Tag Archives: magnolia park merchants

Planning for this Year’s 31st Annual Holiday In The Park Could Use Your Help

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The most anticipated Burbank event, Holiday in the Park, is just a few weeks away on Friday, November 22nd. The Holiday in the Park committee has been meeting since July to bring Magnolia Park’s event back from another year and raising funds through the use of t-shirt fundraisers, dinner fundraisers, and their go fund me page which you can donate to here: www.gofundme.com/magnoliapark 

File Photo by Ross A Benson)

This will be the 31st annual Holiday in the Park for the district and will take place from 5-9 pm on the Friday before Thanksgiving.  Holiday in the Park stretches down Magnolia Blvd from Hollywood Way to Florence St with an estimation of 35,000 people in attendance this year.  The street will be closed as the previous years, creating an open and safe environment for kids and families. 

Here’s what to find this year at Holiday in the Park:

 

-Santa & Mrs. Claus

-Snow play area 

-Art show

-26 Food trucks

-Dance performances

-Live music

-Classic car show

-Emergency vehicles on display

-Over 50 exhibitors

-Face painting, henna, balloons

-Character & Princess Photo Ops/Photo Booths

-Kids Fun Zone with bounce houses, crafts, bubbles and more

holiday in the park

File Photo by Ross A Benson)

The neighborhoods surrounding Magnolia Park should expect plenty of cars parking in front of their houses and traffic on the east/west corridors to be packed with vehicles.  Guests of the event are encouraged to walk, bike or rideshare to the event to eliminate parking congestion.

As a reminder, Magnolia Blvd. will be closed down from 2 pm to close to 11 pm so please use alternate routes.  

The committee is still booking exhibitors and this year any Burbank business can join! Whether you have a storefront, online business, at home business, non-profit or community organization, Holiday in the Park has a space for you! To register to visit www.holidayintheparkburbank.com

Goodwill Southern California Opens Their Newest Store in Magnolia Park

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Goodwill Southern California had a Grand Opening for their newest retail location in Burbank on the morning of Friday, June 28, 2019. Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy and Vice Mayor Sharon Springer were in attendance for the ribbon-cutting to welcome the store to Burbank as well as representatives from the Los Angeles County Supervisor’s office, Senator Anthony Portantino’s office, and Assemblymember Laura Friedman’s office.

The first 100 shoppers in line received a $10 merchandise voucher and customers were invited to shop a wide selection of great values including 100 free items hidden throughout the store. “We are delighted to open our first store in the City of Burbank,” said Ray Tellez, Goodwill Southern California Vice President of Retail Operations. “We look forward to providing the Burbank community with additional employment opportunities as well as a great location for families to shop and find great deals!”

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Goodwill SoCal is located in the heart of Magnolia Park, taking over the 9200 square foot space that use to be occupied by the American Way Thrift store.  With its fresh bold paint and colorful window signage, Goodwill has turned the building into a vibrant addition to the ever-growing merchant’s district of Magnolia Park and has already shown their commitment to the neighborhood by joining the Magnolia Park Merchants Association.

The Grand Opening aligned with Magnolia Park’s monthly Ladies and Gents Night Out event where over 30 food trucks line the boulevard and stores stay open for late-night shopping. 

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Goodwill SoCal expressed that they will be participating in the event that takes place on the last Friday of the month from January to October, and welcomed hundreds of guests into their store on June 28th.

 

Goodwill SoCal has more than 80 stores in its territory covering Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Ninety-five cents of every dollar generated from sales is dedicated to funding GSC’s mission to prepare and place individuals with disabilities and other vocational challenges in sustainable employment.

Visit Goodwill Southern California at 3226 W Magnolia Blvd. Burbank CA 91505.

Magnolia Park Merchants Hold Ribbon Cutting For The Palm Coffee Bar

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The Magnolia Park Merchants Association welcomed The Palm Coffee Bar into Magnolia Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sunday, March 18, to go along with their grand opening party.

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

The morning consisted of live music, face painting, a phone booth, cupcakes provided by Yummy Cupcakes, coffee samples, and of course a warm welcome from Palm Coffee Bar owners, Joanna Heart and Benjamin Miliken.

The Palm offers specialty coffee from Equator Coffee & Teas, tea from Mighty Leaf Tea and Bakery items from Pitchoun.

On their website, you’ll find out exactly who they are: “We fuel each day on passion. We want to share this feeling with the world, with you, our friends, families, communities, coffee & tea lovers, artists, designers, musicians, and locals. We want you to be part of that world, our life & welcome you into our home away from home. The Palm premises was based on the idea of a feeling… like you are on a vacation even though you may be on your local street. Each day is special, precious and you deserve the best version of it. Start it with a cup of our coffee & paint your day from there.”

