News Update
Eat, Shop, and Be Merry
Take a stroll downtown and enjoy all the wintry, whimsical wonder that is on display. From Shop Late Thursdays to the popular Hot Cocoa Crawl, downtown merchants have plenty to offer for a festive shopping experience.
Shop Late Thursdays & Santa Visits
Dozens of shops in the district will be open until 8:00pm (or later) on Thursday nights this holiday season. Grab a bite to eat, catch a movie, or toast the holidays with co-workers and then get a little holiday shopping done afterwards! Plus, look for Santa to be out and about visiting the shops from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
View a list of participating businesses and interactive map:
www.DowntownAlameda.com/holidays/#shop
Holiday Window Contest
Businesses have teamed up with local artists to create festive holiday displays. Bundle up the kids, buy a warm beverage, ice cream or fro yo and take a stroll to enjoy the wonderful sights. Vote for your favorites and help artists win cash and prizes from sponsors Digifli and Flax Art & Design. Pick up a ballot at your favorite window and drop it in Santa’s Mailbox in front of the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex. Voting ends on December 17.
View a list of participating businesses and interactive map:
www.DowntownAlameda.com/holidays/#windows
Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony & Hot Cocoa Crawl
Join Mayor Trish Spencer and Santa when they light the official island holiday tree on December 8 at City Hall. Enjoy live performances beginning at 4:30pm and meet the big guy himself. Right after the tree lighting ceremony, do the Hot Cocoa Crawl with family and friends and vote on your favorite downtown holiday window. Many of the businesses in the district will have special treats and activities.
View a list of participating businesses and interactive map:
www.DowntownAlameda.com/holidays/#cocoa
Free Holiday Parking
To make shopping downtown easier, the parking meters in the downtown district and the Civic Center Garage are FREE on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of the year.
Oh, what fun it is in Downtown Alameda this holiday season! To learn more about the holiday happenings, go to www.DowntownAlameda.com/Holidays.
Free Holiday Parking
As in years past, the City of Alameda will be providing free holiday parking for customers on all Saturdays between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Keep in the mind, the 2-hour limit will still be enforced so that others can share in the gift.
The 2018 Park Free Saturdays are:
November 24
December 1
December 8
December 15
December 22
December 29
Shop Local in Downtown Alameda
From Small Business Saturday to the popular Hot Cocoa Crawl, downtown merchants have plenty to offer for a festive holiday shopping experience. Let the merchants in Downtown Alameda help you find unique gifts, jewelry, clothing, toys, books, and much more!
Kick off the holiday season in Downtown Alameda on Small Business Saturday. Celebrate and support small businesses by shopping and dining locally on Saturday, November 24. Small business owners are getting into the spirit with special offers, free treats, and other activities.
And to make shopping downtown easier, the parking meters will be FREE all day on every Saturday through the end of the year.
Here are just a few examples of the happenings on Small Business Saturday: Read More
Welcome, Aviva!
Aviva Kellman, Membership & Events
We have a new full-time Membership & Events Coordinator. Aviva Kellman will not only be working on events and promotions, but she is looking forward to getting to know our members!
Aviva joins the Downtown Alameda Business Association with over 10 years of varied professional experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Aviva is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley, with a degree in French Language studies. She studied in Avignon, France and enjoys tutoring French in her spare time.
A resident of Alameda for 12 years, and a Bay Area native, Aviva has a true love of this city and its surroundings. In her role as Membership & Events Coordinator, she looks forward to working to create relationships with businesses and our local community.
During her time off, you can find Aviva cooking, playing weekly team trivia, or sharing her expertise with new parents as a doula.
Donations Needed
Members of the Downtown Alameda Business Association are supporting two wonderful charities this month. You can help too!
The following items may be dropped off at The Sewing Room at 2434 Webb Ave on November 12, 13 & 14, 3:30 – 5:30pm.
Alameda County Food Bank — Non-perishable food items.
Love Never Fails — Women’s coats/jackets, business attire for their “Career Closet,” shoes, accessories, new makeup, home décor, kitchen items, books, games, and unwrapped gifts for women and children.