Soon, board game-loving Obecians and guests will be able to “pass go, collect $200” and land on a rental property space inhabited by Winston’s Beach Club, The Black, Dog Beach Dog Wash and many others.
The first batch of 1,000 Monopoly-like board games called “Ocean Beach-opoly” — which are actual board-game size — will be available for purchase from the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (OBMA) as a fundraiser in November.
On Aug. 15, the OBMA launched first-come, first-serve reservations for board spaces and other promotional components of the game, and the local business response was overwhelming.
“People were lined up and all the spaces on the board were filled by 11 a.m. [the same day],” said Denny Knox, executive director of OBMA. “We had three people running credit cards and people had to take numbers like they do at Baskin-Robbins.”
Knox said game money of all denominations sold for $1,000, corner board spaces went for $750 and deed spaces and deeds, draw cards, penalty spaces and game cards cost $600, $450, $400 and $200, respectively. In all, there were 26 board spaces, 22 deed spaces, six draw cards, four penalty spaces, 22 game cards and three corner spots, the latter of which were claimed by the Inn at Sunset Cliffs, OB Antique District and Shades.
Other Ocean Beach merchants who reserved board game spots included Sunshine Company Saloon, Tony’s, Arizona Café, James Gang, Olive Tree, Elbree House, OB People’s Food, Gilmore Family Jewelers, State Farm Insurance, Detail Salon Spa, Ocean Dental Care, Pac Shores, Hodads, The Black Bead, Lighthouse Ice Cream, Catrina Russels, Coldwell Banker, Tami Fuller’s Real Estate, Award Mortgage Group, Villa de Roma, Ragland, Wizard of Paws, Tower 2, Dave, Brown Marketing Strategies, Newport Avenue Antiques, South Coast Surf Shop, Edward Jones, Pacific View Realty, Lily Riley Bail Bonds, Camp Boogie, Newport Farms, OB Acupuncture, Daybreak, OB Business Center, OB Octoberfest, Beach Sweets and OB Services.
Board-game proceeds will be put to good use, said Knox.
“Just like we did with the 125th Ocean Beach anniversary last year, we’ll put the money into a fund to do beautification projects and just any great projects that come along,” she said. “We’re also going to be making a substantial donation to [redevelopment of ] Veterans Plaza.”
Located at the corner of Newport Avenue and Abbott Street, Veterans Plaza was constructed in 1997 as a memorial serving the armed forces. A redevelopment project is underway to burnish the plaza, which has become worn down due to the corrosive nature of salt air and a high amount of foot traffic.
The idea behind “Ocean Beach-opoly,” said Knox, was to “do something fun, which either brands the community, or something everybody can be proud of.”
Knox said the board game fundraising project has been a blast.
“We had some creative people on the committee and we hope that the game reflects the fun that Ocean Beach has,” she said.
“Ocean Beach-opoly” also has distinct “mingling” possibilities.
“Maybe we could have tournaments,” suggested Knox.
“Ocean Beach-opoly” will retail for about $40 and be available at many businesses in the community as well as the OBMA office at 1868 Bacon St. Board games can also be purchased online through the OBMA’s website at www.oceanbeachsandiego.com.