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

The Grand Opening celebration brought in families and members of the community, including Councilman Bob Frutos who presented the Miliken’s with a certificate from the City of Burbank as well as an I heart Burbank pin which he pulled right off his lapel.

Association Board Members, Ashley Erikson, Jenny Deahl, Connie Young and Leon Thomas were also in attendance to provide the ribbon cutting ceremony for The Palm Coffee Bar alongside Bob Frutos, Joanna Heart Miliken, Benjamin Miliken, and palm baristas Jordan Iturria and Ben Murray.

The Palm Coffee Bar is located at 2922 W Magnolia Blvd.

Magnolia Park’s Holiday In the Park Tops Recent Years

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Magnolia Blvd was closed and blocked to traffic this year, and the crowd was estimated to be close to Fifteen Thousand people.Holiday in the Park 2016 (© Ross A. Benson)

The new way the Magnolia Park Merchants Association put on this years Holiday In the Park was quite well received by everyone in attendance.

Holiday in the Park 2016 (© Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank City Councilman Bob Frutos who was Mayor last year suggested the City step in and assist the association in closing off Magnolia for safety reasons he was joined by two other Councilmembers. This year the people got to walk in the street, with strollers, pets and had plenty of room to enjoy themselves.

There were events for everyone and 9 blocks filled with displays, Carolers, even a kids zone for the young ones in the family.

Myburbank.com captured several pictures of the festive event.

 

 

Magnolia Park Merchants Plan Fall Events

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Magnolia Park is having an exciting 2016 with new stores, new eateries and all your favorite events.  The Magnolia Park Merchants Association launched their third year as an organization with the City Council approving funding to close Magnolia Blvd. for the annual Holiday in the Park event.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Holiday in the Park has been taking place for over 30 years, but 2016 marks the fourth year the association has run the event.  Holiday in the Park has tripled in size, requiring the street to be closed for pedestrian safety.  The association’s President, Ashley Erikson, and other Board Members, attended a city council meeting earlier this year and asked for financial help from the city.  With the street closure for 2016, the association feels confident that the event will be more enjoyable and absolutely more safe.  Some highlights of the event are photo ops with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, Krampus and other fun characters.  Other popular attractions include a snow play area, food trucks, a dance performance, live music, bounce houses, a car show, carolers, community booths.

Another favorite event, the Magnolia Park Outdoor Movie Night, is back for the third consectuive year.  A sponsorship from YP Los Angeles provided an inflatable screen and pre show entertainment. Classic movies such as Disney/Pixar’s Cars, Back to the Future, and E.T.  are slated to be screened.

The first movie night launches at 7pm on August 19th at the Ume Credit Union parking lot with the CVT Soft Serve Truck, The Grilled Cheese Truck, and The Cousins Maine Lobster Truck.  burbankmom.com will be there helping kids turn cardboard boxes into race cars and Garri Dance studio will be doing a themed dance performance at 7:30pm.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Along with their events, the association had their last Merchant Mixer of the year recently, hosted and sponsored by the Burbank Federal Credit Union.  Councilman Bob Frutos made an appearance and mingled with guests, while the new Magnolia Park tote bags were revealed.

Customers will be able to purchase a bag for $3 at local Magnolia Park stores and their Ladies and Gents Night Out event which occurs on the last Friday of the month.  Money from the bags will help fund Holiday in the Park.  If you would also like to make a straight donation to Holiday in the Park you can visit www.gofundme.com/holidayinthepark.

Magnolia Park is growing and becoming the hot spot to be in Burbank.  For a list of cool stores and events visit their website www.visitmagnoliapark.com

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

 

Magnolia Park’s Holiday in the Park Attracts Thousands

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This past Friday evening dozens of merchants in Magnolia Park opened their doors to thousands of guests and visitors kicking off the holiday season with its annual “Holiday In The Park,” sponsored by the Magnolia Park Merchants Association.

Kids and adults enjoyed five tons of snow in the UMe Credit Union parking lot along with bounce houses and several community groups with displays and hand-outs. There were princesses and additional community displays in the ‘Blast from the Past’ parking lot.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Carolers and performers were walking up and down Magnolia Blvd. singing  and performing while stores were offering popcorn, candy canes, and other foods. Members of Garri Dance Studio performed several shows in the Worship Walk courtyard. Food trucks were on hand in the Chase parking lot for people who had a taste for dinner.

Burbank Vice Mayor Jess Talamantes stopped by Playtime Cloths, Mia and the Dragonfly, and Bell Cottage to present certificates to the winners of the Storefront Decorating Contest.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Located in the Rite Aid parking lot was a vintage car show, with dancers from Red Chair Dance Studio. Across the street Porto’s Bakery was offering free samples of goodies and fresh Pumpkin Latte Coffee.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were located inside UMe Credit Union where families could snap a picture with Santa and crew, while guests could leave with a carmel candy apple from UMe employees.

