The Pico Roots marketplace will host a diverse selection of local small businesses and help Santa Monica entrepreneurs grow and expand their businesses.

Community Corporation of Santa Monica, a non-profit organization that restores, builds, and manages affordable housing for people of modest means, today hosted a ribbon-cutting event for Pico Roots, Santa Monica’s first small business marketplace. Pico Roots, with partial funding from the City of Santa Monica, will provide a platform for local entrepreneurs to grow and expand their businesses while celebrating diversity, culture, and connection.

“We’re excited to open Santa Monica’s first small business marketplace and welcome seven amazing local entrepreneurs and their businesses,” said Tara Barauskas, Executive Director of Community Corporation. “Pico Roots will provide an opportunity for these businesses to connect with the broader Santa Monica community in a way that celebrates diversity, culture, and connection.”

The Pico Roots marketplace will offer a range of products to Santa Monica residents, with vendors including Adey Gojo Coffee and Catering, Tiny Bee Cards, Lucky Bug Clothing, Youthful Savings Marketplace, Sunny Moore Collection, Queens and Kings Hair Love It, and Soleil Satnam.

Phil Brock, Mayor of Santa Monica, participated in this morning’s grand opening event and cut the ribbon for the marketplace. After, local community leaders and stakeholders met entrepreneurs, shared conversations, and shopped in the new space.

“Last year, Brunson Terrace brought much-needed affordable housing to our city, and now this same property has Pico Roots Marketplace to support and lift up small businesses in our city’s most underserved community,” Mayor Phil Brock said. “This city-funded project makes great strides in three of our five key strategic priorities: Addressing Homelessness, Economic Growth & Cultural Vitality, and Justice, Equity & Diversity. It’s a win-win-win.”

“Pico Roots is giving small businesses a real opportunity to grow in a sustainable and community-forward way,” said Negin Singh, Pico Roots marketplace curator. “Community Corp. and the Pico neighborhood have poured their heart and soul into this project. These small businesses are going to become household names within the community and beyond.”

“Beautiful things happen when we invest in community leadership, and Pico Roots is the culmination of years of neighborhood advocacy,” said Cataline Langen, Director of Santa Monica’s Bay Area Human Relations Council. We are proud to administer the Wellbeing Microgrant Program and thrilled that two recipients are participating in the marketplace. We are looking forward to watching these businesses grow and thrive.”

Throughout the weekend, the marketplace will feature family-friendly festivities including collage making, children’s interactive play, and a family portrait studio.  In the upcoming weeks, there will be more events and pop-up artists to activate the space.

About Community Corp: Community Corporation of Santa Monica is a non-profit organization that restores, builds, and manages affordable housing for people of modest means. Founded by community leaders in 1982, Community Corp. has built or restored more than 95 properties throughout Santa Monica, creating over 2,000 affordable homes and transforming the lives of more than 4,000 people every year. Our work contributes to the distinct character of Santa Monica. For more information, please visit our website at www.communitycorp.org.

About Pico Roots: Pico Roots marketplace is Santa Monica’s first incubator for small and micro businesses founded by local creators. The marketplace was designed in close collaboration between community groups including Community Corporation of Santa Monica, Pico Improvement District, Pico Neighborhood Association, Santa Monica Black Agenda, Santa Monica Black Lives Association, Parent Connection Group, Familias Latinas Unidas, the Santa Monica Interfaith Council, We are Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council, the City of Santa Monica, and Virginia Avenue Park. To find out more, visit www.picoroots.com.

Photo courtesy of Noah Douge.