Category Archives: San Marcos Chamber of Commerce

San Marcos Farmers HOLIDAY MARKET on Sunday, December 6th from 10am – 4pm

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Join us for a special San Marcos Farmers HOLIDAY MARKET on Sunday, December 6th from 10am – 4pm in the beautiful North City development. 

Get a jumpstart on your holiday shopping in our open-air market which will feature local artisans and crafters, holiday gifts & decorations, pre-packaged foods and treats, a variety of delicious hot food, and live music! 251 North City Drive, San Marcos. 

Face masks and social distancing required for a safe and enjoyable shopping experience.

For additional information please contact Melanie Jamil at the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, 760-744-1270 or melanie@sanmarcoschamber.com

Shop small this holiday season to make a big impact in your community

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Small businesses are the heart of a city’s character and vibe. That’s why this season’s Small Business Saturday, happening Nov. 28, is more important than ever.

It’s no surprise that small businesses have been hit particularly hard throughout the pandemic. San Marcos residents are encouraged to show their support by shopping local on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season. Mayor Rebecca Jones announced the City of San Marcos’ participation in the 11th annual national effort to support the independent businesses that make our community unique and provide valuable contributions to the local economy.

“When you treat your loved ones to a special present or gift certificate from our local businesses, you’re truly investing in our community and helping our small businesses thrive,” Jones said. “That’s something we can all feel great about this holiday season.”

Created in 2010, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the United States. An average of two-thirds of every dollar ($0.67) spent at a small business in the U.S. stays in the local community, according to the 2018 Small Business Economic Impact Study by American Express. That means consumer’s local impact during the important holiday shopping season could be significant.

“During this pandemic, I’m amazed and energized by the passion and creativity of business owners to continue to do business in the face of unparalleled adversity,” said Rick Rungaitis, CEO of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. “Now, more than ever, it’s critical for the community to support our local businesses. This holiday season, think of supporting them by shopping locally.” 

In 2019, 800+ mayors and city officials joined together to support Small Business Saturday. Highlights include:

  • U.S. shoppers who visited independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reported spending a record high of an estimated $19.6 billion.
  • Seven in ten American adults reported being aware of the day.
  • 96 percent of respondents who shopped on Small Business Saturday agree that shopping at small, independently owned businesses supports their commitment to making purchases that have a positive social, economic, and environmental impact.
  • 97 percent of consumers who shopped on Small Business Saturday agree that small businesses are essential to their community.
  • 95 percent of consumers who shopped on Small Business Saturday reported the day makes them want to shop or eat at small, independently owned businesses all year long, not just during the holiday season.

Learn more about Small Business Saturday and the Shop Small initiative here.

Sign up for San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum San Marcos Unified School Board

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Sign up for
San Marcos Chamber of Commerce
Candidate Forum San Marcos Unified School Board 10 7 2020 via zoom
Name: Candidate Forum San Marcos Unified School Board 10.7.2020
Date: October 7, 2020
Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM PDT
Event Description:

San Marcos Unified School Board Candidate Forum

The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Virtual Candidate Forum for San Marcos Unified School Board Candidates on Wednesday, October 7th from 5:00 – 6:30 PM.

This free event provides a forum that gives voters the opportunity to meet each of the attending candidates running for School Board, and learn about their positions on various school-related topics.

Voters in San Marcos Unified School District will vote for one trustee for each of the three areas.

  • Area A Candidates Joseph Lai, LeeAnne Leon, Jay Ross, and Carlos Ulloa
  • Area B Candidates Sarah Ahmad, Brian Epperson, and Pamela Lindamood
  • Area C Candidates Jamie Chamberlin and Victor Graham

All candidates with the exception of LeeAnne Leon have confirmed their attendance.

Questions for the candidates must be sent in advance to Rick@sanmarcoschamber.com, and received by September 30th. Questions that will be asked during the candidate forum will be selected by the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Submit your questions – The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a SMUSD Board Candidate Forum

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The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Candidate Forum for the San Marcos Unified School District Governing Board candidates on Wednesday, October 7 from 5:00-6:30 pm. All candidates were invited to attend. The event is to be held via Zoom Webinars and is open to the public.
This is your opportunity to have your voice heard. The survey below allows you to submit a question or questions to be asked of the candidates. The Chamber’s Board of Directors will vote on all the submissions and the top three (3) questions will be asked of all the candidates. The candidates will receive the questions within 72 hours of the event.
Thank you for participating in this important election. The San Marcos Chamber is proud to facilitate this Forum for our members and the community. Please visit our website for information on the Chamber and to register for this event. The Forum will also be live-streamed on Facebook Live. http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ehbl3wn4kffw5c17/a011mkfh8jpep/greeting

