Originally published at https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us on January 24, 2019.
Small business is a major factor of the U.S. economy with more than 89 percent of small businesses employing 20 people or less. In support of these small businesses, Small Business Saturday is a nationwide initiative focused on boosting city merchants and changing the way people shop during the holidays. There will be more than 7,500 local events taking place in cities across all 50 states on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Last year, U.S. consumers spent a record high of $17.8 billion while shopping at independent retailers and restaurants during Small Business Saturday, and more than $103 billion in total since 2010.
In 2000, stakeholders from Oceanside’s downtown business community formed Mainstreet Oceanside to help create a commercial epicenter that thrives both economically and culturally, and implement programs that maintain the city’s unique character and strengthen its sense of community.
Today, Mainstreet Oceanside serves as a helping hand to the over 400 locally-owned businesses covering 84 square blocks, and provides mentorship and support to neighboring communities like the newly established South O Business District.
For the fifth year, Mainstreet Oceanside is rolling out a series of community shopping events to celebrate the holidays and promote local retailers, eateries, crafters, and service providers. This year’s ’Tis the Season to Shop Local campaign kicks off Saturday, November 30, in conjunction with Small Business Saturday and will conclude Wednesday, December 11, with the South O Winter Walkabout.
50 local merchants will participate in Oceanside’s ’Tis the Season to Shop Local campaign, which runs Saturday, Nov. 30 — Wednesday, Dec. 11.
In a time when consumers trend towards purchasing common products online, offering something different and unique is what attracts people to local storefronts and keeps them coming back.
“Experimental, one-of-a-kind products are what incentivizes people to visit and shop at particular stores and gets them more engaged with the community,” said Gumaro Escarcega, Programs Manager at Mainstreet Oceanside. “The better products and experiences people can get at our local merchants, the more they return and spend.”
Known for its take-risks culinary scene, Oceanside’s gastro pubs, farm-to-table, and fine dining restaurants are attracting both new businesses and visitors. Since 2012, the number of food and beverage businesses in Oceanside’s downtown district has nearly doubled to more than 90. A found that the experience of celebrating the holidays with others is the leading type of holiday spend, and that the number one thing people report buying for themselves over the holidays is food and drink. With restaurants like and and Wrench & Rodent Seabasstropub and popular wine bars and tasting rooms like Coomber Craft Wines , Orfila, Holmes Estate Cellars . Craft breweries like Breakwater Brewing , Bagby Beer Co ., Northern Pine Brewing , and Kilowatt Brewing, Oceanside Mainstreet hopes that foodies, craft beverage connoisseurs, and gift-givers alike choose to spend that money locally during the holidays.
Residents and visitors sip and shop at local retailers during Oceanside’s (2018) Small Business Saturday campaign.
Shop, Eat, Drink and Be Merry
’Tis the Season to Shop Local will begin Saturday, November 30 with the release of the shopping passport, a craft beer and wine tasting event, and a makers fair offering handcrafted goods. The streets of Oceanside’s downtown district will be filled with the sounds of music and live carolers, and illuminated by white lights and festive storefront window decor.
The 11-day holiday campaign encourages residents to shop small and support local retailers and artisans, with events that span the downtown district, South O, and South Morro Hills. Key activities include:
The Shop Local Holiday Passport program is designed to incentivize shoppers to visit and engage with local merchants. Visit participating eateries and retailers between Nov. 30 and Dec. 11 and enter completed passports for a chance to win unique prizes that are worth keeping or can be re-gifted for the holidays, some of which are valued at $500. Shoppers have until Friday, Dec. 13 at noon to submit passports at MainStreet Oceanside or any of its drop off locations to be eligible to win prizes.
Sip and Shop is a walkable shopping and tasting experience that takes ticket holders to 16 participating downtown businesses where they will receive 1- to 3-ounce tastings from some of Oceanside’s best breweries, wineries, and craft beverage makers along with an official Shop Small tote. Designated Sip Stops include The Arcade Tattoo , Bliss Tea Camp Coffee Company , Coomber Craft Wines , Artifacts , Flourish + Live Well , Gypsy Soul Dreaming , Linksoul Lab , Oceanside Ace Hardware , Oceanside Alternative Medicine , Oceanside Jewelers , Otterlei Coastal , Pier View Coffee Company , Sandy Toes Gift Store , Seaside Flowers , and Whitlock Surf Experience .t and Treats ,
Tickets can be purchased online in advance for $20 per person, or at the door the day of the event for $25. Sip and Shop takes place Nov. 30 from 1–4 p.m. and participation will be limited to the first 250 people.
TheMerry Makers Fair is a two-day pop-up event in Artists Alley (between Pier View Way and Mission Avenue) featuring handcrafted and artisan goods from 45 sellers. The Fair originated as an incubation project to source atypical and specialty products that complement the district’s brick and mortar business. For its fourth year, the Merry Makers Fair will be part of Oceanside’s Shop Local campaign. It will take place on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday Dec.1 from 10:00 a.m — 2:00 p.m.
