05 Attachment 1 - Chamber ProposalLOS GATOS
CHAMBER
LIGHT DISPLAY
ATTACHMENT 1
What’s Next Los Gatos?
People are asking this question and eagerly awaiting an answer. Their expectations are high. Not to worry, the Chamber of Commerce has a good idea for you to
consider. We still have some economic recovery to do and unfortunately the future is unclear. Collectively we have to figure out our next step, which will help
the rather dire situation for our businesses and our spirits.
Most Los Gatos residents who have ventured out would agree that the pop-up patio experiment is a success. Outdoor dining in Los Gatos is one of the few silver
linings of this Covid pandemic. While not perfect, they provide a happy outlet for many. People are able to pick and choose which space makes them feel the
most safe and comfortable. Our restaurants and our small businesses are so appreciative for this lifeline which gives them a fighting chance to survive. For the
first time in years, folks from other towns were calling and asking us how we made it happen! Three cheers to our Council for having the courage to set aside
some money specifically to be used for Covid Economic Recovery Projects and for taking a risk and moving swiftly.
The weather will be changing soon though and the pop-up patios will not quite have the same allure. Hopefully, our County Health Department will allow for
some indoor dining by October. Perhaps there will be a vaccine come the New Year, but in the meantime we have to ask ourselves –How can we safely draw
people into Town to dine, drink, walk and shop? We need to target and market to those people who are active and looking for an “experience” and who have
money to spend.
When you put that money aside for Economic Recovery, one of the conditions was that you understood that you would need to pivot.It is time to do just that.
LIGHTS -of course! Los Gatos Lights up. Los Gatos in Lights --something like we could use as the headline.
We propose a simple plan –one that we have been working on for the several months and one that we have discussed with many of our town’s residents and
business owners young and old alike. We propose the Town approve funding for 6-8 light installations creatively placed around town. Most would be in the
downtown core, but we will add a few complimenting pieces on the North side of Highway 9 and another on the Boulevard.
These lights need to be spectacular though, which is why they are expensive. They need to be unique. We propose that we install them in the beginning of
November and we let them shine through late January. As the Chamber’s Creative Director, Dustin David, says “in this Covid darkness and with winter on its
way, let there be some fun and some light!” He is not wrong.
The best part of this proposal is that these light installations will draw people to our Town, but they won’t all come at the same time. Once they arrive, they can
park, put on their mask, walk around, take photos while physical distancing, shop, have a drink and dine.
Coupled with our Annual Carriage Rides, our town will be more vibrant than ever. All signs are a go for our carriage rides, though County health protocols will be
in place. There will not be as many, but they will be brightly lit; beacons of light, bringing joy and a smile to all who see or ride in them. It will be nice to keep one
of our traditions alive.
We have met with many of our small business owners. All of them are intrigued with the light installations and are willing to extend their hours allowing for late
night shopping on Thursday-Saturday nights. Our restaurant owners plan to promote the Los Gatos lights as well, and will encourage their patrons to come early
or stay late to walk around, shop and enjoy the ambiance. We have also reached out to Federal Realty and are hopeful that they too will join in the doing some
light installations of their own in Old Town and in King’s Court to compliment what we are doing.
We think it could work! The company with whom we are working, Artistic Holiday Designs, came highly recommended and we believe their prices are fair. We
propose buying the items. That way, we own them and can use them for the next 3-5 years. We can build upon the idea each year.
We have met with Matt Morley and while he knows it is quite an undertaking, he thinks his staff would be up to the challenge.In the budget proposal, please
note that Artistic Holiday Designs has provided us with two options when it comes to technical assistance.
We Got This Los Gatos! This is the best idea we have and while we cannot say for sure how many people will come to Town or how much money we will raise in
sales tax revenues, we do know that this proposal offers that pivot and that excitement even though it is a calculated risk.
See you next Tuesday. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Sincerely, The Chamber Staff
Map of
programmed
areas:
1.Civic Center
2.Main Street Bridge
3.Town Plaza
4.AutomobuildAlley
5.Terra Patio
6.Grays Lane
7.Planter at west corner of
Bachman/ N. Santa Cruz (Harrell’s)
8.Planter at east corner of
Bachman/N. Santa Cruz (Trent
Pottery)
1. Civic Center
2. Town Plaza
3. Automobuild Alley
5. Terra Patio Alley
6. Grays Lane
7 & 8 & some planter boxes
Solar Outdoor Lights
Lester Square
Los Gatos Shopping Center
Carriage Rides
Brilliantly decorated in lights
Next year…
Budget