By David Ryan Palmer
Assistant Editor

Up and down First Street, businesses of all stripes are being affected by the still-slumping economy — though some are feeling the downturn less than others.

While the economy is impacting many city stores negatively, some businesses, such as Wheels in Motion Skate and Bike Shop, are actually flourishing.

Owner Greg Andrada said he thinks that’s because of the type of products he sells.

“I think it’s because we’re a unique store, and that people don’t usually spare any expense, really, for kids,” he said.

“They’ll spend the money for kids. I think we’re selling bikes and skateboards equally right now. I think, if you compare it dollar to dollar, we’re even.”

Andrada said business at his shop at 735 First St. typically slumps just after the holidays during January and February, but picks up again in the spring.

“It’s normal for us to have sales drop off in January and February. I’ve been here for almost 20 years, but it’s cyclical, so it goes up again in March, April, May, June,” he said.

Benicia Chamber of Commerce and Benicia Main Street do not keep figures for holiday sales. But down the street, Courtyard Customs, 333 First St., No. 5, is not able to brag of the kind of gains enjoyed by Wheels in Motion.

“It’s been pretty bad,” said Frank Cassese, owner of the shop that does custom signs and designs.

“In the last couple of months it has slowed down dramatically. I think that it’s been that way all over First Street. I don’t see as many people out on the street as there should be,” he said.

Cassese is on the board of directors for Benicia Main Street, and said that agency’s efforts may need to be refocused. “First of all, the state of the economy isn’t that great. A lot has to be done, I think. Drastic times call for drastic measures,” he said.

“I think what they’ve been doing worked when the economy was good, but right now we’ve got to take other steps.”

Meanwhile, Claudia Mahrt, owner of Be Chic Boutique, 309 First St., said that the holidays have been good to her this year.

“We’re still a little behind because last year was a pretty good year,” she said.

“Holiday shopping has been pretty good. People have been coming in a lot to buy Christmas presents.”

Mahrt has hope for the new year, too.

“A lot of people got hurt, but I feel next year is going to be a positive year. Not a ‘great, great’ year, but a lot better than this year,” she said.

Pups ‘n’ Purrz dog and cat boutique, 422 First St., is also doing well, though not exceptionally so, owner Bill Holt said.

“It’s been steady, saleswise. It’s been my normal. It’s not down from my normal sales, but it’s not crazy like I was told it was going to be,” Holt said.

Predictions of huge holiday sales gains haven’t really come through, Holt said.

“I haven’t had that 30- or 50-percent increase in sales that everyone says I should be getting for the holiday — but you know, I’m still not declining.”

Holt’s success, he said, may lie with his regular customers — and like Wheels in Motion, his shop is unique on First Street.

“I think it’s because of what I’m selling. This is a huge dog community, and I have my regular customers, too. I’ve got people that come to me for all their food and their treats,” he said.

Some First Street businesses have been hit exceptionally hard, as in the case of one shop owner who would talk to The Herald but did not want to be named.

“Even though I come in six days a week,” the owner said, “and put in longer hours than I used to, it’s still barely, barely making it.

“Online sales are killing us. Though I hate it, I absolutely hate it, I’ll probably have to close this store.”