Strategy #1: Neighborhood-serving commercial center

Demand for neighborhood goods and services is anticipated to continue to grow. The following are business and product line possibilities to capture the growing demand:

• Quick service restaurants/take-out food
• A mid-size supermarket, similar to Whole Foods
• Quality restaurants
• Specialty/ethnic bakeries
• Daycare
• Drugstore/medical equipment
• Cosmetics
• Hardware
• Urban gardening supplies
• Mailing and packaging service
• Dog walking and pet sitting services
• Fitness centers
• Magazine/newspaper/greeting cards
• Auto detailing
• Dry cleaning/tailoring
• Shoe repair

Strategy #2: Arts, cultural, and entertainment district

There is an enormous need for new arts, cultural and entertainment activity in the Village. The following are some business possibilities for this strategy:

• Additional locally-owned restaurants, which incorporate arts/culture
• A two to three screen movie theater featuring both first-run and specialty films
• A small, upscale bowling alley
• Custom-made/craft furniture, home furnishings, clothing, jewelry, paper products, toys/games, etc.
• Highly specialized retail businesses

Strategy #3: Specialized retail clusters

Specialized clusters help define or reinforce the village personality of uniqueness. The following are business possibilities to help give the village a distinct market identity and provide it with a degree of market buoyancy:

• Energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly housewares
• Unique home furnishings
• Unique clothing
• Specialty food
• Bicycle sales, rentals and repairs
• Vintage and unique eyeglass frames
• Custom wetsuits
• Custom triathlon suits
• Golf merchandise
• “Build a Bear” or something similar
• Vintage dashboard restoration and fabrication
• Vintage/refurbished/reengineered kitchen appliances

Why should a business locate in the Village of Carlsbad?

Following are the top 10 reasons why business owners should choose to locate in the Village of Carlsbad:

A prominent employment center. It is estimated that there are 1,700 full-time employees in the Village. A business center for the community. It serves as healthy environment for “growing” existing businesses due to the ease of accessibility. Accessibility of parking Most of the businesses in the Village are independently owned. A significant portion of the community’s tax base, and therefore is a vital contributor to the financial health of Carlsbad. An indispensible shopping and service center. The historic core of the community. Many of the buildings are historically significant and help highlight the community’s history. A vast amount of public and private investment. A major tourist draw. A sense of community and place. It is the heart and soul of Carlsbad. Approximately 11,300 people visit the Village of Carlsbad on a typical day.

Perhaps there is a property that is of interest; however, the existing structure may not be right. Redevelopment of the property is always a possibility. Contact City staff to assist in the process.

Key resources, which will help in that process:

• Carlsbad Village Development Standards
• Fee schedule
• Land use matrix
• Parking
• Signage

Business license: All businesses operating in the City of Carlsbad are required to have a Carlsbad business license. A business license is taxation for the privilege of doing business in the city. The minimum business license fee is $30.

Tip: Contact the Housing & Neighborhood Services Office to ensure that the prospective business is permitted in the selected location before entering into a lease or submitting an application for a business license.

Three departments review each business license: Building, Planning, and Fire. The normal length of time for processing a license is two to three weeks. For more information, contact the Finance Department at 760-602-2495 or access the Finance Department via the web.

Fictitious names: The owner of a business who uses a fictitious name (one other than his/her own name) for their business must clear the name through the County Clerk to ensure no one else is using it for business purposes. For more information contact the San Diego County Clerk.

Seller’s permit: A seller’s permit number is required for all persons selling tangible property, which is subject to State Sales and Use Tax. For more information contact the State Board of Equalization.

Federal Employer Identification Number: This number may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040.

State Identification Number: Businesses are required to obtain a state identification number to report employee taxes to the State. For more information, call 760-737-2200.

Live entertainment land use permit: A land use permit is required for businesses wanting to have live entertainment. Businesses with a land use permit for live entertainment must also comply with the Entertainment Ordinance. For more information, please contact Housing & Neighborhood Services at 760-434-2815.