New Sunset Cliffs Merchants Assoc. to Hold Street Fair Sat., Sept.1

Two things are happening in south Ocean Beach in the Sunset Cliffs neighborhood.

First, local businesses and a few residents have just formed the Sunset Cliffs Merchants Association. On its facebook page, the group states:

The Mission of the Sunset Cliffs Merchants Association is to promote and support the Sunset Cliffs Business District, and bring economic prosperity to the local Sunset Cliffs businesses.

And second, the Association is holding a street fair on Saturday, Sept. 1. It will be on the 4700 block of Point Loma Avenue, which will be blocked off.  The street fair will go from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The street will be blocked of from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

But why a merchants’ group in south OB?

Judi Curry, in The Beacon, says those who organized the new group have “long felt that the area is different than the Ocean Beach Merchants Association.” She continues:

For one thing, it is a smaller area, more intimate, and dependent on each other for success. In order for the area to survive and not be taken over by large corporations, they have joined together to maintain local control of the Sunset Cliffs area, and at the same time, to keep the area a success while catering to the needs of the residents in the general area.

This feeling of being different from OB merchants is reflected in the group’s Mission Statement:

The Sunset Cliffs Merchants Association represents the Sunset Cliffs Business District (Sunset Cliffs Boulevard at Point Loma Avenue and the contiguous commercial locations). The businesses in the Sunset Cliffs Merchants association recognize the Sunset Cliffs district as its own district and not part of any other merchants or mainstream associations. … distinctive from the other Peninsula merchants associations.

So, on September 1, the new group will have the 4700 block of Point Loma Ave closed off, and hopes to have at least 100 vendors exhibiting their wares, several food trucks, along with food from Sunny’s, Rosario’s, Sea Trader, Little Lion, Surf Check, a “food eating contest”plus a beer garden, Judi tells us.  And there will be street performers, chalk artists, etc.

The vendors will be the typical ones other street fairs offer from jewelry, artistry, clothing, food, and everything else of the like. Plus some of the local businesses will be exhibiting their wares, such as Sunset Cliffs Pilates and The Inn at Sunset Cliffs.

They also hope to have 5 stages of music. Curry says:

Currently, they are recruiting local talent – music, artist, drama, etc. If you – or your child – plays an instrument; sings; draws, etc. contact the association and get a booth at the fair. You may obtain an application at sunsetcliffsma.com or call 619-987-3629. If you would like to become a member of the SCMA, memberships for people living in the area is available for a small fee.

The newly-formed business group is a 501(c)6 private nonprofit business organization, and states, “operations of the association are conducted by a Board of Sunset Cliffs Business owners and residents.” The merchants and residents, it states, are “committed to creating a vibrant active business district, … for the community of Sunset Cliffs and all the visitors who come to see our great neighborhood.”