July 11, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Buy Local Santa Monica Unwrapped This Holiday Season:

By Jennifer Taylor / Buy Local Santa Monica Committee Chair

This holiday season, as you’re filling the stockings, lighting the candles, shopping for last minute gifts and preparing for festive meals, please buy local. When you shop at a local business, not only are you getting unique products and quality services from your neighbors, but you’re also giving a gift back to your community.

This holiday season, we asked local businesses for “perfect holiday gift” ideas.

From stocking stuffers to handmade gems, ponchos to pizza ovens, our businesses have you covered.

Many are offering a special 10 percent holiday discount and/or giving a donation to the schools when you mention “Buy Local.” For more information visit www.buylocalsm.com/news-spotlights.

Speaking of schools, did you know that more than $6.5 million was raised for Santa Monica’s schools last year, thanks to local purchases? This funding was used to purchase textbooks, employ 43 teachers, fund summer school programs, and to hire a Samohi college counselor. Buying local makes a difference to our schools and our community.

A recent study by Civic Economics found that for every dollar you spend at a locally owned business, 68 cents stays in the local economy in the form of taxes, wages, local purchasing, employee spend, community donations and more. For purchases made at non-locally owned businesses (e.g. chain stores), 43 cents stays in the community. It all helps. Just think what would happen if every Santa Monica resident took the Buy Local Challenge pledge to spend $50 each month at favorite local businesses. This is just what a group of 80 seniors (and their parents) are doing at Samohi and they’re blogging about it! To join the challenge and read the great blogs, visit www.buylocalsantamonica.com/buylocalchallenge.

The Buy Local Santa Monica campaign was launched in 2009 by representatives of the Santa Monica business community and the City of Santa Monica to support local businesses and raise awareness of the community, economic and environmental benefits of choosing local first.

Local buying strengthens our community.

By joining forces with other regional and national efforts, including Small Business Saturday, we are working to translate awareness into action to support a vibrant and sustainable local economy. For more info on the campaign, visit www.buylocalsm.com.

In addition to perfect gift ideas and joining the Buy Local Challenge, we want to hear from you about the kinds of products and services you need in your neighborhood. We’ve joined forces with Main Street, Montana Avenue, Pico Boulevard and Downtown SM to launch a Buy Local resident survey www.surveymonkey.com/s/BuyLocalSM. Feedback will help inform existing businesses about unmet resident needs, and will also be used to help attract new businesses to Santa Monica.

Your dollars spent in Santa Monica make a difference. Thank you for supporting your local businesses and your community. Happy Holidays from Buy Local SM!

in News
<>Related Posts

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

Santa Monica Joins Regional Lawsuit to Halt Unconstitutional ICE Raids

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The motion to intervene seeks to ensure that Santa Monica and other plaintiff-intervenors can advocate for their residents’ rights in...

Promenade Restaurant Introduces Lunch Menu Set at $18 Per Person

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The fixed $18 price point targets commuters and those seeking a power lunch or a change of scenery The restaurant...

Santa Monica Council Votes in Support of Park-Centric Future at Airport Site

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The decision followed a contentious meeting with over 140 public speakers and more than 1,000 emails received by the council...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

‘Adoptapalooza’ Pet Adoption Festival Returns to Main Street This Weekend

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The free, family-friendly event aims to connect adoptable animals with new owners Green Dog Dental & Veterinary Center will host...

Virtual Town Hall to Discuss Proposed Resilient Rebuilding Authority

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The agency, to be run by political appointees, would manage permitting, development, zoning, and funding, modeled after post-disaster recoveries Los...

New Agenda Coaching: Changing Lives in LA

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Students Work Toward Applied Success with Executive Function Coaching Services The demands of daily routines and studies sometimes bear weight...

Saint Monica Prep Students Win Award for Anti-Street Racing PSA Video

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The winning public service announcement, titled “Not Worth It,” was highlighted in a post on X by @LADOTofficial  Students from...

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...