Early holiday season may help boost economy in downtown Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA- Calif. - With 80 degree days, the holiday shopping season may be warming up faster this year, and it is especially needed in downtown Santa Barbara where the economy has been a concern.

After months of reconstruction, there's a pause at Santa Barbara's downtown Paseo Nuevo mall where plywood walkways have been pulled up and more room is available.

" Oh look they have the tree up," said shopper Martha Cisneros on a recent trip down State Street to the mall entrance. Work crews are building up the center court area with decorations and holiday lighting. Other areas of the mall have added color and the seasonal twinkle.

This will be a frequent stop for shoppers with plans for a fresh holiday look and starting November 29th nightly snowfall shows. There will be carolers and many photo opportunities to remember the season.

" Oh they are going to have snow? I will come down here I will bring my son as well," said shopper Abbigail Hill.

Decorations going up all over downtown.

Jaime Espinosa a downtown worker for many years said, "Every year with out a doubt it is going to look great down here,  come check it out."

The State street crews are hauling carts of decorations and winding lights around about ten blocks of trees to add some sparkle to what's been a retail zone in need of a brighter outlook.

Some stores are already luring in the buyers.   " Oh H and M actually has really has good prices so we picked up a couple of things.   So that it doesn't build up at the end and we're buying everything full price," said Katie Cicneros from Santa Maria on her visit to Santa Barbara.

Early shopping might also be a stress reliever.

"I try to ease into it. Hopefully by the end of the day I don't buy a bunch of gift cards," said  Espinosa .

Is this too early for all of the decorations and Christmas ornaments? It may feel that way because Thanksgiving is coming a little bit later this year.

"No doubt this was just the calm before the storm. Fiestas was not too long ago we have to kind of have that nice down time.  I have no doubt people will fill up these streets this Christmas," said downtown worker Farrah Cong.

Nearby Karen Tyrrell said,  "no it is not too early because I am all about gratitude and being thankful. I like the lights."

The Paseo Nuevo mall last week released a holiday lineup of stores and activities. It is expected to be a hub of holiday happenings. More information can be found at: https://paseonuevoshopping.com/