In October, La Jolla Village Merchants Association reviewed the group’s new and improved website and discussed homelessness as well as the frighteningly successful annual Pillage the Village Halloween celebration.
Of the new website, LJVMA president James Niebling said: “It’s very dynamic, and there’s a great opportunity to have tremendously large photographs and videos on it that really enhance the merchants’ listings. Social media continues to make great progress, and we want to see that continue.”
Niebling added LJVMA is also looking for cooperative advertising ventures with outside entities to help “brand the community. We want the website to start to take on a very special branding identity.”
LJVMA executive director Sheila Fortune pointed out that block captains charged with keeping merchants in their areas notified of bid activities should inform business owners that “old ads are not transferred to the new website.”
“Will there be any cost for a new ad?” asked board member Laurnie Durisoe of Pantai Inn.
“No, it’s part of the membership,” answered Fortune.
Board member Brett Murphy, of La Jolla Sports Club, addressed growing homeless problems in the community noting “it’s becoming more disruptive and getting to the point where it is negatively impacting our customer base.” Murphy added that, due to a staffing shortage, San Diego Police response times have been slow on calls to them concerning homelessness.
“There are multiple issues,” continued Murphy, adding, “We had some people being aggressive, and it took hours for the police to respond.”
Niebling noted that disrupting traffic or people yelling or screaming is entirely inappropriate and that merchants should call the homeless outreach hotline at 619-236-5990 or visit www.211sandiego.org to report such activity.
Fortune said the annual Pillage the Village observance will be held on Halloween day, Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 3 to 6 p.m. throughout the downtown Village. “Balloons for participating merchants will be available to be picked up at Gallery Properties at 7861 Herschel Ave.,” Fortune said. “This year, we’re also encouraging merchants to carve pumpkins and put them outside.”
La Jolla Real Estate Brokers Association, at 908 Kline St., will provide bags for La Jolla children, who pillage the village immediately after school. REBA also hosts a kids costume contest.
In other action:
• California State Assemblymember Todd Gloria is holding a community coffee get-together Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at 615 Prospect St.
• Fortune said the merchant group is moving its current office at 1246 Roslyn Lane, located behind the former Alfonso’s. “We’re negotiating to moving into a space over Coast Walk We hope to be moving the first week in November.”