ENCINITAS 101’S COVID RESPONSE

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.

WHO WE ARE

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.

Improving Our Downtown

  • E101 facilitates facade grants to help fund facelifts to business storefronts as well as murals.  We continue to work towards the restoration of La Paloma Theatre.

  • E101 conducts Merchant Meetings to hear thoughts & concerns and to discuss solutions and offer education to assist business owners

  • Continue the Alley Activation Program – with lighting and landscaping throughout alley to encourage pedestrian walkability

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.

THE ENCINITAS 101 TEAM

Irene Pyun
Irene PyunExecutive Director
Originally from Los Angeles, Irene moved to La Jolla to attend UCSD where she graduated with a BA in Communications. She has since developed years of experience in Public Relations, Marketing, and Event Planning. Her work experience has always pertained to the non-profit sector, given her desire to focus on community enrichment.

When she’s not working, you can find her volunteering at events from Leucadia 101 or Cardiff 101. She is also the Membership Chair, Board Member and proud Rotarian of Encinitas “Animal House” Rotary Club.

Currently residing in Encinitas, you can usually find her in the water or downtown Encinitas on her beach cruiser. Her dream is to own her very own fishing boat one day and travel the world on it.

Megan Largey
Megan LargeyEvents Coordinator
Originally from Dana Point, Orange County, Megan moved to Oceanside after going to college on the East Coast. She attended the University of Delaware where she played softball and majored in Hospitality Business Management. Since graduating college she has developed a love for travelling the world, having been to 34 countries and five continents! Now home from her big travels, she enjoys event planning and social media marketing.

When she is not working you can find Megan at the beach, hanging with her pup Oliver, at the gym, out trying new local restaurants or cooking up new foods at home ! Currently residing in Oceanside she is often found at the beach, the dog park, exploring the country or just relaxing at home! If she could have one wish, it would be to be able to travel the world with her pup Oliver by her side.

2019 Goals

La Paloma Theater

  • Written commitment on 3 or 4 projects-1 completed project

  • Fundraising agreements and an organizational structure

  • Regular meetings-bimonthly

Tenant Mix

  • Identify Ideal Mix for Downtown

  • Identify conditions to keep tenants

  • Identify elements to get people to come Downtown

Holiday Marketing & Lighting

  • Develop a plan to make Downtown a more festive place, including more lights

  • Design/Repurpose an event that identifies Downtown as a shopping area

Parking & Mobility

  • Identify what Encinitas 101 can have an impact on

  • Partner with the City and join committees

  • Agree on a set of recommendations to the City

  • Identify future trends

  • Research what other cities are doing

Wayfinding

  • Collaboration with the city staff

  • Research what should be signed

  • Identify steps to get Wayfinding

  • Research different types and styles of signs

Community Outreach

  • Partner with CRC (Community Resource Center)

  • Research what can be done to support the “Will Not” segment of the homeless population

  • Partner with law enforcement

  • Training for merchants

  • Identify other Community Partnerships (Interfaith)

Infrastructure Maintenance

  • Host a “Walk-a-bout” Downtown-Photograph the areas of concern

  • Identify a list of repairs

  • Prepare a report for Council

  • Improve the sidewalks