Christine Davis, executive director of the Carlsbad Village Association, told the City Council she returned from the California Main Street conference with ideas for downtown programming and said the association is “small but very mighty.” She said Carlsbad Village Association is under consideration to host the California Main Street Conference in 2026 and that she will coordinate with Visit Carlsbad and city staff as planning proceeds.

Davis described recent downtown turnover as a near-immediate replacement pattern where “one business closes their doors and another one comes right in.” She cited examples: Kaya Fit (a women-only gym) is closing and will be replaced by a furniture shop on Roosevelt Street; Belong Fitness opened in a space that had been vacant for almost two years; and local restaurateur Catalina, owner of El Puerto Mexican Food, acquired a breakfast-and-burger business to keep it in local hands.

Davis previewed two near-term community events: Taste of Carlsbad Village, which she called their best year and an activation that brings overnight stays, and “Halloween in the Village,” scheduled for Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. She said 65 businesses signed up as candy stops on an interactive mobile walking map, 37 are CVA members (the association bought starter candy for them), and two sites will offer sensory-friendly or non-candy stops.

Brett Schonzenbach, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber is collaborating with the city on small-business workshops and that commercial brokers have raised the idea of revisiting medical-office zoning to address surplus office space. He confirmed the Carlsbad Village Street Fair will be on Nov. 2 and said the fair’s community stage and performing groups help attract visitors and support nearby businesses.

Both presenters framed their remarks as updates; no formal council action was requested.