1978:
The Ocean Beach Merchants Association begins with 25 paid members.

1981:
The merchants held the first celebration (Street Fair) to raise money for the 4th of July Fireworks Show.

1984:
The first (large-scale) Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair, Chili Cook-off and Fireworks Festival took place in June.

1985:
Ocean Beach Merchants' Association applied for first CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Grant and were awarded $100,000.00. The OBMA enlisted Local architects for the project.

1986:
Cal Poly Architecture students chose Ocean Beach to conduct studies.
The OBMA Executive Committee was formed, applied for CDBG Grant and was Awarded $200,000.00 for revitalization effort.

1987:
Interviewed over 30 firms and hired Rob Quigley, AIA as a lead consultant for Ocean Beach design, economic, and traffic studies.

1988:
The studies concluded and implementation began:

• Facade rebate Program
• Business Improvement District (BID) surveys
• PCOZ (Pedestrian Commercial Overlay Zone)
• Marketing/Public Relations campaign
• Hired staff for public relations and graphic artist
• Developed new logo, concentrated on image
• Hired Nolte & Associates to produce working drawings for public improvements
• CDBG awarded $535,000.00

1989:
Nolte & Associates complete public improvement drawings. City departments review drawings. Planters were built around existing palm trees to enhance the pedestrian walk way on Newport Ave. City Council voted to establish BID for revitalization area.

1990:
The first phase of the Newport Avenue tile project opened, allowing people to to purchase personally engraved tiles to be placed along the avenue.

1993:
The San Diego City Commission of Arts & Culture hired an artist, resulted in murals and sculptures at entry to Pier parking lot. The following projects were designed and funded:

• Town Square
• Veterans' Plaza
• O.B. Directional Signs.

Gary Weber was retained as a consultant. Started Farmer's Market on Newport Avenue.

1994:
The White Light Project began, incorporating small white lights into the majority of merchant's storefronts.

1995:
Hired an Executive Director, Gerrie Trussell.
Focused on previously started projects.
Participated in the establishment of the Business Improvement District Council (BIDC).

1996:
Sent out RFPs and hired Keyser Marston Associates to perform marketing and intercept surveys, looking for our niche.
Promotion campaign expanded.
Signs and stencils stating "No Skateboarding/No Bikes" placed on Newport Ave.

1997:
Designated as a National Main Street Program.
Kent Burnes hosted a 3 day "Community Tour."
CDC performed a business assistance walk about.
Nine Ocean Beach Logo Directional Signs were installed. Veterans' Memorial Plaza was constructed and dedicated.
Revamped 18 year annual Street Fair. Won the distinguished title of "Best Place to Watch a Sunset."

1998:
Trademarked the title of "Ocean Beach Street Fair, Chili Cook-off and Fireworks Festival" as well as the "Ocean Beach Farmer's Market."
Filed a name change from Ocean Beach Merchant's Association to become the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association.
An office was leased and the Executive Director became a full time position.

1999:
Re-opened the Newport Avenue Tile Project.
Hosted a Town Meeting at the Ocean Beach Elementary School.

2000:
Went to the city and fought for LMD (Landscape Maintenance District) contract and won.
Police Trailer established in the Pier Parking Lot.
More tiles placed on Newport Avenue.
OceanBeachSanDiego.com became the official OBMA Web site.

2001:
Meetings began for major public improvement project to improve the walkability of the Ocean Beach Business Improvement District.
Project to eventually include tree plantings, ADA compliance, planter box upgrades, decorative crosswalks. Hosted the first Party on the Pier and the first Antiques on the Avenue.
OB Farmers Market recognized as "Best in the State" by Sunset Magazine.

2002:
Mexican Fan Palms planted throughout the business district, the planter boxes were stained teal, ornamental fencing was later added for ADA compliance.
The OBMA hosted the first "OB Night at the Gulls Game" as a fundraiser.
The OB Farmer's Market celebrated its 10th birthday with a party.
Collaborated with the Hoy Hoy Boys for the first ever Oktoberfest in Ocean Beach, held in Dusty Rhodes Park.

2003:
Additional tree plantings in business district, including in front of OB Elementary School as part of beautification project.
Cafe Seating became a reality for restaurant owners in the business district.
2nd Annual San Diego Oktoberfest was held at Dusty Rhodes Park.
Gerrie Trussell, Executive Director, retires. Hired Denise Knox as new Executive Director.
Produced the OB Locals Business Directory with the OBCDC.
OBMA implemented new accounting system.

2004:
4th Phase of Tile Project finished and installed.
Painted curbs around planters a dark blue color.
Started replacing trash can lids with dark blue lids.
Completely revamped Web site and Web cam overlooking pier.
Celebrated 25th Annual Street Fair, Chili Cook-Off and Fireworks Festival.
Increased trash pick up in commercial district.
Trimmed all the palms along Newport Ave. and the immediate side streets.

