Once a vibrant hotspot for middle schoolers, downtown Menlo Park seems to have lost its appeal to students. In past years, tons of kids filled the streets, grabbed snacks at Walgreens, and hung out with friends at and around popular businesses like Starbucks and Green Bubble. This year, however, many middle school students are opting out of the downtown scene.
Downtown Menlo Park was once so popular with students that Hillview’s administration had to address it in the school’s morning announcements. “I remember our administration at Hillview said stuff like, ‘Be safe and don’t be disrespectful,’ because they got complaints from people and businesses in the downtown area,” freshman Nick Sandoval said.
“I’ve noticed less kids coming downtown this year rather than last year,” Ellie Kriebel, an eighth grader at Hillview Middle School, said. “I feel like it’s gotten less fun and more boring for people,” Bella Gormsen, one of Kriebel’s Hillview classmates, said.
Although fewer kids go downtown, many still stop by for their usual Starbucks drinks. “We sometimes go to get Starbucks, but we leave pretty quickly,” freshman Amelia Lee said. The once-bustling hangout spot now feels like a quick pit stop rather than a lively meeting spot.
“I’ve definitely noticed fewer kids coming downtown this year,” a Starbucks employee said.
“Personally, I have never been a big fan of downtown. It is pretty boring, and I’m usually tired after school and I would prefer to relax at home,” Natalie Roman, an eighth grader at Hillview, said.
“We went a bunch last year so it’s just become boring,” Blake Danielewicz, an eighth grader at Hillview, said.
Students are finding new ways to spend their free time. “On minimum days or days when I feel like doing something fun with my friends, I would rather go to the mall or go to a friend’s house because there are more things to do,” Roman said.
For many, the days of crowded sidewalks and after-school Starbucks hangouts have started to fade into memory.
Funny reading this article; i re-engineered downtown Menlo Park in the 90’s. Too bad the kids are finding it boring and business is down. I wonder if downtown Palo Alto or Stanford Mall are experiencing the same fate? If not, what are the differences?