Real Estate Update: Weekends in Fallbrook

It’s been a hot couple of months! The weather’s been hot! The real estate market’s been hot! Downtown Fallbrook is hot! So where have you been?

It’s been seven months since we were all told to shelter in place and wear a mask. Some businesses have been allowed to reopen in a limited way, while others remain shuttered or unable to afford to open, given the protocols required to open. They simply can’t afford to open up with the current restrictions.

Thanks to Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce CEO Lila MacDonald, the primary shopping area on Main Avenue is closed from Friday at 3 p.m. until Saturday at 11 p.m.

This type of closure is happening across the U.S. Some cities like Philadelphia, Denver and Oakland have indefinitely closed major streets to vehicles in an effort to create zones that allow people to safely bike, walk, run or dine. The open space allows people to move about with plenty of social distancing created.

Fallbrook is the only unincorporated community that is providing this for its residents.

Last weekend, a farmers market joined the existing businesses along Main Avenue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., adding one more layer of activity to entice residents to come downtown. The Gallery will be featuring plein air artists during the closure.

Small Town, Harry’s Bar, Coffee, Corks and Cuisine have moved out onto the street to expand their dining area. 127 West Social House and Coal Bunker are just a block away and have outside patios as well. Smokin’ Bird BBQ is just up the hill, on Pico, and makes some of the best barbecue you’ve ever tasted.

Estrella’s and Mariscos El Pacifico offer authentic Mexican food and refreshing margaritas. Café des Artistes adjoins the Fallbrook Art Center and features lighter fare, wine and beer. All the restaurants have socially distanced inside dining as well.

The historic Mission Theatre has also started to show classic movies from the past. This month they are featuring horror films. Admission is only $8 – $5 if you wear a costume. Harken back to your younger days or bring your children and grand-children to participate in affordable, wholesome entertainment while enjoying the health food of our generation; hotdogs, nachos, and a huge assortment of box candy to help you get your sugar high. There is even wine and beer.

Due to COVID and limited seating, you must be on the theater's email list. All shows are RSVP only. To be placed on the email list, send your email address to [email protected].

Last week I saw families with strollers, people on bicycles, couples walking their dog and couples just strolling down the street, shopping bag in hand. Have you been to town, lately? I have written numerous articles about how important it is for the value of your real estate to have a vibrant downtown area. Everyone I speak with agrees, but not many actually do anything about it.

I have heard comments that all the merchants aren’t open when residents come to town. You’re right. Not all the merchants are open all the time. They must choose how many hours they can afford to be open. It’s truly a little bit of the chicken and the egg. Stores and restaurants aren’t open because people don’t eat and shop downtown, and people don’t shop and eat downtown, because stores and restaurants aren’t open.

This is the question for me, and it should be the question for you too. Where do you shop? If the first answer is online, then you are not part of the solution. Where do you eat when you go out to eat? If the first answer is Temecula, then you are not part of the solution.

I remember when Old Town Temecula was a ghost town. It’s far from that right now. It is a thriving shopping and dining hub. Residents and visitors go there regularly. Old Town Temecula went from ghost town to boomtown.

If you’re reading this, you probably live in or around Fallbrook. It’s up to you to make a decision to support the local businesses. Make a decision to start this weekend. Come down for dinner Friday or Saturday night. Come down and shop the farmers market Saturday from 10-2.

There are scarecrows lining the streets. It’s a wonderful town with wonderful merchants. The street closure has made it easy for you to be socially distant while still supporting the town. If everyone went to dinner in town twice a month and purchased something from one of the shops each time, the merchants would be thrilled to be open more often.

The success of Fallbrook is in your hands. The value of your home, which is directly tied to the value of the town, is in your hands.

Imagine that you’re a buyer coming here from Orange County. You might fall in love with the views and the privacy, but what happens when you discover that there is no place to eat or shop? Would you really purchase a home here? Or flip that thought over.

Imagine you’re thinking of moving to another town or state. Aren’t you going to check out that town’s commercial zone to see if there are restaurants or shops to enjoy? You bet you are.

Let’s all make a commitment to support this town. There are a lot of people working hard to keep it vibrant and exciting. We all need to do our part.

Kim Murphy can be reached at [email protected] or 760-415-9292 or at 130 N Main Avenue, in Fallbrook. Her broker license is #01229921, and she is on the board of directors for the California Association of Realtors.