PICO NEIGHBORHOOD — This Saturday, Nov. 30, Pico Boulevard celebrates two events, Small Business Saturday and the Pico Holiday Art Walk. Shop small while supporting local artists, too.
Presented by the Pico Improvement Organization and Buy Local Santa Monica, a festive day is planned. The Overland Street Quartet performs with shops opening their doors; some will put on events with live music, refreshments, while others will offer special discounts and happy hours.
Small Business Saturday is a national campaign initiated by American Express to help promote mom-and-pop shops, said Jason Harris, economic development manager for City Hall and representative for Buy Local Santa Monica.
"The holidays are an extremely important time for local businesses to have a productive sales period during a generally slow sales time in the year and as we all know that supporting our local businesses helps generate taxes to support critical city services, our local schools and maintains business services where we live," Harris said.
Kronovet Realty Company is one of the many businesses participating in the Small Business Saturday event. Stop in and say hi to Santa Claus, who will be meeting with children and taking photos.
"Merchants between 28th Street and Centinela Avenue will have their holiday smiles on as residents can enjoy Santa Claus, music, food, drink and very friendly folks," Kronovet said.
Lares Restaurant will also be participating in the event. Located on Pico Boulevard for the past 45 years, art has always been a part of the restaurant.
"We enjoy being part of community events," said Martha Lares-Huerta, the morning shift manager. "We have participated in the past, but at Lares, almost everyday is an art walk, as we frequently change the art work."
The Blue 7 Gallery's owner, Randy Ball, has been involved with the Art Walk since it started four years ago. The gallery will hold an opening reception for a new exhibition entitled "An Artistic View of Tools." A contest to identify certain tools will offer prizes to viewers with right answers.
Pick up flyers at both Blue 7 Gallery and Kronovet Realty on the day of the event. Flyers will list all the shops involved in the art walk and when they will be open. Some businesses will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Others will offer events that will run from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information about the Pico Holiday Art Walk, visit picopassport.com.
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