Vacaville downtown business owners urge city to stop frequent Main Street closures

Several downtown business owners and property managers told the Vacaville City Council on Aug. 26 that repeated and poorly coordinated street closures are hurting sales and foot traffic.

Luis de Bartolo, a downtown restaurateur, said the recent full closures of Main Street forced several restaurants to close for the day and left customers without parking. "The closure of all of Main Street is just beyond comprehension on what it does to ... restaurants," he said, urging the city to move food trucks and vendors to Andrews Park or East Main.

Karen, owner of Stems Florist, told the council she closed early during the most recent closure because vendors occupied her storefront parking. "We struggle as it is, and to have Main Street closed and the parking in front of my store pretty much are the vendors, so people don't come in," she said.

Wendy Jackson, owner of Jackson Medical Supply, said she closed the previous Saturday because the street fair produced very little business. Jackson told the council she supports annual events such as the Christmas "Merry Men on Main" celebration and a half‑day Halloween closing for safety, but asked whether any studies show that Saturday closures benefit downtown merchants. She suggested concentrating vendors at Andrews Park and East Main instead.

Sandra Over, owner of the Backwell Opera House and property manager for Town Square, said three tenant restaurants reported much lower sales during recent downtown street closures and asked for a city or BID process that allows downtown merchants to weigh in on vendor placement and timing.

Speakers also raised a process complaint: several merchants said they received short or last‑minute notice about closures. "Our notification was, like, the last minute," Over said; another merchant said earlier notice this most recent time was only about a week.

Council and staff responses: City staff told the council a previously scheduled study session about the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) was postponed at the BID's request, and staff said they are meeting regularly with BID, the chamber of commerce and Visit Vacaville. Staff said a contract amendment for BID is scheduled for the Sept. 9 council meeting and that the city expects to present consultant options and potential property‑owner surveys at a Sept. 23 meeting.

Council members said they heard merchants' concerns and emphasized coordination as the next step. Vice Mayor Chapman said the city will return with more information and that staff has heard the comments.

Ending

Councilmembers did not vote on any new policy at the meeting; staff and the BID will continue discussions and return to council with options and dates for a downtown study and possible BID contract amendments.