way it give people as sense that downtown ends on this side of town," said head chef at Petra restaurant, Samer Nimri.
Businesses already enjoying the benefits of a busy sidewalk, said they agree.
"A blink of an eye if you don't have everything lit up, people are going to miss your business. So the more lights the more they're going to recognize your business," said Mary Aliotti, the manager at Victorian Corner Restaurant.
The city also plans to allow businesses on the other side of Lighthouse near Red House Café and along Forest Avenue to add the same white lights to city trees. As far as adding more trees or parking, the city said it may be considered down the line. But its just not in the budget to do it right now.
