The fourth annual Buy Local Expo returns to the Third Street Promenade this Saturday from 12-5 pm.
The expo is a collaboration between the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the City of Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., and the Santa Monica Education Foundation.
Buy Local Expo Co-Chair Jennifer Taylor said Saturday will be the City’s biggest Buy Local event of the year.
“Buy Local Santa Monica was created by the Santa Monica business community and the City of Santa Monica to encourage local buying and strengthen our thriving community by raising awareness about the economic, environmental and community benefits of thinking local first,” Taylor said. “The campaign has evolved from an awareness-building campaign to a very proactive campaign, encouraging our residents and employees to not only think local first, but also make a conscious effort to shop/eat/play local and keep their dollars in our community.”
This year the festival celebrates Buy Local in a handful of ways:
• Live and Stay Local offers a free goodie bag and raffle ticket to win a Stay and Play Package to the first 100 people that pledge to Buy Local. Receive a free raffle ticket when you check in to the interactive “We are Santa Monica” map.
• Shop Local will showcase businesses from all the neighborhoods including The Sewing Arts Center from Pico Boulevard, Montalvo and Nothing Bundt Cakes from Montana Avenue, Eva Verro from the Santa Monica Place Mall as well as many others.
• The Play Local stage will feature performances from the Samohi Chamber Orchestra, Santa Monica’s Best Trainers, New Roads School’s Robotic Team, and SMC faculty and students’ Belly dancing troupe.
• Eat Local Stage features demos from the Farmers Market, the Office of Sustainability and local restaurants. Pick your favorite dish on Facebook from chefs at neighborhood spots including Blue Plate Taco, Seasons 52, and Perry’s Café.
Last year, purchases from Santa Monica businesses raised more than $47 million for the community, helping to fund the Police and Fire Departments, parks, and schools.
There are other benefits to people shopping closer to home and work. It reduces the city’s carbon footprint and builds a strong community by encouraging people to appreciate their local, neighborhood-serving businesses and getting to know their neighbors.
Local retailers are also more likely to carry regionally produced wares, further contributing financial resources to our economy and supporting our local artists and craftspeople.
In addition to events on the Third Street Promenade, each business district has Buy Local activities planned.
Sidewalk sales from participating businesses on Montana Avenue, Main Street, and Pico Boulevard will occur during Buy Local Week. “Love your Local” promotions will also take place at local restaurants and stores.
For more information, visit www.smchamber.com/buylocal or call 310.393.9825.
