All neighborhoods across Santa Monica are gearing up for “Buy Local Weekend” this Saturday and Sunday with hundreds of retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses offering specials and incentives for residents to spend their dollars locally.
However, the Buy Local Expo scheduled for this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Third Street Promenade has been postponed to March 31 due to rain in the forecast.
The more than 80 local vendors and food booths scheduled to participate at the Expo – including interactive activities, live music, and entertainment on two stages – will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 31.
The “Sidewalk Sales” planned for Main Street, Montana Avenue, Ocean Park Boulevard, Pico Boulevard, and Downtown Santa Monica will also be pushed back to March 31.
However, the rest of the Buy Local Weekend festivities are still kicking off this weekend. These festivities are made possible thanks to a partnership with the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Santa Monica, and the City of Santa Monica.
Chamber President Laurel Rosen said she encouraged all residents to take part in this citywide event.
“With all the partners working together on the Buy Local campaign, what it’s done is really brought together all the BIDS (Business Improvement Districts), the City, The Chamber, and Convention and Visitors Bureau to really get out this one really important message: For everyone to please keep their dollars in Santa Monica to maintain the strength of this community,” Rosen said.
This is the second year the Buy Local Weekend has been held, which coincides with the LA Marathon on Sunday.
Rosen said this weekend was chosen to capitalize on the tens of thousands of Marathon runners and their family and friends that would visit the city.
She said the weekend also built on the Buy Local philosophy.
“It’s an important event because it’s a focus of this year long message, come out and support your community and come out and support your local businesses,” she said. “You support your businesses, the businesses are able to give back to the community, and the community thrives. That’s the formula.”
Additionally, many businesses will offer specials on www.BuyLocalSM.com/buylocalweekend and a portion of the proceeds will go to support local schools.
The Airport Art Walk at Santa Monica Airport will still be held on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in spite of the predicted rain.
The Buy Local citywide scavenger hunt will still be launched on Saturday (visit www.buylocalsm.com/scavengerhunt for more details).
Jennifer Taylor, Economic Development Administrator for The City of Santa Monica, said buying locally reduced the city’s carbon footprint and encouraged residents to shop closer to home and work.
“It also builds a strong community by encouraging people to discover and appreciate their local, neighborhood-serving businesses and to get to know their neighbors,” Taylor said.
A complete list of businesses, activities, and specials for Buy Local Weekend is available online at www.buylocalsantamonica.com/buylocalweekend.
For more information is also available at www.smchamber.com/buylocalexpo.
