Support Santa Monica Businesses and Share Your Favorite Way to Buy Local this Holiday Season

December 15, 2020 9:01 AM
by Jennifer Taylor

‘Tis the season to Buy Local Santa Monica! Show your local love and help support our community’s economic recovery.  

Now more than ever, it is important we support our favorite local businesses and encourage local buying during the holiday season as a way to strengthen our community by raising awareness about the economic, environmental and community benefits of buying local first.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1 in 4 small businesses is at risk of closing permanently. Buying local keeps dollars in Santa Monica’s economy to keep our community strong. For every $10 spent at a Santa Monica business, as much as $7 stays in the community through payroll and taxes that are reinvested to keep our essential community services running and support local schools and parks. Over $16 million in revenue was generated last year for the SMMUSD through local purchases, let’s keep the community investment going!

In addition, there are a number of safe ways to support our local businesses that do not cost money including writing a positive review, telling your friends and family, following and engaging with Santa Monica businesses on social media, giving them a shoutout, and signing up for their newsletter.

As an important member of our community, we invite and encourage you to join the City of Santa Monica and Buy Local Santa Monica Committee in spreading the love for your favorite business this season with neighbors, friends and family on social media. 

Shoutout your favorite local business on social media by posting a photo or recording a quick video and sharing your favorite Santa Monica business(es) to shop for holiday gifts or order takeout. Tag the business, use the hashtag #buylocalsm and #SantaMonicaShines and tag @CityofSantaMonica and @buylocalsm for a chance to be featured.

Many of our businesses offer curbside and online options too! For ideas on a list of unique Santa Monica gifts, visit: buylocalsantamonica.com/gifts2020 and santamonica.com/holiday-specials. For the latest information on businesses including hours and their website, view the Santa Monica “Open for Business” map. For restaurants offering takeout and delivery, visit santamonica.com/santa-monica-restaurants-offering-takeout-delivery. 

Below are some tips to record a video for social media:

Remember to wear a face covering, stay 6 feet apart, and only with household members when you visit Santa Monica businesses. Thank you in advance for your participation and continued support of our local businesses and our community!

Authored By

Jennifer Taylor
Economic Development Manager