The San Marcos Farmers Market Tuesdays, 3PM-7PM, North City Drive San Marcos

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Join us every Tuesday between 3-7 pm at our beautiful open-air Market which features a collection of amazing vendors offering local fresh fruits & vegetables, baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, local honey, bread, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, yogurt, Kombucha, artisan packaged foods, and specialty prepared hot foods. We are excited to announce that J.R. Organics Farm is part of the weekly lineup offering an arrangement of fresh, nutritious, organic produce. Not only do we offer a safe and enjoyable shopping experience, we also have a different live performance every week located right outside of Newtopia Cyder.

The market serves the community year-round and is conveniently located in North City, 251 North City Drive, off Hwy 78 and Twin Oaks Valley Road – right near CSUSM.

Facial coverings required.

The San Marcos Farmers Market is proud to support local farmers and small businesses.

www.sanmarcosfarmersmarket.org 

SAN MARCOS FARMERS MARKET NEW LOCATION – NEW VENUE

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The San Marcos Certified Farmers Market re-establishes operations on Tuesday, June 30, in a new location and new venue – North City San Marcos. 

The beautiful open-air Market will feature a collection of amazing vendors offering local fresh fruits & vegetables, baked goods, fresh-cut flowers, local honey, bread, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, yogurt, Kombucha, artisan packaged foods, and specialty prepared hot foods. We are excited to announce that J.R. Organics Farm will be joining the lineup with a wide arrangement of fresh, nutritious, organic produce. 

The market will serve the community year-round, Tuesdays, 3 PM to 7 PM, spring and summer, and  3 PM – 6 PM, fall, and winter. The new North City location is conveniently located at 251 North City Drive, off Hwy 78, and Twin Oaks Valley Road. 

To maintain social distancing protocol and follow County health guidelines, the market will be monitoring the number of people allowed inside the market at one time and monitoring to make sure that shoppers adhere to social distancing rules. Facial coverings required. We will be the safest, tastiest grocery shopping in town!

The San Marcos Farmers Market is proud to support local farmers and small businesses.

For more information please contact San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Event Director Melanie Jamil 760-744-1270 or melanie@sanmarcoschamber.com

City of San Marcos eases rules to allow businesses to temporarily expand outdoor uses

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Some restaurant, retail and other activities now allowed in parking lots, sidewalk patios.

The City of San Marcos is here to support businesses through COVID-19 as they gradually reopen under the State’s orders.

With new social distancing requirements, many businesses want to move some activities outdoors. In response, the City has temporarily changed our rules regarding outdoor uses and is now allowing restaurants, retail and other activities in parking lots, as well as sidewalk patios in some cases. This can be done with a fast, easy, no-cost permit process.

We’ve also changed our regulations to allow some signage without permits and an array of additional changes to help businesses and community organizations.

The temporary modifications to the San Marcos Municipal Code include:

