Merchants hope aquarium increases sales

Long Beach businesses expect a boost in revenue because of the newest tourist attraction

By Lori Gailey, On-line Forty-Niner

June 25,1998

The opening of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is expected to have a positive effect on local businesses and merchant groups in the downtown waterfront area, according to Shoreline Village assistant manager Kim Johnson.

Shoreline Village, a cluster of quaint shops and restaurants located across Queensway Bay

"We expect foot traffic revenue to only increase as more people

are drawn to the area,"

 

- Kim Johnson

Assistant Manager

from the aquarium, is in the position to experience a dramatic increase in business because it is clearly visible from the aquarium grounds.

"We expect foot traffic and [therefore] revenue to only increase as more people are drawn to the area," Johnson said.

The Village Hat Shop, located at Shoreline Village, increased the size of its bayside sign to attract visitors.

"We estimate that the aquarium will bring close to two million people into the area each year," store manager Bruce Zales said.

Co-owners Shelley Cady and Roberta Bayhoffer of Tapestry and Company, a women's clothing shop, also anticipate an increase in business.

Visitors to the aquarium will help reduce the seasonal fluctuations of the waterfront business area, Cady said.

The Hyatt Regency of Long Beach, located on Shoreline Drive, expects to see an increase in occupancy rates due to the influx of weekend tourists, director of sales and marketing Bob Wentworth said.

"While we experience a stable weekday occupancy rate due to the Convention Center and corporate guests, weekend occupancy rates have been weak," Wentworth said.

"We expect that to change as the aquarium becomes a popular destination for weekend travelers," he said.

The partnership of Catalina Express, a provider of transportation to Catalina Island, and Long Beach Transit will shuttle passengers aboard 40-foot open-air taxi boats between Queens-way Bay attractions.

The boats, displaying the Long Beach Transit Passport logo, will serve five bay sites including the aquar-ium, the Queen Mary, the Catalina Express Port, Rainbow Harbor and Shoreline Village.

The Aquarium opened June 20, to a crowd of 12,000.