2005:
The 5th, 6th phase of the Tile Project finished and installed.
1st phase of the new palm decorations were installed on lamp posts.
Printed 2005-2006 Business Directory with new format and 20,000 copies delivered door to door.
Skinned palms on side streets.
Redesigned navigation and look of our Web site.
Community mural installed at OB Suds.
Hosted 1st OB Jazz Festival in the OB Pier parking lot.
Celebrated the 26th Annual OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off.
Celebrated another year of July 4th Fireworks!

2006:
Co-hosted the District 2 Candidates Debate between Kevin Faulconer and Lorena Gonzalez.
Co-hosted the OB Community Workshop.
OBMA members attended an Economic Development Workshop hosted by the BIDC.
Developed a new marketing slogan and promotional article.
Began limited advertising in the OBMA Newsletter.
Had local artist Kim Howell paint a mural on the facade of the OBMA Office.
Hosted the 27th Annual OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off and the July 4th Fireworks.
Celebrated the 2nd Annual OB Jazz Festival with Jazz 88 in the OB Pier Parking lot.
Replaced all the trash can lids in the business district.
Worked with Surfrider Foundation to provide 23 attractive ash cans along Newport Ave. OBMA agreed to empty the ash cans twice a week.
Held the OBMA Annual Awards Celebration in October at the Pt. Loma Masonic Center.
Again hosted the Holiday Storefront Decorating Contest.
Designed and built the OBMA Xmas float . . . a large version of our upcoming OB Local Business Directory.

2007:
Another banner year for the OBMA.
January & February we delivered the 2007-2008 OB Local Business Directory . . .over 22,000 copies with 15,000 delivered door to door.
We found a new contractor, Bell Tile, to help us with the tile project and completed phase 7.
Established the Email Warning List for our membership.
The Executive Director & President attended the Annual National MainStreet Convention in Seattle.
The OBMA had their annual retreat in Temecula.
The OB Farmers Market had the best year to date.
The OB Street Fair was the most successful to date.
Installed the community Mural installed in the Newport Ave. Antique Center parking lot.
We saw record crowds at Farmers Market, the Street Fair and the 4th of July Fireworks.
Promotion Committee began writing articles about local businesses along with photos for all our publications, website and for press releases.
Completed 7th phase of Tile Project.
Added 5 more silver ash cans to the main street area.
Hosted the 3rd Annual OB Jazz Festival and the 1st Annual OB Oktoberfest in the Pier Parking lot.

2008:
Distributed the last 7,000 OB Local Business Directories.
Published 5,000 OB Street Fair Programs for the first time.
Design Committee, OB Community Foundation and OB Historical Society joined together to start the OB Historical Plaque Project.
Worked with OB Community Foundation to repair damaged stones in the Veteran's Plaza.
Promotion Committee redesigned and upgraded the OBMA Web site and the OBStreetFair.com Web site.
Also redesigned advertising pieces for the 29th Annual OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival which got rave reviews from all.
Hodad's featured on the Food Network and since then, they have had lines out the door.
South Beach Bar & Grill named for the Best Fish Taco on the West coast by Bon Apetite Magazine.
20th Century Fox TV started producing a TV series for CBS called The Ex List. It is filmed in Ocean Beach and they will use our name and Bobby Sorben's logo (the famous one with the seagull) in the many of their scenes.
Priscilla McCoy passed away. She worked on the ER Committee for many years and contributed much time and effort to both the OB Planning Board and the OB Historical Society.
Rich James passed away unexpectedly just before the Street Fair. He was responsible for planning, designing and hanging the OB Murals that are painted at the OB Street Fair each year.
Janis Ambrosiani and Bev Libby stepped up and managed the entire mural event this year.
Hosted Merchant Mixer at Nick's by the Pier.
The Black celebrated 80 years in business.

2009:
Despite a harsh economic climate for San Diego, Ocean Beach did okay.
Reached Phase 12 in the Commemorative Tile Project and completed a massive renovation of missing and broken tiles.
Design Committee installed the first round of Historic Plaques at 7 locations throughout the Business District.
Published and distributed 23,000 copies of the 2009-2010 OB Local Directory.
New Business Improvement District signage installed at the corner of Sunset Cliffs and Newport Ave. on a wall donated by US Bank.
Celebrated the 30th Annual Street Fair and Chili Cook-off and 4th of July Fireworks festival. Janis Ambrosiani headed up the 10th Annual Community Mural during the Street Fair.
OBMA did another complete redesign of the official OBMA Web site and brought the OB Street Fair site under the umbrella of the OBMA site.
Held two merchant mixers hosted by local businesses: ARCHITECTS hanna gabriel wells and the Sunset Cliffs Animal Hospital.
Hosted another successful Awards Celebration and showed another slide show of the year's accomplishments.
Increased holiday decorating efforts by adding 12 new bows to the streets.
Hodad's had another great year of gaining national attention for Ocean Beach. Featured on Diners, Dives, and Drive-ins with Guy Fieri.
OB Paint and Hardware moved their location 2 doors down and celebrated 90 years in business.
'Terriers', a new cop comedy based in Ocean Beach, began filming.