As the excitement builds for Comic-Con, which kicks off this Thursday and is already sold out, local businesses in the Gaslamp District of San Diego reflect on the convention’s contrasting economic effects.
The annual event is expected to draw approximately 135,000 attendees, resulting in a projected spending of $96.5 million and a broader economic impact of $160 million across the San Diego region, according to city estimates from last year.
For some businesses, Comic-Con is a boon, while others, like novelty store owner Omar Farah, experience a downturn.
Oscar Chou, who manages Shisan Fan, a family-owned restaurant located just two blocks from the San Diego Convention Center, shares a positive outlook on the convention’s impact.
Having opened just a month before the event last year, Chou noted a significant influx of customers during Comic-Con.
“It was incredible to see our restaurant filled all day, with many patrons in elaborate costumes,” Chou stated.
This surge in business required the family to work longer hours and stock additional fish for their sushi offerings.
“The atmosphere created by the fans dressed as their comic favorites like Superman or the Joker was amazing,” Chou added.
In stark contrast, Omar Farah, who operates two novelty stores in the Gaslamp District and another in Seaport Village, expressed frustration about the event’s negative impact on his business.
Farah explained that while he usually sees steady tourist traffic throughout the summer, sales plummet before and during Comic-Con.
“We don’t benefit at all from it,” he lamented, noting that Comic-Con attendees tend to spend their money inside the convention center rather than at local shops.
“The only businesses profiting are those tied to the hospitality and transportation sectors, like hotels, restaurants, Uber, Lyft, and taxi drivers,” he stated.
Farah believes a change in the timing of Comic-Con could alleviate this issue.
“If it were scheduled in late fall or winter—as it was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021—there would be fewer local visitors competing with convention attendees, which would benefit businesses like mine,” he suggested.
Meanwhile, Alonso Nuñez, the executive director of Little Fish Comic Book Studio, which offers comic book classes and events, sees a need to explore beyond the convention center during this vibrant time.
Having attended Comic-Con for over 30 years, he serves as a judge for this year’s Comic-Con Hall of Fame class.
Núñez shared how the event has evolved for him over the years; once immersed solely in the convention floor, he now takes breaks to experience what San Diego has to offer.
“I have friends who come to Comic-Con and think San Diego is just the airport and the convention center, but I feel it’s my duty to showcase the city’s hidden gems,” Núñez reflected.
He often introduces visitors to neighboring areas like Little Italy and Barrio Logan, emphasizing the rich cultural experiences available beyond the convention walls.
In conclusion, while Comic-Con brings excitement and substantial economic benefits for some businesses like restaurants in the Gaslamp District, others like Farah’s novelty stores wrestle with detrimental sales downturns.
The event, while a highlight for many, embodies the complexities of tourism and commerce in San Diego.
image source from：timesofsandiego
