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