Here are some additional pictures from the evening from our Chief Photographer Ross A. Benson.

 

 

 

 

Miss Magnolia Uses Social Media And Special Events to Pump Up Magnolia Park

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On any given day, Ashley Erikson can be found in the Magnolia Park district in Burbank. As President of the Magnolia Park Merchants Association, she works tirelessly to promote the eclectic shopping and dining district using social media and creating special events to draw people to the area.

“In 2009 I heard about Magnolia Park, and my mom and I spent four hours walking from Unique Vintage to Buena Vista and back,” Erikson said. “I was so impressed with all the shops that I created a blog stealmagnoliablvd.blogspot.com.”

Ashley Erickson stands in the doorway of Magnolia Park boutique Audrey K. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Ashley Erikson stands in the doorway of Magnolia Park boutique Audrey K. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“I began meeting with owners, finding out their stories, taking pictures and posting their stores online. I started to get noticed by people on the street who read my blog and merchants would contact me and ask me to write about them,” she continued. “It was the blog that really got my foot in the door and helped introduce me to the merchants.”

Erikson started running some of the small businesses’ social media sites in early 2012 and then was asked to help organize the now extremely-popular Ladies Night Out events during the summer of 2012.

“The stores were staying open for the event and trucks were showing up but that was the extent of it. There was no communication between the stores, and the food trucks were starting to get rowdy and fighting for certain parking spots,” Erikson explained.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“I rebranded LNO, created a new poster design, printed store flyers and business cards, created a website and worked with the city to create a smoother and more efficient event with more communication,” she detailed.

“I began holding monthly Ladies Night Out meetings with the merchants where we discussed what was and wasn’t working and the merchants started to mingle and get to know each other and their neighbors better. The meetings soon expanded into Magnolia Park merchants’ meetings, covering everything from Ladies Night Out, Holiday in the Park, theft and the early thoughts of creating an association.”

What started as a very small group of merchants grew into meetings with a regular attendance of 20 to 30 local businesses.

Erikson was then asked to spearhead Holiday in the Park 2013. She created the website and posters. With a small committee and monthly merchants meetings, they were able to raise enough money from the stores and put on a successful community event.

Erikson has used social media very successfully to market Magnolia Park and raise the profile of the area, seeing metrics increase consistently over the past year. The real evidence is in the growth of Magnolia Park over the past year as well, with new shops opening regularly and attendance growing for lunch, dinner, shopping and special events.

She manages the Magnolia Park Facebook page and Instagram account. She also manages and updates the Ladies Night Out website, showcasing the participating stores, trucks, deals and guests at each monthly event. Erikson integrates with other local businesses’ social media platforms for increased Magnolia Park promotion, reaching individual stores’ audiences as well.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Ashley Erikson and Susan Cade go over items inside Encore Nouveau. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“Right now, I am working on a Magnolia Park phone app where people can find special coupons for Ladies Night Out to use at their favorite stores,” said Erikson. The Magnolia Park Merchants Association also has plans for a newsletter featuring weekly events and deals in the area.

Erikson recently coordinated with the Burbank Recycling Center for placement of recycle bins along Magnolia Boulevard.

“Our goal this year is to re-brand the district as a place to live, grow, work, eat, shop, ride your bike and walk your dog,” said Erikson. “It’s a place of community and heart. One of the aspects of our re-branding goals is to turn Magnolia Park into the first green district in Burbank.”

“We started with the recycling cans, and we are also the largest recycling community in Burbank, with a number of resale and refurbished stores. We plan on having reusable cups and shopping bags made so we can encourage our shoppers to join us in conserving resources as well.”

Erikson takes her personal approach to promoting and celebrating Magnolia Park and infuses it in much of what she does. When Luna Vine Wine Bar celebrated their grand opening in February, Erikson was asked to be the event’s featured artist, with a series of photographs of the area lining the walls of the bar.

(Photo By Ross Benson)

Some of Ashley Erikson’s photos decorate Luna Vine Wine Bar for their grand opening. (Photo By Ross Benson)

“Because Magnolia Park is so near and dear to my heart, I wanted people to feel that through the photos,” explained Erikson. “The pictures are moments I have lived, people I have met and the imagery I see when I visit Magnolia Park. Although they are individual photos, the art show was really about the collection as a whole and viewing Magnolia Park through my eyes.”

Erikson’s photos are for sale and will be posted online for people to purchase at ashleyerikson.com in the coming months, she said, adding that she has also made posters listing the Associations’ 24 member stores and placed then in kiosks in the area. She has been hard at work on a new website visitmagnoliapark.com.

