It didn't set records for most, but Fourth of July business in the northern Wood River Valley may have helped launch a promising summer retail season.
The Fourth of July weekend is considered to be the end of slack and the kick-off of peak tourism season in Sun Valley. According to the Sun Valley-Ketchum Chamber & Visitors Bureau, 60 percent of 27 retailers polled reported better sales than last year over the holiday.
In all, 16 retailers said business was up; five said it was about the same; and six said it was down.
"Some of these are very informal, but they can give us a good idea of what's happening," said Ellen Gillespie, chamber public relations coordinator. "It's a little sampling" that included grocery, sports, jewelry, book, art, apparel, hardware and toy stores, all in Ketchum.
Of a handful of local businesses polled by the Idaho Mountain Express, most agreed that business was strong, but not record-setting, and followed on the heels of a spring season that was rather abysmal.
"We're definitely experiencing what I'd describe as retail and restaurant woes in Ketchum," said Rob Santa, owner of Sturtevants Mountain Outfitters and Sturtos, with locations in Ketchum, Warm Springs and Hailey. "This spring was relatively slower than usual, without an apparent explanation."
David Campbell, owner of Sunburst Guitar Gallery in Ketchum, said his holiday business was "consistent with last year" but also said spring was slower than usual.
"I did OK, but I had to get creative to do it," he said. He established a presence on e-Bay and attended a guitar show in Seattle to make sure his head stayed above water.
What's more, he said 80 percent of his business this month was from out-of-town customers. More efforts by local organizations to drum up local business, to show local residents that not everything is more affordable in Twin Falls, could go a long way.
But there may have been a few new dynamics at work over this year's Fourth of July holiday weekend in the north valley. A new restroom facility and park at the corner of East Avenue and Fourth Street could have played a role.
Retailers expressed mixed views about the new park, Gillespie said. Some said it attracted foot traffic that circulated throughout the downtown. Others in the downtown core, however, lamented the loss of parking.
For his part, Santa said he's skeptical about the theory that skyrocketing national fuel prices may be keeping people away.
"I don't see people downsizing their vehicles," he said. "Even though I realize not everybody in the Wood River Valley is affluent. Let's put it this way: A latte costs more than a gallon of gas, and the coffee shops don't appear to be empty."
