Mayor’s Corner

Downtown Atascadero Upward Trajectory

by HEATHER MORENO, MAYOR OF ATASCADERO

I’m proud to say that while the economy-busting COVID-19 pandemic put a temporary pause on our progress, it couldn’t stop us. From added commercial development and customer-serving business to new public infrastructure and events, Atascadero is already moving forward again, stronger than ever.

City Council and Staff continue to work hard to set policies and implement improvements that enhance economic development and stimulate economic growth, and we’ve seen the results of those efforts citywide, particularly in the downtown. Our primary objectives include providing increased public safety and enhancing economic vitality, together with the ability to host more special events in the downtown. One recent event was the three-day Atascadero Fall Festival held in November that attracted an estimated 15,000 residents and visitors to the downtown area. It was received with such enthusiasm that we plan to bring it back next year.

The upward trajectory of downtown Atascadero is due largely to City investment combined with strong interest from private developers and local business owners. The new Italian Renaissance style, three-story La Plaza mixed-use project, now nearing completion and located in the heart of our downtown, is just one prime example. New restaurants, cafes, and breweries, in conjunction with a growing number of special events, offer more dining and entertainment options for residents and bring more visitors to Atascadero. In addition to 42 units of additional housing, La Plaza will provide a great mix of retail and restaurant spaces that will soon be home to wonderful new businesses, including Cielo, an upscale rooftop Italian restaurant and bar, along with LOL Yogurt, LouLou Cheese Shop, and a local barbershop. These are just the first of La Plaza’s tenants to open shortly, with others in the pipeline.

Synergistically located adjacent to La Plaza is a beautiful, new pergola-covered and tree-lined outdoor public space that is expected to serve a variety of functions. In addition to providing another downtown open-air event space, this area greatly enhances a corridor

Photo by Rick Evans

that has long-served as pedestrian access to and from that area for many local students and residents.

Downtown Atascadero is brimming with lots of new and soon-tobe-open small businesses, such as La Michoacana, a new Mexican Ice Cream shop that many can’t wait to try. Fun new businesses also opened in the Block Shops, located next door to Colony Market & Deli, including Negranti Creamery, Stellar + S.U.N. Hat Company, and Ancient Owl Beer & Bottle Shoppe. Other recent additions include the Bramble Pie Company, MEA Winery & Tasting Room, Poisoned Apple Cider & Craft Tavern, Colony Mash Brewing, and so many more.

By the time this article is published, we’ll have wrapped up our always fun and exciting holiday events. But we’re already looking forward to an even more exhilarating 2022, which we’ll kick off with our Annual Atascadero Tamale Festival on Saturday, January 15. This event is always great fun for everyone and is a terrific opportunity to stock up on lots of tasty varieties of traditional, as well as non-traditional, tamales. (The dark chocolate tamale is one of my favorites!)

I am confident the New Year will bring wonderful new opportunities, continued growth, and renewed prosperity to Atascadero’s unique and vibrant downtown, and I invite everyone to come check us out.

I hope to see you soon in Atascadero! 