A $50,000 grant from San Diego County may help the La Jolla Village Merchants Association launch promotional merchandise bearing images of marine mammals.
It also could help bolster the group’s technological offerings.
The grant was announced at LJVMA’s April 10 meeting. Acting President Katey Longo called it “incredible” but said there are “some parameters in terms of how to use it.”
A public meeting will be scheduled to brainstorm specifics, but Longo said the money generally will be used to replace banners on area streets, enter a multiyear contract with web developer Vibemap, add to the group’s marketing and social media and create promotional merchandise.
The board has 60 days to use the grant once it is received.
In March, the board agreed to a one-year contract with Vibemap to improve the LJVMA website and make sure event calendars and business listings are up to date by automating the process. Additionally, Vibemap can create maps of businesses according to specific criteria, such as being dog-friendly or having happy hours, and create challenges for users, such as checking in at a certain number of galleries during the First Friday Art Walk for a chance to win a prize.
With the grant, the board will consider a multiyear contract, “which will take so much pressure off of all of us,” said LJVMA Executive Director Jodi Rudick.
Rudick said a plan also is taking shape to use some of the grant money to develop a clothing line featuring seals to provide something for tourists who come to La Jolla to see local wildlife.
“We love the seals and sea lions; they are our Disneyland,” she said. “They are the No. 1 reason people come to La Jolla when it comes to tourists. We never want to do anything to separate La Jolla from the pinnipeds.”
For the past two months, a committee has been working on a logo including an adult seal and a juvenile and the words “The Real Seal-ebrities of La Jolla.” The logo could be printed on shirts and bags and sold by local retailers as promotional items.
Price and rollout plans have not been finalized.
Other LJVMA news
Fashion Week San Diego President Gwen Bates speaks at the La Jolla Village Merchants Association meeting April 10.
(Ashley Mackin-Solomon)
Fashion Week: Ahead of the Posh on Prospect event in May, which will include a runway fashion show at The Living Room Coffeehouse in La Jolla, Fashion Week San Diego President Gwen Bates said she is looking for partnerships with local merchants.
“Your sponsorship and your branding goes everywhere we go throughout the year,” Bates said. “We are trying to get back into the community.”
The event also will feature a swag bag for VIP ticket holders, and merchants are being encouraged to contribute items or promotional fliers. Those who want to contribute can email jodi@lajollabythesea.com.
Bench renewal: Brian Earley, representing Enhance La Jolla as manager of the Maintenance Assessment District for The Village, said the group will be overseeing refurbishment of memorial benches in town.
“We’re going to, within the district, refinish and renew these benches, but not … replace the plaques in the bench,” he said. “Some are looking good; others are dark, blackened and haven’t been taken care of for years.”
He said five benches have been power-washed so far and eventually will be sanded and varnished. Benches will be cordoned off when they are being worked on.
“This is going to be several months and a lot of work,” Earley said. “It won’t be all of them, but those in the district.”
Next meeting: The La Jolla Village Merchants Association next meets at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Learn more at lajollabythesea.com. ◆
