In January, the La Jolla Village Merchants Association kicked off the new year by relaunching successful promotional efforts like the Business4Breakfast program and Enjoya La Jolla Saturday night community events.

The merchant board also announced winners of its 2019 Village Holiday Decor Contest. First place went to Sigi’s Boutique at 7888 Girard Ave.

“Sigi’s used 4,000 pieces of candy in their display,” said LJVMA Executive Director Jodi Rudick. “It was absolutely phenomenal.”

Rudick said second place went to Cody’s La Jolla at 1025 Prospect St., Suite 210, whose interior, “was turned into a winter wonderland.”

Noting that great strides are being made on improving LJVMA’s social media presence, Rudick added new ideas are also being entertained for promoting Village businesses, including building the number of followers on Instagram.

“We’re also planning an adventure with a scavenger hunt,” added Rudick.

The LJVMA executive director added that it’s becoming increasingly important for merchants to capitalize on new and recurring community signature events. Board president Brett Murphy agreed.

“What we need to do as a community is figure out what we need to do to make sure people come into our Village during times like Fourth of July weekend and spend money at our shops and restaurants while waiting for the fireworks to go off,” he said.

“We also want to support the [returning Scripps Park] summer concert series,” noted Rudick.

IN OTHER ACTION 

LJVMA board voted unanimously voted to start meeting times an hour later at 4 p.m. every second Wednesday, which was determined to be a better time for both merchants and residents to attend board meetings.

There will be four Business4Breakfast meetings in 2020 on the third Tuesday of the month from 8-9:30 a.m. at designated locations. The first breakfast Feb. 18 is titled “Profitable Partnerships.” March 17 will be a tourism update. The April 21 breakfast will involve a commercial real estate update. The final meeting on May 19 will likely focus on what’s hot this summer.

Enjoya La Jolla in 2020 will be held during a new time, noon-3 p.m., and will be scheduled more flexibly, so as to take advantage of community signature events like the Concours D’Elegance classic car show in spring. 

LJVMA board will next meet Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 4 p.m., at La Jolla Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. For more information, visit lajollabythesea.com.