Downtown is dying

Maine Street used to be the main part of Fallon. It could be again if people tried. Businesses all want to move towards the Reno Hwy. The owners of the buildings downtown need to come down on their rent. Times are hard and I'm sure it's better to get some rent then no rent at all. Too many businesses are dying.

In truth, the city fathers really don't care. No matter what happens to this businesses here, they will always be the bosses in charge - even if it's in charge of a ghost town.

Indeed. I understand the economy is bad, but I agree, prices need to come down a little if businesses are going to have a chance. I was told (and this has not been confirmed, so take it with a grain of salt) that to rent space at the old Wal-Mart building its $3/sq ft. Apparently that's very high. The people who own that building don't appear to be hurting for money since two of them own a business themselves and the other works for the city. Why such a high price on a building that has so much potential?

I don't know about space rentals, but I would like to speak up on behalf of the Mayor and the City. They went after grants to fix up Maine Street, all the way from West Williams to Front Street. They put in the old time street lamps, made the sidewalks ADA compliant, put in drought & disease resistant trees, and decorative night lighting. As for the makeover for some of the business fronts, I don't know if they helped defray some of those costs or not, but this was multi-million dollar and I believe 5 phase project. We have a beautiful park where a gas station used to be, and Maine Street looks so pretty, especially at night, all the way down to Front Street now. It is very well lighted and makes it safe to walk at night. However, like I said, I don't why space rentals are so high, expect to help defray costs and overhead. I am not a business owner, so these are just guesses on my part.

That's a good point, bmathews; I'd forgotten about that. Maine Street does not look very nice now and in the warm weather, it's pleasant to take a stroll. I don't even remember what Maine Street USED to look like...

Wow, what spelling errors I had, plus some grammar faux pas!
I'm tired, and old. Got my "farming" chores done, and going to bed now.

I have no idea why on earth we have moved the local farmers market to the fairgrounds,If anyone has the official income comparison between before the downtown market and last years market at the fairgrounds i would like to see it,i bet the city loses tens of thousands of dollars!we need 2 farmers markets one in the county and one in the city,and compare profits,and that includes all profits by the city.Just throwing some stuff out there.Thx.

Well, I think its possibly because with the vendors/booths set up on the sidewalks, it blocked entrances to many storefronts. I'm not positive, but I know that's been an issue in the past.

The Downtown Merchant's Assoc has started up a Saturday morning Farmer's Market on Maine Street, and I believe they were planning on setting things up so the storefronts weren't blocked.

Advertise Sand mountain in california?you know what they say,Out of site,out of mind.

Admin wrote:Well, I think its possibly because with the vendors/booths set up on the sidewalks, it blocked entrances to many storefronts. I'm not positive, but I know that's been an issue in the past.

The Downtown Merchant's Assoc has started up a Saturday morning Farmer's Market on Maine Street, and I believe they were planning on setting things up so the storefronts weren't blocked.

Oh ok,Hey thx,That would be great if they did do a saturday morning thing.

To me there is something missing from downtown which fails to draw me. I realize the city has spent a lot for improvements, but there seems to not be as much interest in the merchants to match that improvement in their storefronts and displays. A good example is the theater - the marquee looks to me more old dilapidated than "old interesting" or "old historical". Just my own poor thoughts and feelings, sorry.

Dusty Boots: Do you mean they should advertise in California about Sand Mountain?

Uncle Bill: I agree that the theatre doesn't look as renovated and inviting as it COULD. There's a separate forum topic regarding the theatre; it's been discussed before that it should be cleaned or renovated.

Me as a kid thinks we need to do something about the kids who hang out on maine street! The kids are destuctive and dont care bout anything!!! Plus who would want to walk past a whole bunch of people who smoke to go to a resturaunt!!!! I think it is sick and disturbing to know that kids my age (14) would do that!!!! They need to find a new place to hang out!!!!!!!

As a person who works on Maine street i will state the the buisnesess are doing everything we can to control the crowds that build on south maine, the police (AKA Chris Paludan) passed an anti-loitering law that essentially makes loitering a crime, which is a great solution. however they refuse to enforce it. the kids that hangoutside of my store are not customers, but bored teenagers. i clear the sidewalk every few minutes. i was threatened with a ticket for not clearing the sidewalk a block from my buisenes, essentially the police are threatening me for not doing there job for them. this needs to be adressed, blame for these crowds are being falsly crowned, and the laws are not being enforced.

I was reading some posts on the new web site you sent to me. It stated that Fallon needs help in tourism and something about Main Street losing business.
I havent been in Fallon for almost 17 years now. I now live in a small town in Iowa. Twice a year, the small business owners of Main Street and the surrounding businesses get together to have a day called "Taste of Nevada" pronounced, Neh vay duh. My small town. I dont know if Fallon has a, "Taste of Fallon" but it would be nice to see it. It helps boost business, community gathers for a bite to eat, and meet new people. The businesses should all get together to decide to charge a small fee or do it for free. We here in the small town of Nevada, IA have it for free. Just a suggestion for my home town to thrive.

Great idea, Decena...I like it!! What do other people think of that?

There was an event about 3 years ago put on by the Chamber called "A Taste of Fallon". They did it three or fours years and stopped because no one came. I would imagine vendors wouldn't come because they didn't make any money. I think it was at Venuracci Park a couple of times then Oats Park. As for Maine Street - business owners need to police each other an put pressure on each other to clean their stores up.

Although the farmers market may have blocked entrances to buildings, there were usually more people (i.e. customers) out on a tuesday day when I was there before than you would ever see on main street any other day.

I will say I do appreciate the efforts of the city to improve the looks of Maine St. and I think they have done a great job, but there are some of the actual buildings that could really use help, Nugget (looks the same as it did when it opened - time for a new and improved Nugget) not to mention that there are very few businesses that are an actual draw to me personally. So I guess it doesn't matter how good it looks if there is no interest in any the stores. I really try to support local businesses, but I just usually can't find what I am looking for here. Sorry!

Hmm. Does anyone have any ideas on sprucing up the kinds of shops Maine Street offers?

Please keep in mind that when exit 32 is completed, tourism and added income will be lost. That exit will take an hour off the drive time to Las Vegas, bypassing Fallon completely. Fernley will also be an added drive for "truckers".

Just a thought....