Downtown trying to slow leak of sales

LOUISVILLE — In an ideal world, the sidewalks along Louisville’s Main Street would be filled with a steady stream of people poking their heads into sweet little shops, stopping for an ice cream or a cup of coffee, or sitting down for a meal with their friends and families.

But the reality is, Louisville is no longer the default destination for southeast Boulder County residents looking for a place to shop or a plate of spaghetti, and the charming downtown is experiencing a slow leak of sales to shops and restaurants beyond the city’s borders.

Eliza Swain, a downtown merchant for about…