With immense gratitude and hope | Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

Christine Davis
Executive Director
Carlsbad Village Association

It sounds so simple. A new year is upon us, so naturally it’s time to think about all the things we are thankful for and what we will do better in the coming year. This past year – 2021 – has been one where gratitude has been a daily theme for the Carlsbad Village Association (CVA.) As we continue to try to get on the other side of the pandemic, those of us in the retail and restaurant industry, and those of us who own or operate a small business downtown, are continually aware of how recent it was that our world was turned completely upside down. And while things are improving, we are now faced with new challenges and are still struggling to get back to some sort of normalcy.

As the Executive Director of the Carlsbad Village Association, I would like to share with you some of the key players who are helping keep downtown Carlsbad strong and moving forward, and for whom I am grateful every day:

CVA’s all-volunteer Board of Directors for incredible support, insight, and willingness to serve others.
CVA’s newest staff members, Tish Gehringer, Program Director, and Jodi Cole, Event Coordinator, for caring so deeply for Carlsbad Village and the people who live, work and play here.
CVA’s members for their support and commitment to making Carlsbad Village strong and resilient and, above all, special.
The City of Carlsbad staff for continuing to collaborate with CVA on important Village projects and keeping the downtown at the forefront of their discussions, goals and plans.
The Carlsbad City Council for continually re-examining the Village and Barrio to make regular improvements and not settling for less-than-ideal solutions.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and Visit Carlsbad for continuing to join forces with CVA to help all of us have a more impactful outcome.
The residents of Carlsbad for regularly supporting the small businesses downtown and truly believing in the “Shop Small” movement.
The Farmers’ Market for being such a strong and enduring event in Carlsbad Village that has supported hundreds of small businesses, solopreneurs and families for nearly three decades.
And last, but certainly, not least, the small business owners, managers and staff in Carlsbad Village who bring an energy and enthusiasm to downtown every single day. Their passion for their craft, the way they care for their employees and fellow team members, the service they provide their customers which makes them come back again and again – it is all so inspiring.

This new year brings with it a tremendous desire to perfect and strengthen all that is going well. With so much change over the course of the last two years, we think it’s time to hunker down and take the best that CVA has to offer and make it even better. To that end CVA is excited to be bringing back many of its enduring events and programs and making them even better. While CVA has 12 full months of programing planned, offering over 80 events, we would like to highlight just three to get the year started right!

Village Voices business and resident meetings – Since 2015, Village Voices has been championing economic prosperity and quality of life for Carlsbad Village by being the voice of businesses and promoting collaboration to help the business community grow. Meetings are held every other month with its first in-person meeting of the year in the beautiful outdoor courtyard of the Village Faire Shopping Center January 11th. January’s guest speaker will be Kim Sidoriak, the new President & CEO of Visit Carlsbad.

The State Street Farmers’ Market is heading into its 28th year of providing certified organic produce and local, farm fresh goods and artisan foods every Wednesday starting at 2:30pm. With over 50 vendors, all of whom are small businesses, sharing their passion for exquisite and exceptional food, this downtown market is the place to be every week.

This March, CVA is hosting its second annual Open House, and everyone is invited! Come learn how CVA is supporting small businesses downtown and is working daily to make Carlsbad Village the premier destination in North County San Diego.

For information on the Carlsbad Village Association, it’s Volunteer Ambassador Program, or how you can be part of the small business movement in downtown Carlsbad, visit us online at www.carlsbad-village.com.