Holiday shoppers browse the (2018) Merry Makers Fair to find handmade, one-of-a-kind gifts.
Explore South O During the Winter Walkabout and Holiday Hustle
The South O Business District was established in 2018 to represent the neighborhood’s interests and to have a voice in helping plan the city’s future. While still very new, the South O Business District has 30 active members and nine volunteer board members, all of whom are committed to maintaining South O’s beach-town character and laid-back vibe. Many South O business owners not only live in the neighborhood, but many also grew up there.
“South O is not really a transitional area where people move to, then move on or move up,” said Cynthia Trujillo, Board Member for the South O Business District and owner of Reap & Sow . “People come to South O and they tend to stay, so we have generations of the same family living here.”
South O’s coffee houses and eateries are known for doing things differently and serving up something totally unique. It’s the kind of place where craft coffee-lovers can find the best two-minute pour overs at Revolution Roasters or Captain’s Grounds Coffee , and the hungry can still get a hearty, “sticks-to-your-bones” breakfast at Beach Break Cafe or Don’s Country Kitchen . With a respected culinary scene, foodies flock to South O’s upscale Privateer Marketplace and local celebrity chef Davin Waite’s popular The Whet Noodle . The neighborhood is also home to eclectic retailers like Reap & Sow , an eco-friendly, zero-waste lifestyle boutique and the Captain’s Helm , a buy, sell, and trade reseller of vintage clothing and accessories.
South O retailers welcome shoppers during the (2018) Winter Walkabout.
Located west of I-5 between Oceanside Boulevard and the Buena Vista Lagoon, South O is known for being a relaxed, blue collar, coastal community that is very innovative, forward-thinking, and culturally-driven. It’s the neighborhood where tourists go to experience Oceanside like locals, and it is where locals and visitors from neighboring communities can experience a genuine hometown holiday at its two ’Tis The Season to Shop Local events.
The South O Winter Walkaboutis a casual, social event that takes locals on a half-mile stroll through South O’s charming, up and coming business district on Wednesday, December 11. It begins in the parking lot of The South O Winter Walkabout Beach Break Café where families can take pictures with Santa and purchase fresh baked goods from the local PTO (parent teacher organization). Participating storefronts from Whaley Street to Vista Way will be serving local hospitality with holiday window decorations, hot apple cider, live music, and special discounts. The South O Winter Walkabout is the last event to get Shop Local Holiday Passports stamped to win local prizes.
The Holly Hustle is the community’s final Shop Local push before Christmas, running Saturday, December 21 through Tuesday, December 24, where local merchants and cafes will stay open until 8 p.m. and offer last-minute discounts. Hand-outs will be available at the South O Walkabout with a list of participating Holiday Hustle retailers and eateries, special promotions, and hours of operation.
Shop Small at Holiday Mercato in South Morro Hills
For the fifth year, the Beach House Winery will host a Holiday Mercato on the first Saturday of December to showcase local businesses, artists, musicians, and farmers’ products from the area.
The family-friendly event will take place 11 a.m — 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 7. Local musician, Rick Founds , will provide musical entertainment as guests shop, sip wine and enjoy the beautiful views of South Morro Hills’ agricultural area. As a drop off location for Toys for Tots , the Beach House Winery is offering a half-off glass of wine for shoppers who donate a new, unused toy for the annual Toys for Tots drive.
Regional sellers are showcased at the (2018) Holiday Mercato in South Morro Hills.
The Holiday Mercato will feature a dozen small vendors selling local art, chocolates, jams/jellies, coffee, clothing, jewelry, cigars, honey, olive oil and vinegar, and gift baskets. Participating vendors include Tracker Trucks , Mraz Family Farms , So Rich! Chocolates , O’side Kitchen Collaborative , Mellano & Company , Southern Draw Cigars , Nagata Brothers Farms, Upcycled Creations , and Bonsall Beans Company .
Members of Mission Vista High School’s golf team will be on hand to shuttle guests to/from the Holiday Mercato and selling bratwurst, chips, and drinks to fundraise for the team’s annual expenses. There will be a raffle with prizes donated by the participating vendors that will benefit the golf team
The Beach House Winery was the first vineyard and winery established in Oceanside’s agricultural community of South Morro Hills. It was opened in 2010 by wine enthusiasts turned makers George and Kim Murray. The Beach House Winery, which sits on the ridgeline of Sleeping Indian, boasts 360 degree views from its second-story deck capturing the beauty of both Pacific Ocean coastline and San Diego Country’s richest agricultural region. The winery is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon — 4 p.m., and at all other days and times by appointment only.
Oceanside is a small-town city where people live, stay, and shop. While its developing in a progressive way, Oceanside remains deeply committed to maintaining a small town feel and building a business districts that reflects its history and diverse communities. Oceanside’s ’Tis the Season to Shop Local campaign is a partnership between MainStreet Oceanside, City of Oceanside Economic Development , The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce , and South Oceanside Business District . Visit Oceanside ,