“Audrey K has just named me as the face of Audrey K,” said Erikson, whose photos will be used on the boutique’s website.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“I live in the hills of Burbank but I come to Magnolia Park almost everyday, sometimes twice a day,” Erikson said. “I bank in Magnolia park, shop in Magnolia park and take my kids to the doctor in Magnolia Park.”

Another new event in Magnolia Park is Second Saturdays, with some stores staying open late, featuring art and music at their shops.

“We really want to grow Magnolia Park to not just be about Ladies Night Out, but about shopping and dining every night,” Erikson continued. “My goal is to renovate Magnolia Park into a destination that people come from all over to visit.”

Upcoming events planned for Magnolia Park include the Tour for Life pet adoption in conjunction with the Burbank Animal Shelter on May 4 and the inaugural Taste of Magnolia Park, anticipated to bow later this year. Holiday in the Park will return in November and other events such as a car show and movie nights are being discussed.

Magnolia Park Merchants Association Energizes For 2014

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Magnolia Park merchants met Wednesday evening, January 8, to discuss ideas for the continued transformation of the celebrated shopping and dining district and the formation of the Magnolia Park Merchants Association. About 50 shop owners from the area of Magnolia Blvd. and Hollywood Way convened at local cafe Romancing the Bean to discuss their concerns and thoughts for growing the eclectic area’s visibility and offerings.

Magnolia Park merchants and agenda speakers gather to talk about plans for the coming year. (Photo By Ross Benson & Lisa Paredes)

Magnolia Park merchants and agenda speakers gather to talk about plans for the coming year. (Photo By Ross Benson & Lisa Paredes)

Led by Ashley Erikson, who does media relations, social media, advertising and event coordinating for Magnolia Park, the meeting touched on several ideas, including beautifying the walking experience by redoing planters and tree bases, hanging ‘Magnolia Park’ banners along the streets and getting signs put up by the city designating the area’s borders, among other topics. Also known as “Miss Magnolia Park”, Erikson and local real estate agent Bryce DeVincenzi, also known as “Mr. Magnolia Park,” engaged all the attendees, drawing out comments and questions from the shop owners.

Several themed ideas for upcoming Ladies Night Out events, held on the last Friday of every month, were also discussed. Get ready for a scavenger hunt, car show, ‘Taste of Magnolia Park’, summer fun fair and an art walk in the coming months. A possible district-wide Second Saturdays monthly event is also being discussed as another option for people to come out and enjoy the area’s festive spirit. Towns Burr Gallery debuts the Second Saturdays event January 11 at their art gallery on Magnolia Boulevard, with live music and small bites.

Representatives from Belly Card showed merchants how the company’s universal and customizable reward card and app would work in the area and throughout the country. Burbank Recycling Specialist Ferris Kawar talked about recycling bins and services and launching Magnolia Park as a “green district” in the city.

Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn talks with Magnolia Park shop owners as Councilmember Bob Frutos looks on. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn talks with Magnolia Park shop owners as Councilmember Bob Frutos looks on. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Sgt. Darin Ryburn discussed theft prevention and scams affecting business owners and handed out informational packets to the group. Ross Benson from myBurbank.com demonstrated the recently-launched Magnolia Park page on the locally-focused website. Council member Bob Frutos stopped by to hear merchants’ concerns and talk about his support of the newly-formed Association and his continued enjoyment of the shopping and eating area. He also complimented the group on the recent success of the Holiday in the Park event held in November 2013.

A few years ago, property owners in the district paid a small tax that funded a P-BID (property-based business improvement district), which paid for city services, media relations and special events throughout the year. However, the majority of property owners voted against continuing the P-BID at the end of 2011, and since 2012, the area’s merchants have been on their own. Basically, most city services like cleaning the sidewalks and closing the streets for big events disappeared. While the area struggled during 2012 with major loss of foot traffic, revenue and special events, the merchants have banded together and turned the monthly Ladies Night Out events into a major draw for the area during 2013.

New City Manager Mark Scott and Councilmember Frutos visited with merchants in late 2013 and encouraged the group of just a few merchants at that time to create an association and communicate with the City Council about the area’s needs and ideas. The buzz that has been created by the monthly final Friday events has re-vitalized the area and hundreds of people visit regularly throughout the week. New stores and eateries continue to open, and Magnolia Park has become a desirable destination to shop and hang out.

Shop owners in the Magnolia Park area of Hollywood Way and Magnolia Blvd. interested in joining the Magnolia Park Merchants Association should contact Erikson, who will also serve as the Association President, via email at amerikson@yahoo.com or at 818-632-6888. The association plans to continue to grow Magnolia Park and provide funding for more events and services from which the entire district can benefit.

Sgt. Ryburn talks about scams and theft prevention with Magnolia Park merchants. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Sgt. Ryburn talks about scams and theft prevention with Magnolia Park merchants. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)