  • Drive-thru or Designated Curbside Pickup: Temporary Outdoor Business Permit Required. Businesses will be allowed to designate their customer parking spaces for curbside pickup. This will be permitted in commercial centers and other locations provided that businesses work with neighbors and property management companies to minimize conflicts. ADA stalls and fire lanes may not be used for this purpose. The City may require operational changes or disallow drive-thru or curbside pickup based on complaints and/ or traffic or other health/safety or applicable regulatory compliance issues. The number of spaces used would be decided by the business owner in terms what works for their business provided it does not exceed the number spaces allocated for their suite.
  • Signage: No permit required for on-site temporary banner signs of prescribed sizes. No new permanent signage or off-site signage is permitted. Business owners must coordinate with property management regarding site specific sign restrictions.
  • Outdoor Dining: Outdoor dining will be permitted in various locations provided that ADA access, ingress/egress requirements and other health and safety requirements can be met and that existing occupancy is not exceeded.
    • Public right of way or private sidewalks. Special Event Permits and other permits may be required (Right of Way, Encroachment, Traffic Control).This applies only in University District/ North City and along non-arterial roads only. This may include street closures with appropriate plans and permits.
    • Private parking lots. Temporary Outdoor Business Permit Required. Applicable to certain location types with required timeframes to be determined (i.e., sites with shared uses such as breweries in industrial areas may have staggered hours to avoid conflicts). Individual approvals required. Other permits may be required in some cases (Special Event Permit, Right of Way, Encroachment, Traffic Control).
  • To-go and On-Site Outdoor Consumption of Alcohol: Allows for consistency with the Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) Notices that provide that bona fide eating places (i.e. restaurants) selling beer, wine and pre-mixed drinks or cocktails for consumption on the premises pursuant to an ABC license, may sell alcohol for off premise consumption in conjunction with meals prepared for pickup or delivery. These businesses may also allow on-site outdoor alcohol consumption with appropriate permits as outlined above (see “outdoor dining”). This modification is effective only for the duration of the ABC notices.
  • Personal Services (Instructional/ Fitness): Temporary Outdoor Business Permit Required. When public health orders permit such uses, would allow for instructional/fitness facilities to deviate from their Conditional Use Permit or Director’s Permit conditions and allow for outdoor activities on site in a parking lot or other open area. Allows for indoor activities provided safe reopening and any other safety requirements are followed.
  • Retail Businesses: Temporary Outdoor Business Permit Required. Allows for all retail sales businesses to open with interior sales under safe reopening plans. Allow for curbside pickup if desired by business. Also allows businesses to designate their customer parking spaces for curbside pickup. The number of spaces would be decided by business owner in terms what works for their business, provided it does not exceed the number spaces allocated for their suite. Allows for outdoor sales in parking lot if desired by business.
  • Home Occupation: Temporary Outdoor Business Permit Required. Allows for on-site customers, employees, and stock in trade on site at home occupations.
  • Group Assembly: Temporary Outdoor Business Permit Required. When public health orders permit such uses, would allow for assemblies in and outdoors in various locations provided that ADA access, ingress/egress requirements and other health and safety requirements can be met. Requires individual plan approval. Other permits may be required (Special Event Permit, Right of Way, Encroachment, Traffic Control).
  • Retail Expansion in Industrial Buildings: No permit required. Allows for an expansion of retail uses from 10% up to 50% of building square footage within buildings or on sites zoned as Industrial. Retail sales must be for the sale of a product(s) produced on site.

These provisions apply throughout the Stay at Home order. They are only applicable as allowed under the State or County public health orders in effect at the time.

Learn more

For more information, contact Economic Development Director Tess Sangster at (760) 744-1050, ext. 3120 or tsangster@san-marcos.net.

Stay informed

Visit the City’s COVID-19 Response webpage for information about City’s response to COVID-19 at www.san-marcos.net/covid19.

Discover Our Recovery Business Safety Promise

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At the City of San Marcos, the health and safety of our community is our top priority. The COVID-19 crisis is impacting everyone in San Marcos, including our local businesses that are currently open or preparing to reopen when public health guidelines allow.
The City is happy to support and assist with the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce’s Discover Our Recovery Business Safety Promise. The Chamber’s program is designed to help business owners communicate their commitment to following all public health orders and guidelines from the State of California, the County of San Diego, the City of San Marcos and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help protect their employees, customers and the community.
Business owners that make the Discover Our Recovery Business Safety Promise below can display the decal in their windows to let customers know that the businesses has committed to take all the County’s recommended precautions to help provide a safe environment.
Let’s help our community move forward safely together.

Make the Promise and Download the Toolkit

You can learn more about the program, make the Promise and download a multimedia toolkit on the Chamber’s website here. By downloading the toolkit and/or using the graphics, you are promising to follow the guidelines.
Window decals for businesses that make the Promise will be available soon! Please stay tuned for details.

Stay Updated

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the City’s COVID-19 Response webpage: www.san-marcos.net/covid19.

San Marcos Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Breweries and Wineries Open for Business

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As a resource for the San Diego County community, we compiled a list of San Marcos restaurants, breweries, and wineries open for pick-up or drive-thru orders. The list also includes grocery stores, with information about special hours for senior citizens. See the list at www.san-marcos.net/businesses.
We’d love it if you could help us spread the word about this resource! We’re asking folks to help us keep the list continuously updated by emailing Economic Development Director Tess Sangster at TSangster@san-marcos.net.

See which San Marcos businesses are open for take-out and/or drive-thru orders

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At the City of San Marcos, the health and safety of our community is our top priority. For real-time updates about the City’s response to COVID-19, visit www.san-marcos.net/covid19.

To help keep residents informed and to support our business community, we created a webpage that lists business in San Marcos that are currently open for take-out and/or drive-thru orders.

Click here to see which businesses are open.

Please call ahead to verify before you visit.

If you would like to add a business to the list, please email Tess Sangster.

For a list of resources available to businesses, please click here.

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