City Mulls Outlets for Del Mar Area

To encourage residents to shop locally, the city will focus this year on sprucing up the Del Mar shopping area, including the possibility of bringing in factory outlets.

“The city is putting out feelers,” said David Lund, San Clemente’s economic development director, and is trying to set up meetings with representatives from various national factory outlets.

San Clemente is losing 55% to 65% of its potential sales tax revenue, Lund said, because many local consumers shop elsewhere. One of the city’s goals, he said, is to enhance the downtown area to attract customers and encourage retail development.

With help from the Downtown Business Assn. and the Chamber of Commerce, city leaders are trying to develop a specific plan.

Along with hiring a consultant to help woo factory outlets, the plan includes the installation of hanging flower baskets from lampposts along Avenida del Mar, the city’s main shopping street, and new signs welcoming shoppers and pointing the way to the San Clemente Pier.