Greetings,
This note is an opportunity to recognize community members who have played an integral role in advancing the Downtown. We’d like to express appreciation to those individuals whose passion and creativity helps our community make great strides. Volunteerism and community involvement can take on all shapes and sizes – from advocating for an issue, attending community meetings or simply participating in a conversation – getting involved is a crucial component of being an engaged Downtown stakeholder. To cite a recent example, the dedicated hard work from hundreds of residents, businesses and community partners, helped gain City Council approval of the Downtown Plan, which will improve our ability to compete for high quality, smart development – this is a big victory for our vibrant urban center.
Last week, the DLBA hosted Celebrate Downtown, which featured the contributions made to Downtown and introduced the inaugural Spirit of Downtown Award. Designed to honor members of our community who embody the dedication, love and inspirational qualities of great leaders, the award was presented posthumous to the families of four individuals who made a substantial impact on the character of our Downtown and the City of Long Beach.
In 2011, we experienced the unfortunate passing of Larry Allison, Press Telegram’s Editorial Page Editor; Bill Baker, who served as Chair of the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency; Mark Bixby, bicycling advocate and avid community volunteer; and Shaun Lumachi, co-founder/publisher of the Long Beach Post and public policy consultant. The families of these four prominent leaders were recognized by the DLBA at Celebrate Downtown and as this award continues through the years, it will become associated with those who embody the same qualities and passions as these individuals.
Engaged citizens are vital to any community’s success. Thank you to the many who have made time in their busy schedules to work together – with the DLBA and other organizations – to advance our community. It’s important that we continue to work together to achieve our shared vision and grow our Downtown. We encourage more individuals to get involved and join others to help create a great sense of place. If you would like to become more engaged, the DLBA is a great starting point – between our task forces, committees and Board of Directors, we welcome feedback and contributions from everyone.
Please share this newsletter with your friends and family so that we can continue to spread the news about the great things happening in Downtown Long Beach.
Best Wishes,
John Sangmeister
Chairman
Downtown Long Beach Associates
Residents and businesses are encouraged to bring their e-waste, household batteries, gently used household items and sensitive documents needing shredding to the Second District E-Waste Drive. The annual event is always held after the holidays to assist residents and small businesses with their winter cleaning. Read more
10,000 Small Businesses is a $500 million, 5-year initiative to unlock the economic growth and job-creation potential of 10,000 small businesses across the United States through greater access to business education, financial capital, and business support services. The Long Beach Community College District has partnered with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses initiative to help small businesses in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan region to grow and create jobs. Through the support of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, business owners selected to participate in the LBCC 10,000 Small Businesses education program will receive a full scholarship covering tuition and program materials. Applications are due January 13, 2012. Read more
The DLBA welcomes approximately 200 new businesses to the Downtown area each year. As you know, the challenges that face a new business are numerous and can be overwhelming.
The DLBA currently provides a packet of materials to new businesses, describing the programs and services available to them. As we further personalize that outreach, the DLBA Board has created a Welcome Team to call upon new businesses. The Welcome Team and a DLBA Staff member speak with the new business owner or manager, and present them with a welcome basket comprised of Downtown gifts and insightful information.
A letter was recently sent to all businesses in the district, soliciting donations to be included in the baskets. Read more
Planning on getting some holiday shopping done this Thanksgiving weekend? Come out to Downtown Long Beach where Black Friday shopping kicks off at Walmart at 10 p.m. on Thursday, November 24! Walmart will be open for their regular business hours all day Thursday, but will start their Black Friday deals at 10 p.m. on Thursday, and will stay open for business until midnight on Friday, November 25. And, Walmart has rented out all the parking available at CityPlace to provide customers with a hassle free and cost free parking experience!
Other Downtown retailers are getting into the spirit, including Nordstrom Rack which will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and Ross which will keep their doors open on Friday from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
In addition, this Saturday, November 26, 2011, is Small Business Saturday, which is dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. There are many small businesses in Downtown Long Beach offering specials to those who purchase something with their American Express Card as a part of Small Business Saturday. Click here to read about some of them.
Shopping locally provides a much needed boost to the local economy and helps curb retail leakage. Downtown Long Beach experiences retail leakage when Downtown residents, visitors and employees leave the area to purchase groceries, go to dinner, or buy new clothes. According to the DLBA’s 2011 Economic Profile, retail leakage in Downtown amounts to $38.5 million in food and beverage sales, and $157.2 million in retail goods and services sales in 2010.
Shopping at a small, local business takes the economic boost even further – According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, for every $100 spent at a local business, $45 stays within the within the community. Only $14 re-circulates when that $100 is spent at a national chain.
From record stores to unique eateries, 87% of the businesses in Downtown Long Beach are small businesses. The DLBA works year round to promote shopping locally. Through our Get it Here campaign, Shop Local Committee, and support of local business events and promotions via our website, social media, and e-newsletter, the DLBA works diligently to provide support for these hard-working entrepreneurs.
Happy Shopping!
Join us for an art exhibition on Saturday, August 13, 2011 to celebrate the culmination of the Get it Here poster campaign. Held in conjunction with the monthly Second Saturday Art Walk in the East Village, this art show will celebrate the entire run of posters. Mix and mingle with your friends and neighbors, listen to live music, take part in contests and enjoy the festive summer atmosphere.
The art gallery event will start at 6:30 p.m. and will take place at 425 East Broadway in Downtown’s East Village. It will be curated by Vayden Roi Galleries, the DLBA’s curatorial partner in our storefront gallery activation programs. It will be open and free to the public, and copies of the posters will be available on a limited basis.
Friday, June 17, 2011 marked the launch of the nine-week Get it Here program, which promotes awareness and pride for the wide variety of retail-oriented businesses located in Downtown Long Beach. Get it Here features a series of nine posters, each highlighting a different type of business. On the Friday of every week, starting today, a different poster will debut. The posters will be hung in business storefronts throughout the Downtown.
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