In January, we celebrated the 40th Annual OBMA Awards Ceremony, recoginzing local businesses for their outstanding acheivements and community involvement. OB Paint & Hardware recieved a "Passing the Torch" award, along with heartfelt thanks for their 50 years doing business in Ocean Beach. New local owners stepped up to keep the 100-year old business open. At the Annual Marketing Breakfast hosted at the OB Playhouse, we heard from the City of San Diego’s Storefront Improvement Program, learned about CDC Low Interest Business Loans, discussed marketing trends and reviewed the Marketing Planning Guide from Brown Marketing Strategies. Also in January, a huge winter storm destroyed the railings on the OB Pier, causing it to be closed for several months for repairs.
In February, we helped promote the Beachtown Throwdown, a friendly competition among local breweries to determine who had the the best West-Coast IPA. Modern Times, OB Brewery, Amplified Ale Works, Pizza Port Brewing, and Bay City Brewing Co. participated in a blind tasting competition, with the public voting for the favorite! A great Sundowner Networking Event to bring local business owners and managers together was held at the OB Arcade Mall, hosted by Seth's Chop Shop, Your Mama's Mug, The Secret Escape Room, Reset Float Therapy, The Philosophers Stone, XP Virtual Reality, Olive Branch Chiropractic, and Heal Thy Goddess.
March found us hard at work producing the 2019-2020 edition of the OB Local Business Directory, a free community resource guide delivered to 13,000 local homes. The March Sundowner was hosted by the OB Garden Cafe, with much fun had by all as we sampled their amazing vegan cuisine. The first in a series of Social Media Workshops was hosted by the "OB Tech Collective," a group of local social media marketing consultants sharing their expertise in Social Media platforms with our members.
In April, the OB Pier Parking Lot Police Trailer was removed after 20 years of service. The 2019 OB Shop & Dine Card was launched, a multiple-use discount card that allows users to get get deals and raises money for community clean-up programs. The Sundowner event was hosted by OB BizMap at Culture Bewing, with a fun interactive treasure hunt for attendees.
May brought the re-opening of the Ocean Beach pier, which was eagerly anticipated by the entire community. Thank you to Mayor Faulconer for getting the pier repair completed on time and under budget!
In June, the OBMA organized and hosted the 40th Annual OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-off, an amazing free event with music, arts, vendors and entertainment! Mad Munch Cheezers opened a storefront on Newport Avenue after growing a successful business from their booth at the OB Farmers Market.
July 4th was another great celebration in Ocean Beach with the Annual Fireworks Show from the OB Pier. Long time local eatery The Village Kitchen closed it's doors after 32 years on Newport Ave., the new three-story bar & restaurant The Holding Company opened with live music and views over the water, and a mini-Target opened in the former location of the Newport Avenue Antique Mall. A wonderful Sundowner networking event was hosted by EcoLux Interiors at a private residence along Sunset Cliffs.
