Downtown Yuba City Sees Business Boom Years After Construction Completion
YUBA CITY (CBS13) - A multimillion-dollar construction project that initially put some stores out of business in Yuba City is finally paying off.
Yuba City's economic woes are well-documented but on Plumas Street things are looking up. The turnaround has taken years but customers are flocking to shops, both old and new.
The lunch rush is on at Fotine's Greek Café, where it's been busy since January's grand opening.
"I tell everyone it's kind of like San Francisco. You drive around the block, you go behind the building, and in the alley there's a nice parking space," said owner Fotine Halikaskopriva.
Comparing Yuba City to San Francisco?
Well, parking's at a premium, a far cry from how it used to be.
"For years this was desolation," said resident Mark Davenport. "There was nothing but mud and dirt everywhere."
From desolation to a destination spot, Plumas Street is back in business. But, it took time.
Four years after a $14 million city project to widen sidewalks and add trees was finished, shop owners say people are finally taking notice.
"It's taken a couple years, a few years to get back up on our feet," said Cashalyn Gilliss, Crosspointe Books owner.
The book store barely hung on, after losing half its sales during construction.
They had to get creative with more than marketing. Their front entrance was blocked so they let customers in through the back.
"You do what you have to," said Gilliss. "You have to survive."
Gilliss' patience and perseverance is finally paying off.
"It was a time of suffering but now we have this beautiful street and it draws people downtown," said Gilliss. "It's wonderful, I love it."
Plumas Street survivors and newcomers alike are cashing in.
Welcome signs of economic growth are in a city with unemployment near 18 percent.
It isn't just shoppers giving Plumas Street a second look. One store owner, who was forced to close during construction, has a new shop.
