The Miracle Mile Small Business Stroll kicked off its first event on Saturday, April 2. The event included businesses along La Brea Avenue from the corner of Olympic Boulevard to Wilshire Boulevard and along Wilshire Boulevard from La Brea Avenue to Cloverdale Avenue.

Councilman David Ryu joined Christine Johnson at Miracle Mile Toys & Games on Saturday for the Small Business Stroll.
(photo courtesy of Councilman David Ryu’s office)

The stroll will be a monthly event. The goal is to promote business for smaller companies and artisan designers in the Miracle Mile and Wilshire areas. On the first Saturday of each month, the stroll is intended to promote businesses in the area and spark community activity. The stroll is also aimed at offering neighboring small businesses the opportunity to meet with other community patrons, while providing the community with an entertaining and walkable event. Each stroll will include shopping, food and other entertaining activities.

Fatima Dodson at Runway Boutique at 807 S. La Brea Ave. teamed up with Christine Johnson, owner of Miracle Mile Toys and Games at 5363 Wilshire Blvd. to create the stroll. Dodson said the idea is to encourage other small businesses to use unique and special ways to make businesses more appealing with live DJs and giveaways to encourage people to come out and support the local community. For example, Runway Boutique on Saturday featured vendors selling handmade items, music, tea and other special.

“We’re trying to pull more people in,” Dodson said. “Each time we do it it’s going to build and build.”

Dodson said she hopes to continue expanding the stroll and eventually create a map of the participating businesses.

The next Small Business Stroll will be on Saturday, May 7. For more information, call (310)651-1414.