As the city continues to re-open to the public, on May 15 the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA) held a spring clean-up in preparation for a busy summer to come.
Long Beach entered the yellow tier on May 5, meaning that from now on businesses such as restaurants, shopping centers, and movie theaters can allow up to 50% indoor capacity. While this transition has been embraced by many residents, those who are most excited by the news are business owners.
In the past, Long Beach has always been a hub for tourists due to its proximity to the beach and surrounding cities. But last summer, tourism traffic took a hit due to Covid and left many businesses in a tough position.
However, with eased restrictions, this summer is looking to shape up differently and Downtown Long Beach is making sure it’s in the best state possible as more of the public returns. The Pike and Shoreline Village are typically the busiest locations that people visit which is why much of the clean-up was focused there.
On Saturday at 9:00 am, dozens of volunteers gathered in front of the Laugh Factory and were provided with trash bags and pickers before being sent out to clean up around the area. The event was hosted by DLBA in partnership with Long Beach Public Works and the Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The volunteers varied from families, individuals, to even missionaries.
Elder Phillips and Elder Sebreseese are serving missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and spend most of their days in suits preaching to people.
“We do service about 24/7 for two years,” said Phillips. “But we really do enjoy events like these because we can get into our normal clothes and just spend some time in the fresh air. It’s sort of refreshing.”
Sebreseese said, “I think it also gives us the opportunity to get to know some people in the community, which feels great.”
Many of the volunteers headed towards the lighthouse to pick up trash and among them was Jen Larsen. Larsen works full time and is a mother, but despite her schedule she made an effort to get her family downtown early that morning to participate.
“We try to do something as often as we can but it’s not as often as we’d like,” said Larsen. “We’re usually busy so getting in, even just a two hour clean-up, feels like something.”
Even her son sympathized, interjecting with, “We feel bad, we don’t do enough. But I like this cause it’s actually sorta fun.”
The DLBA has a calendar filled with in-person events as the city makes an effort to get citizens to come out and enjoy the attractions. The next few months are looking promising to not only business owners, but visitors as well.