Businesses around Dinuba High School have been affected by the new high school move that happened over the winter break. For many years, high school students would visit downtown shops and gas stations during the school day and support these local businesses, but now, since the new campus is essentially closed during lunchtime, these businesses are having a hard time because fewer people are showing up.
Quick Corner on Tulare Street has shut down and is looking for owners to buy the property. In the past, students would hang around Quick Corner mornings and afternoons, but now that the high school is farther away, no one shows up anymore.
Another business that is being affected is Wimpy’s on Tulare Street. During lunch hours, Wimpy’s was very close to the old school site, so most students would sit and dine inside. The manager, Monquie, states, “It is slower, much slower now that the high schoolers are not even here, and it’s just been so dead.” She continues to state how the students would come more during lunch and after school. “My boss is working something out but only at lunch hour business on Mondays and Thursdays, sometimes Fridays, depending.”
Me & Martha’s Express is also being affected, not only because fewer students go in but also because they would expect teachers to eat lunch during school hours. The owner, Blanca Valero, states, “Teachers I don’t think are coming as much as they used to.” Valero also said she would get the same students every day, and now they don’t come anymore.
Businesses that have been a part of the community for a long time, have found a struggle with the DHS move also. For example, Orbit Lanes is known as a fun bowling place for families and friends. Students would go there daily to grab a slice of pizza for lunch. As stated by an Orbit worker, ¨We have noticed a decrease of crowded students coming in during lunch hours. We are lucky for the part that we´re still a spot for a fun time bowling and not just for pizza sales.¨ Without the daily rush of students grabbing a quick slice, the business has seen a decrease in sales dramatically throughout the week.
Another struggling spot was Brick & Stone, a neighbor of Orbit Lanes. This cozy café was where students often grabbed their morning coffee or stopped by during lunchtime. Since the move, the cafe´s student traffic has stopped approaching almost every day. Brick and Stone was a well-liked business by a variety of high school students and teachers; sadly, it has been announced to be shut down.
Even Fosters Freeze, a longtime local favorite, has taken a hit. The burger and ice cream joint was popular among students who had a proper student meal of hamburger and fries. But now, with the students no longer around, sales have dropped. Workers stated that while they still have customers pass by for their Fosters Freeze ice cream or for quick meals, they haven’t had a rush of student customers coming down for lunch ever since.
