Riviera Village Support Fund

Kathleen Fisher is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Brian Diederich.

Donation protected

“I’m going into business based on operating at 0-40% capacity,” said no business owner ever. However, this reality is threatening the life force of Riviera Village businesses due to COVID-19 closures and restrictions – sadly, some Village businesses have shuttered permanently. The Riviera Village Association (RVA), which is comprised of all business owners in The Village, humbly asks for your help in supporting work the RVA has funded thus far. Collected funds will aid in continuing and expanding The Riviera Village parklets program as well as replenish the initial investment made by the RVA for future village-wide improvements With the parklets program, we all win –

·         businesses get to operate

·         our City can partially restore its vital sales tax base

·         awareness is raised for all types of Village businesses

·         as customers – we get a safe, healthy, and fun place to eat out!

ABOUT THE PARKLETS
A parklet is a sidewalk extension installed in parking lanes that provides more space and amenities for people. On July 4th weekend, the Riviera Village Association launched a parklets program with the help of BeachLife to the delight and appreciation of business owners and the community. The parklets are situated in sections of parking spots on South Catalina Avenue. All COVID-19 safety protocols are in full force and no handicap parking has been taken away. The successful program allows more outdoor space for a safer more socially distanced environment – primarily for restaurants, as well as some retail and services. Tanya Collins, owner of Creative Designs a retail shop, also offering interior design services, said of the parklets, “We would be dead without our thriving restaurants – without them, no one would come to The Village.” Tanya’s observation is why parklets are so important to the entirety of Riviera Village.

(make sure to "read more" for all campaign info, images and video)

FUNDS ARE RUNNING OUT
The Riviera Village Business Improvement District (BID) has subsidized the substantial initial costs of the parklets in collaboration with The BeachLife Festival, and several small contributors. However, funding is critically low; your help is needed to keep the program moving - so more Village businesses that have applied, can partake in this opportunity … which, quite literally is essential for their survival.

FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER
The “Riviera Village Support Fund” campaign is being monitored by myself and has been approved by the Riviera Village Association. The RVA is a designated non-profit 501(c)(6). My name is Kathleen Fisher, I have been Riviera Village’s Social Media Manager since 2017; I have lived in South Redondo Beach for 20 years. My social media role for the RVA has been incredibly enriching because of the people I have gotten to know – the Riviera Village business owners. They are all wonderful people – several I can call friends. COVID-19 has been devastating for them. It has been a thrill to see promising signs of life in Riviera Village because of the parklets, which in turn, brings new eyes to store fronts. I hope, with the community’s help and outpouring of love and support, they will know how very much a successful Riviera Village means to all of you. Thank you for your consideration and donations.

(make sure to "read more" for all campaign info, images and video)

FAQs

1) When are the funds needed?

ASAP. Restaurants need to survive with outdoor dining.

2) Where are funds deposited?

The RVA has setup a separate bank account for this donation effort and will track all donation proceeds diligently. I cannot access the money because it is the RVA account with only 4 people listed (all executive Board members) and two signatures are required for all checks and withdrawals.

3) How will the funds be used?

All funds donated will be used to implement the vision and mission statement of the RVA, which is to aid small businesses within the business improvement district. More specifically, the funds will be earmarked towards assisting retail & restaurant businesses build outdoor parklets that enable them to create revenue during COVID and enable the City to restore its vital tax base.

4) Are the parklets free for restaurants/businesses to use?

No. Participating restaurants/businesses pay a monthly fee. That fee is repaid to the Rivera Village Association to help recoup upfront costs to build the parklets. Those replenished funds serve to benefit the whole of Riviera Village Association members for future Village improvements.