Las Vegas (KSNV) — Tourism and tariffs are shaping the outlook for many small business owners across the Las Vegas Valley, with impacts varying widely depending on what a business sells and where it is located.
In the Arts District, Esther’s Kitchen General Manager Keith Bracewell said the restaurant has seen its customer mix tilt more toward visitors over time.
“I would say the tourism for us has kind of shifted upward, so we’re looking at probably 60-70 percent tourists when it was dynamic when we first started,” Bracewell said.
Bracewell credited the growing popularity of the Arts District and convention traffic for bringing more visitors into the neighborhood. “I think with all of the things that are here now and the people that have been coming for conventions and things, they’re really finding out about this place, and it allows them to get out and get more of a sense of their hometown if they’re not from Vegas,” he said.
At the same time, Bracewell said tariffs have added pressure for restaurants, including higher costs for alcohol. “It’s definitely gone up with tariffs and things.
A lot of booze has gone up. That’s been a big pressure point on the industry there,” he said.
A few blocks away, Red Kat Manager Aspen Davis said the vintage clothing store relies heavily on visitors, though repeat local customers also help keep the business going.
“It’s probably 40 percent locals and the rest is tourists,” Davis said. “But we do get a lot of recurring locals, which keeps us in business.”
Because the store focuses on vintage items sourced locally, Davis said tariffs are not a factor. “We don’t really like – import things. So, it’s us going to estate sales, and we have a list of people that call us,” Davis said.
“When they’re trying to get rid of some things, which is why we’ve been in business for as long as we have.”
Near the Strip, Las Vegas Souvenirs and Gifts owner Jimmy Singh said his business is being squeezed by both fewer visitors and higher costs tied to imported goods. Asked whether tourism and tariffs are affecting him, Singh said, “Yes, both.”
Singh said he has had to raise prices on low-cost souvenir items. “Before, I’m selling like 99-cent items. I have shot glasses, key chains, and magnets. So now we sell them for a dollar-49,” he said.
