Ten years ago American Express launched Small Business Saturday on a national basis to encourage holiday shoppers to patronize local small businesses on the busiest shopping weekend of the year. Small Business Saturday is scheduled to fall between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Normally, here in Benicia, we kick off every holiday gift-giving season with a Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting that takes place the evening of the first Friday in December. This much anticipated regional event has occurred for the past 30 years, as First Street businesses welcomed shoppers, walkers, and other casual observers to enjoy some holiday refreshments and goodwill as they perused holiday merchandise, goods and services. During the tree-lighting ceremony, carols and other entertainment propelled all attendees into a jolly mood and ushered in the holiday season in an enjoyable and convivial manner.
This year, however, nothing is normal, and although the tree lighting and Open House festivities have been cancelled, our downtown area and its stores are still open for business, and eager to assist you in that hunt for the perfect gift.
So begin your holiday shopping with Benicia’s Small Business Saturday, which falls on November 28th. The First Street merchants are mindful of existing health precautions, but everyone can socially distance themselves from others, wear face coverings, and still enjoy the season. Benicia is as charming and picturesque as it was before the pandemic, and the long-suffering shopkeepers and restaurant owners would appreciate and welcome your patronage.
Shopping can make you hungry and yes, thirsty, so include a couple of breaks in your gift search and indulge in the bevy of restaurants, bars and eateries in the Benicia area. The restaurant hosts look forward to keeping you well-fed and hydrated during the holiday shopping season. They are available for carryout, dine-in and good times. And this year, especially after all we have been through, we really need some good times.
BENICIA SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS
Retail & Other
Adobe Second Chance Thrift Shop, 431 First St., 707.999.0039
Angel Heart 4 You, 501 1st St, 707.745.2024
Arata Art Gallery, 637 1st St, 707.297.6151
Artcentric Pottery & Glass Studio, 307 1st St, 707.745.9553
Arts Benicia, 991 Tyler St #114, 707.747.0131
Benicia Plein Air Gallery, 307 1st St, 707.297.5903
Bookshop Benicia, 636 First St, 707.747.5155
Christina S Fashion Destination, 370 First St, 707.745.5125
Collektive Boutique, 935 First St, 707.742.4031
Computer 1, 737 First St, 707. 747.0417
Daughter of Luna Floral Design, 931 1st St, 707.750.5167
Elisa’s Cottage, 622 First St., 707-712-9038
Gallery 621, 309 First St, 707. 297.6860
Gallerie Renee Marie, 1038 First St., 707.480.5501
Gallery 621, 309 First St., 707.297.6860
Happy Life Pottery, 632 First St, 707.742.4311
HQ Gallery, 333-D First St., 707.319.1136
Mozart, Einstein & Me, 620 First St, 707.746.7565
Pedrotti Ace Hardware, 830 Southampton Rd, 707.746.6887
Pink Arrows Boutique, 374 1st St, 844.264.6456
Pups N Purrz, 422 First St, 707.748.7433
Romancing The Home, 617 1st St, 707.747.1717
Rags To Riches, 946 Tyler St, Ste C, 707.747.5050
Sparkly Ragz, 560 1st St Ste. B-160, 707.426.4303
Succulents and More, 433 1st St, 707.400.5565
Sweetness & Light Flowers, 707.652.5599
The Little Art Shop, 129-E First St., 707.771.6667
The Steffen Collection, 627 First St., 707.745.1170
Timeless Memories, 129 First St., 707.745.6600
Two Days Jewelry, 612 First St., 707.747.0941
Wheels in Motion Skate & Bike Shop 707.746.8856
Zeppelin Comics, 929 1st St, 707.297.6126
Restaurants, Bars, and Pubs
Aroma Indian Cuisine, 818 First St, 707.745.1870
Aung Maylika, 836 Southampton Rd #E, 707.361.5675
Bella Siena Restaurant & Bar, 127 First St, 707.805.0575
Benicia Coffee & Tea Company, 2036 Columbus Pkwy, 707.746.1242
Benicia Grill, 4760 E 2nd St, 707.751.0155
Benicia Main Street See’s Candies, 1383 E 2nd St, 707.745.9791
Bottom of the Fifth, 498 Military E, 707.745.9949
Char’s Hot Dogs, 131A First St, 707.745.4476
Dianna’s Bakery & Cafe, 639 First St, 707.297.6186
Elviarita’s Mexican Bar & Grill, 727 First St, 707.751.1705
Ensenada Restaurant, 864 Southampton Rd, 707.745.5563
Farm & Flour, 700 First St, 707.750.5345
Fox & Fawn Bakehouse, 305 First St, 707.280.0667
Freshly Rooted Tribe, 252 First St, 707.315.5947
Got Plate Lunch, 1034 First St, 707.745.4751
Izakaya Japanese Tapas & Sushi, 920 First St, 707.853.8262
Java Point Café, 366 First St, 707.745.1449
Juice House Co, 611 First St, 707.400.5638
Kaigan Sushi, 560 First St, 707.747.1084
Kimono, 1654 E Second St, 707.750.5418
Lucca’s, 439 1st St, 707.745.3749
Mai Thai Cuisine, 807 First St, 707.747.1868
Mirchi Indian Grill, 2032 Columbus Pkwy, 707.297.6328
Napoli Pizza, 2062 Columbus Pkwy, 707.746.8906
One House Bakery, 918 First St, 707.361.5919
Pacifica Pizza, 915 First St, 707.746.1790
Pearl Thai, 879 Southampton Rd, 707.747.9777
Pizza Pirate, 72 Solano Sq, 707.745.1667
Rosie’s Café, 3001 Bayshore Rd # 1, 707.745.1154
Round Table Pizza, 878 Southampton Rd, 707.746.7000
Rrags Caffe, 1383 E 2nd St, 707.748.4247
Sailor Jack’s, 123 First St, 707.746.8500
Sandoval’s Mexican Food, 640 First St, 707.746.7830
Sepay Groves Olive Oil, 364 First St, 707.434.8222
South Villa Chinese Restaurant, 2040 Columbus Pkwy, 707.747.1688
Sprankle’s Deli, 155 Military E, 707.297.6119
Szechwan House, 500 First St, 707.745.4743
The Cellar, 685 Stone Rd #1, 707. 297.6457
The Loft Wine Bar & Restaurant, 280 First St, 707.745.4200
The Workshop, 511 Claverie Way, 707.747.6028
Union Hotel Restaurant & Bar, 401 First St, 707.746.7847
Venticellos, 911 First St, 707.747.5263
Whipt Cookies, 1440 East 2nd St #A, 707.742.3125
Cocktails, wine and beer & Bites
Bottom of the Fifth, 498 Military E, 707.745.9949
Bruehol Brewing, 4828 E 2nd St, 707.327.6768
Cullen’s Tannery Pub & Saloon, 131 B First St., 707.637.5300
Rookies, 321 First St., 707.746.7665
The Chill, A Wine & Beer Bar, 362 First St., 707.746.5530
The Rellik Tavern, 726 First St., 707.746.1137
