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Mayer businesses struggling to attract customers after flash floods, brush fire

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After recent natural disasters made headlines in Mayer, businesses in the area are now struggling to stay afloat.

Creekside Preserve Manager Mark Plus says his business is among many that are trying to bring back tourists who may have been scared off by the recent happenings.

Plus says not only are their doors still open, but very few structures were destroyed by the Goodwin Fire and recent flash floods.

“The fire burned a couple structures on the outskirts of the town near the foothills and the flooding just damaged a couple trailer parks and some structures in low-lying areas,” Plus said.

According to Plus, the town has cleaned up the destruction but tourists are still not coming. He explained that the only lasting damage is the lack of visitors coming to the area because they believe the area is “out of business.”

“This can cause local businesses and local people who work there [in Mayer] more distress than the natural disaster did,” Plus said. “It puts a burden on the businesses in the town in this situation.”

Because of this, several employees were laid off from jobs because no money is coming in, Plus confirmed.

Plus said Creekside Preserve is no exception when it comes to struggling to bring in customers.

He explained despite the fire being several miles away and the cabins situated above the flood channel, people are still not coming to vacation there.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Plus said. “The Creekside’s management and staff this summer are still working to offer lodging and restaurant services to the public but they are having a hard go of it because of the belief that the disaster put the Creekside out of business…the Creekside, especially, has stayed as attractive and inviting as ever.”