By Austin Metoyer, Downtown Long Beach Alliance CEO and president, contributing writer
As we move through the second half of our fiscal year, we recently released our Midyear Update highlighting the energy in Downtown Long Beach that continues to evolve. From October 2024 to March 2025, we’ve seen meaningful progress, yet we know new challenges are on the horizon.
Firstly, what stands out most has been a renewed sense of momentum, driven by people returning to our downtown — not just from across the city, but from surrounding regions as well. Some of this is thanks to return to office, but most is noticed through events and activities.
That spirit was on full display during this year’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, which saw record-breaking attendance and packed streets. Just as exciting were our community-focused events that helped foster a downtown where folks are welcome and have programs that build on each other — like Dance Downtown Revolution (a weekly free dance-lesson series), Paws on the Promenade (a monthly dog walk meetup), and the 13th anniversary of Celebrate Downtown, where we recognized neighborhood champions like Brian Addison and Willmore City Community Association.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue offering events that reflect the diversity and creativity of our community. The upcoming Taste of Downtown series kicks off Saturday, May 3, followed by a second on June 11 and June 12. And we’re thrilled to close the series with a final event on Saturday, August 16.
Bevs, Bites & Beats, a new collaboration with the great radio station KCRW, aims to bring new energy to the waterfront. This reimagined Taste of Downtown experience will combine culinary exploration with music and waterfront views — another step in reactivating our public spaces in creative ways.
What makes all of this work is involvement from our community, Long Beach neighbors and our small businesses. Altar Society Brewing & Coffee Co. continues to bring life to one of downtown’s oldest buildings with great beer, food, and a steady calendar of unique yoga classes, mini-festivals, art shows and concerts.
Nearby, the newly opened &Waffles, offers delicious comfort food that’s already a hit on Pine Avenue. And over at The Pike Outlets, Paris Baguette will soon be serving up fresh pastries and coffee — and these businesses all join a list of so many more investments in our downtown, like Olive & Rose, Sonoratown, The Fairmont Breakers and the new incoming amphitheater at the Queen Mary.
We’re also proud to share that the Promenade redevelopment is now complete, and nearly all retail spaces are filled. It’s not just about filling storefronts —it’s about building a downtown that feels alive at every corner.
Of course, revitalization is not unique to Long Beach. Across the country, downtowns are grappling with the same questions: How do we fill the gap left by lunchtime traffic? How do we ensure safety while promoting vibrancy? How will the looming tariffs and other international trends impact businesses and consumers? And, how do we serve the evolving needs of residents, visitors, and workers alike?
We’re not just asking those questions — we’re acting on them. From working with the city to revise the Downtown Plan, increasing advocacy at the state level, and building partnerships with local artists and organizations to layered safety initiatives built into our events and outreach, our approach is rooted in the belief that a thriving downtown must be forward looking and strategic in our approach.
We’ll be celebrating that spirit on May 18 with our second Gateway to Pride, Downtown Long Beach’s Pride Parade after party. It’s more than a celebration, this is about progress and purpose, about continuing to build a downtown that serves everyone — every single day.
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