How One Downtown Rebounded From The Pandemic, Even As Others Struggle

CBS Los Angeles

March 7, 2023

At the onset of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, downtowns across the country emptied out. Soft lockdowns, office closures and a massive shift to remote work meant businesses in the urban core that were traditionally dependent on the daily foot traffic of commuters were at risk of financial ruin.

In San Diego, a downtown economy dependent on tourism and convention-goers, restaurant owners were bracing for the worst.

"People were hunkering down, but at least they were doing takeout and delivery and maybe going to the occasional restaurant that wasn't supposed to be open," said Michael Georgopoulos, a restaurant developer and partner at RMD Group. "But Gaslamp in downtown was quiet. I mean, it was scary."

Click https://www.cbsnews.com/video/... for a CBS News video report.

CBS Local Digital Media personalizes the global reach of CBS-owned and operated television and radio stations with a local perspective.