A group of downtown businesses in the City of Antioch are coming together to form a downtown business association.
Debbie Blaisure, of the Rivertown Treasure Chest, and Kathy Cabrera, of K911 Animal Rescue, spoke with nearly 50 businesses to discuss the concept. The idea gained enough support where they decided to hold a Mix and Mingle open house to test the concept and gain more feedback.
On Saturday, nearly 150 people filtered through the mix and mingle event over the nearly three hour time period. A lot of discussion, suggestions, ideas and concepts were shared. It was estimated nearly two dozen businesses participated along with many community stakeholders, non-profits, from property owners to residents–along with the mayor, councilmembers and the Antioch Police Department.
This effort comes as the City of Antioch released its own Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for “technical assistance for Antioch Downtown Merchant Association” — without talking to many of the businesses who were already working to form an association organically.
Blaisure now plans to push forward with Cabrera to begin moving from concept to reality.
“Last night validated that a Antioch Downtown Business Association is not only needed, but it is wanted. It showed a passion for the downtown and a love of Antioch. It solidified that we will be moving forward with creating a downtown business association,” said Blaisure. “If we don’t do this now to help the many new business that have recently opened, or help the new city leadership and create a vision for the future, we will be sitting here 30-years from now talking about the same things.”
The next steps will be announced in the near future but Blaisure said she looked forward to working with the City of Antioch and creating a collaborative effort to revitalizing the downtown with the businesses involved in the process.
L to R: Sean McCauley and Mayor Ron Bernal
Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal, who was in attendance, called building community one of his top priorities and building up the downtown community was important to the future of Antioch.
“I am super excited about the future of downtown Antioch and we are on the move and moving in a positive direction,” said Bernal. “We are excited about the fact we have a world class waterfront that we need to take full advantage of. We have been talking about that forever, we need to make sure it’s a priority but we also need to hold our property owners accountable that are not doing the best job at keeping their building in good condition. We need to make sure we get boards off of windows and buildings repainted and that when people come downtown it can be a place we can be proud of. The idea is to make Antioch into a social district so that people will come down and have something to do.”
Bernal acknowledged that downtown has so much potential, but the city council needed to make it a priority—along with police and public safety, homelessness and housing, along with economic development.
“I know we have an RFQ out, I wasn’t apart of it, it was to look for someone to help get a downtown business district together and so one of my things is the city shouldn’t be leading what business does or what property owners do, because you all know best. The city doesn’t necessarily but we need to do everything to make sure its safe down here, to make sure its clean, attractive and codes are followed, support our businesses so you all have the best opportunity to succeed and grow,” stated Bernal.
Bernal called it an exciting time and things were happening.
Sean McCauley called it a wonderful event and hopes collaboration going forward continues as they move towards a social district.
“I love seeing entrepreneurs, business owners and community stakeholders all in one room to do something like this, its very important. We did this in Brentwood about 8 or 9 years ago and we had a fraction of the people,” said McCauley. “I know everybody things we are just throwing things against the wall and its superficial and what is happening downtown is hodgepodge but I will tell you 10-years ago Ron (Bernal) and I had a vision when he was city manager of what is going to happen downtown and we put a plan together and we were really articulate with each other, but we were not really articulate with the people about what we wanted to do because there is so much potential. I know its taken 10-years, but it takes time to do these things.”
McCauley continued noting that downtown districts have become “social districts” when Antioch was a business district where people shopped and conducted business. As time went on, it began to compete with big box retailers followed by Amazon.
“So downtown’s have suffered. Not just in Antioch, but across the United States,” explained McCauley. “So now they are turning into social districts. we have a very good plan to try and make it happen. Social districts are where you get entertained, you can shop, drink, have a restaurant, you go out and mingle.”
He encouraged the community to allow the paradigm shift to change and the plan is going to open up 2nd Street to the waterfront–he said it was changing dramatically and encouraged folks to stay engaged.
Diane Gibson-Gray, who announced over the weekend she is running for Antioch City Council in District 1 in 2026, attended the event and was encouraged by the efforts.
“I was encouraged by the energy and conversations between the business owners, staff, nonprofits, volunteers and the primary developer in the downtown area. It’s a bright new beginning,” said Gibson-Gray.
Also in attendance was councilmembers Don Freitas and Louie Rocha long with two members of the Antioch Police Department to speak with local business on needs and introduce themselves.
Feitas added, “the downtown has always been special and the potential is incredible. Until recently, we have never really maximized the potential so I am excited.”
For those looking for more information, a website is coming soon along with more details. However, you can visit Debbie at the Rivertown Treasure Chest at 306 G St.
Previous
- Jan 8 – Antioch Looks to Develop Downtown Merchant Association: The City of Antioch released an Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for “technical assistance for Antioch Downtown Merchant Association”.
There are several cities that have programs similar to what Antioch could create or be modeled after which include:
- Benicia Main Street
- Downtown Brentwood Coalition
- Downtown Martinez and Company
- Livermore Downtown, Inc.
- Walnut Creek Downtown Association
