![\"Rebecca\u2019s](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/web-Rebeccas-Summer-of-Love-VW.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cThe Walkabouts are busy nights for the retail shops and restaurants here,\u201d said Marsha Smelkinson of the business group, \u201cand go a long way to building a customer base for the rest of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n
The evenings started before the group was incorporated, which was formed to represent \u201clocally owned\u201d and \u201cowner-operated\u201d small businesses, she said. There are currently over 70 members.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Walkabouts have played a major role in putting South Park on the map as a uniquely charming neighborhood destination for shopping and dining in San Diego,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
While not an official Business Improvement District, the South Park Business Group is funded in part by grants from the City\u2019s micro-district program. The grants help underwrite the Walkabouts that, in turn, \u201cenable us to invite people from all over the area, including visiting tourists,\u201d Smelkinson said.<\/p>\n
The business group is looking to collect demographic and statistical information to help evaluate and potentially expand their marketing efforts for the Walkabouts, Smelkinson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we have no malls or national chains here, we have no \u2018deep pockets\u2019 to underwrite advertising,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Over 35 businesses participated in the Wild West Walkabout held in March, ranging in location from Juniper and 30th streets north; 30th Street and the Burlingame Garage; Fern Street; Grape Street at 30th Street; and Beech Street from 30th Street to Dale Street.<\/p>\n
A free trolley service will be available from 6 \u2013 10 p.m. and Urban Safaris will provide a one-hour guided walking tour, leaving at 6:30 p.m. from the information table near The Grove, 3010 Juniper St. The trolley circulates the entire area, with boarding stations at The Grove and Grant\u2019s Marketplace at 2953 Beech St.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome folks aren\u2019t as familiar with the businesses along Beech Street as they are with the ones on Juniper or Grape [streets],\u201d Smelkinson said. \u201cThe Walkabouts give them a chance to visit the Beech Street area and see the very special shops and eateries there.\u201d<\/p>\n
New shops set for this weekend\u2019s Walkabout include the recently opened cafe Piacere Mio at 1947 Fern St. and Lulu\u2019s Nail Spa & Boutique, which changed ownership and held a grand reopening Friday, July 12. Smelkinson said the new owners doubled the size of the spa, located on the corner of 30th and Kalmia streets.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuona Forchetta will have a \u201970s-themed costume party along with sidewalk platters,\u201d Smelkinson said, \u201cand at The Next Door Gallery, San Diego artist Lupita Shahbazi opens her art show, \u2018Life is a Circus.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Goldline Salon at 3009 Beech St. will feature the urban tribal dance duo Okapi Sun, who have recently been making the rounds in the San Diego music scene. They played at the North Park Community Association\u2019s Bird Park Summer Concerts on June 29, performed several shows at The Casbah \u2013 including an upcoming concert Aug. 8 \u2013 and played at the Hard Rock Hotel Downtown and the Lafayette Hotel in North Park. Following the Walkabout, the group has a gig scheduled July 27 at North Park\u2019s Bar Pink.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s quite a line up,\u201d Smelkinson said of the night\u2019s Walkabout events.<\/p>\n
At last year\u2019s Summer of Love Walkabout, Rebecca\u2019s Coffee House \u2013 a staple in the South Park scene at 3015 Juniper St. \u2013 decorated a Volkswagen Beetle in traditional 1960s \u201clove-bug\u201d style. Smelkinson said rumor has it that the Beetle will make a welcome return on Saturday.<\/p>\n