The COVID crisis shook the world and our downtown Encinitas community was not immune to that damage.  Small businesses were in danger of closing for good with mandatory quarantines and business shutdowns.  It was an uncertain 2020 year but our organization stood firmly behind the downtown businesses by keeping them informed of small business grants, loans and other crucial resources.  In times of crisis, the Encinitas community stepped up to help each other through this difficult time.  Our response to COVID is still ongoing and comprehensive.

Here’s a list of some of the actions we’ve taken on our road to recovery:

• As COVID news broke, the 101 Mainstreets came together to create a fundraiser for local small businesses, called the Encinitas Support Fund.  With the help of the Harbaugh Foundation, we raised over $110,000 and distributed checks to 66 businesses in Encinitas.
• Advocated an Emergency Moratorium on Commercial Evictions with the City of Encinitas to protect businesses from evictions while they were forced to close their doors and miss months of income.  E101 also sent letters to downtown landlords to ask for rent relief.
• E101 continues to send merchant focused newsletters with information that is helpful for business owners, including information for local small business grants/loans.  Updates via Employment Development Department website and the City of Encinitas.
• E101 regularly collects information from businesses on new hours, take out/delivery opportunities, online shopping opportunities, etc. to share in our community newsletter that reaches over 5,000 people.
• Meet regularly with the Business Improvement Development Committee (made up of all the business association leaders in the SD County) to brainstorm how to best support small businesses.
• Most recently, E101 staff worked with city staff on the Shared Streets Pilot Program to utilize County grant money to create outdoor dining solutions for our downtown restaurants. We will continue to oversee the development and improvement of this project.
• Currently, still working with restaurants on getting all the necessary permits to expand outside to sidewalks and parking spaces.
• Taking all requests to post on our social media – With business regulations changing so frequently, we like to keep the community informed on the most up to date info.
• Sending messaging out to our community about ways to continue to support local rather than big box.  Small Business Saturday 2020 is a collective event that the 101 Mainstreets and the Chamber of Commerce will be promoting collectively to emphasize local spending this year! E101 encourages the community to support by purchasing gift cards, ordering take out/delivery, shopping small online and supporting the business owner’s hard decision to close their doors.
• Continuing to modify our events like the Taste of Encinitas to highlight our downtown businesses while adhering to all safety precautions.

A non-profit corporation, Encinitas 101 MainStreet’s mission is historic preservation and renewal of downtown Encinitas. It is part of a national association of MainStreet Cities.

MainStreet is a revitalization strategy used in over 1,200 cities and 40 states. Developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National MainStreet Center, the program encourages imaginative use of business and government resources to support local downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization efforts.

In 2013, Encinitas 101 MainStreet and its hundreds of current and past members celebrated its 25-year anniversary of revitalizing, restoring and promoting downtown Encinitas.

An executive director acts as primary spokesperson, liaison to the city, and, with the help of staff members:

• manages the programs
• coordinates volunteers
• assist swith program implementation

Staff members, including the executive director, report to the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors implements the programs to effect positive change in the coastal corridor of Encinitas.  The Board is primarily made up of business and property owners from the community and guides policy, funding, and planning for Encinitas 101’s activities.

Main Street revitalization efforts include:

• business development
• property development
• coordination of promotional events
• Development of promotional materials

The Board of Directors includes a variety of representatives from the community, primarily made up of business and property owners. The Board guides policy, funding, and planning for Encinitas 101’s activities.

We welcome business owners and residents to join our organization, volunteer at our community-focused events or just enjoy everything that is one of the last old-style California beach towns.