WEST SACRAMENTO FARMERS MARKET OPENS

The new West Sacramento Farmers Market is open and will run Thursdays through September from 4:30 p.m. until dusk. The West Sacramento Farmers Market is EBT/SNAP accepted. It is located at 1271 West Capitol Ave., across from City Hall. Avoid parking hassles by catching Yolobus local routes 35, 40, 41 or 240 to "Ride The Bus To The Market." Or you can "Bike To The Market"--take the Harbor Boulevard route to West Capitol Avenue to avoid traffic. Visit www.WSFarmersMarket.com.

 

WEST SACRAMENTO STARTS “SHOP LOCAL/THINK LOCAL” PROGRAM

The City of West Sacramento and West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce have teamed for a “shop local” program designed to encourage residents and employer groups in the city to make their purchases with local merchants.  The first phase of the program will include window stickers for local merchants and a website that will grow to include an interactive directory of local merchants.

There are many motivations for creating the program, which a public/private partnership between the city, area merchants and the chamber of commerce, according to Christopher Cabaldon, mayor of West Sacramento.  “It increases sales tax revenue and helps conserve resources as residents and workers stay within the community for their shopping.”

Moreover, city leaders wanted residents and workers within the city to ‘think local,’ planning their purchases, dining and shopping trips with West Sacramento in mind.

“West Sacramento has a great number of established and new retailers, from the time-tested shops along West Capitol Avenue to the new stores in Southport and at the city’s western edge,” said Cabaldon.  Some of the best-known restaurants in the region, including Club Pheasant and Sal’s Tacos, are among many dining delights that can be found in the city.

Keeping spending within the city has a cumulative benefit.  According to reports from the United States Small Business Administration, for each dollar spent with a sole proprietor or independent retailer, 60 cents remains and is recirculated within the community.

While the city’s “shop local” program is intended to provide a needed boost to sales tax revenue during the current economic slowdown, it is not a knee-jerk reaction to the economy, said Denice Seals, chief executive officer of the chamber of commerce.  “We have been planning a sustainable and long-term approach that will educate residents and the workforce of the benefits shopping locally has for them and the city.” Seals said West Sacramentans have a “deep sense of community and a spirit of commitment” that should help this program remain effective.“We simply need to remind them that it is important to think about and shop in West Sacramento first,” she said.