Downtown sales are rising

Rima Shah

An influx of new businesses in Downtown Burbank helped sales in the

area grow by 8% last year, another sign of the area’s healthy growth,

city officials said.

Exact sales figures for 2004 are not available, said Robin Faulk,

marketing manager for Downtown Burbank.

Downtown Burbank’s Village District grew by 9% during the same

period, Faulk said. The Village District is surrounded by Magnolia

Boulevard, Third Street, Angeleno Avenue and the Golden State (5)

Freeway.

Some of the businesses contributing to the increase include

Chipotle’s Mexican Grill, PF Chang restaurant, Urban Outfitters and

Pomodoro Cucina Italiana, with Urban Outfitters and AMC Theatres

being the two main draws, Faulk said.

Last week, Downtown Burbank celebrated the ribbon-cutting of five

new stores on the 300 Block of San Fernando Boulevard. The stores are

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory; O’ My Sole; Active, a skateboarding

store; Quiznos; and Chadaka Thai, a Thai food restaurant.

The growth in Downtown Burbank signifies its vitality, Faulk said.

“It’s a vote of confidence in the area,” Faulk said. “People are

coming here to spend money, to shop or just to hang out.”

Skyblupink, a specialty boutique located on San Fernando

Boulevard, also saw an increase in sales in 2004, owner Paul Ehre

said. He did not have exact sales figures but attributed the growth

to the changing face of Downtown Burbank.

“There’s a lot more exciting stores and restaurants here,” Ehre

said. “It’s a very happening area in L.A.”

IKEA also had an increase in sales at its Burbank location, said

Yumiko Whitaker, spokeswoman for the Burbank store. The synergy

between the stores and Downtown, with everybody feeding customers to

each other, is an important part of the growth, Whitaker said.

“I think they’ve also made commercial improvements, which appeal

to a broader section of people,” Whitaker said.

Another aspect of Downtown Burbank’s success lies in its events,

which bring people Downtown, Faulk said.

One of the popular events is the Taste of Burbank in September,

which features offerings from various Downtown restaurants. Other

events include summer concerts and the “12 Days of Holiday Cheer” in

December, which has Christmas events such as the tree lighting.

These events help to showcase Downtown Burbank and bring in more

shoppers and diners to the area.

“Downtown Burbank is a safe, clean choice,” Faulk said. “People

can go to events, sit in a cafe and people-watch. It’s something to

be proud of.”

Downtown Burbank holds has a number of events spread throughout

the year to attract more people, Faulk said. Events include the Taste

of Burbank, where people can taste offerings from the various

Downtown restaurants, Faulk said.

“I think they’ve also made commercial improvements which appeal to

a broader section of people,” Whitaker said.