Downtown Manhattan Beach Business & Professionals Association

From Southbay’s 2014 Women in Business profiles section, some of the city’s many women business owners

Growth & Longevity

In 2006, one month before  Southbay’s first issue, the Manhattan Beach Certified Farmers’ Market opened in Downtown Manhattan Beach. What began as a small weekly market has grown into one of the South Bay’s most beloved traditions, and its proceeds fund our marketing. As both the market and our downtown flourished, so did our ability to promote our business community.

Today, we’re proud to sponsor Southbay’s multi-page spring fashion issue and invest in shopping and dining guides that showcase the exceptional boutiques, restaurants and local businesses in Downtown Manhattan Beach. Looking back, it’s remarkable that two community institutions that began just one month apart have grown side by side for the past 20 years, each helping tell the story of the South Bay.

Giving Back

Strong businesses and a strong community go hand in hand. From supporting local schools and nonprofits to helping neighbors in times of crisis, giving back is part of who we are. Through every challenge and every celebration, our commitment to caring for our community has remained our defining value. When we invest in our community, our community invests in each other. That’s a value that has never changed and will define us for generations to come.

Through the Years

We have always embraced both honoring our past and investing in our future. We are home to beloved institutions like Ercole’s and Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, celebrating 75 years, alongside longstanding retailers like Tabula Rasa Essentials and Wright’s, while continuing to welcome entrepreneurs and exciting new businesses eager to become part of our story. Why? Because Downtown Manhattan Beach is one of California’s cleanest, safest and most charming coastal destinations, anchored by our iconic pier and an authentic sense of community.

Southbay Love

Twenty years ago, our association was working with a marketing budget measured in hundreds of dollars—not thousands. A small ad in Southbay or partnering on a community event, such as the fashion shows of years past, was often all we could afford. But we recognized that the magazine shared our passion for celebrating the people, businesses and coastal lifestyle that make the South Bay so special. We are especially grateful to the Southbay team for their patience, generosity and unwavering support of Downtown Manhattan Beach. They consistently give our small businesses a voice and a spotlight. Congratulations on 20 remarkable years, and thank you for helping tell our story!

Main image by Patrick Record | Throwback image photographed by Lauren Taylor