Originally published at https://www.escondido.org on June 2022.
The Escondido Arch is the gateway to the City’s thriving community.
Small businesses are critical for any city economy, and it’s no different for Escondido. Small businesses are the backbone of Escondido’s economy.
A new survey by Innovating Commerce Serving Communities (ICSC) found that 94% of adults shop, spend and use the services of small businesses.
A small business can have 100 to more than 1,500 employees with a revenue ranging from $1 million to more than $40 million, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s definitions of a small business.
Escondido has the fourth largest city population in San Diego County with nearly 150,000 residents, and the city is projected to grow its population over the next five years. There are nearly 71,000 jobs in Escondido, with another 1,600 jobs expected over the next five years.
The booming population bodes well for small businesses in Escondido.
More than half of adults spend their money at small businesses at least once a week and the numbers have risen since the pandemic, according to the ICSC’s Small Business Consumer Survey. Of the people surveyed, 52% said they shop at small businesses because they want to keep their money local.
Many of these small businesses included food services such as restaurants and bars, grocery stores and specialty food shops, as well as boutiques that sell clothing, shoes and accessories.
Small businesses are thriving in Escondido, improving the local economy and giving residents and visitors places to dine, shop and purchase goods and services.
Eating and Drinking Around Town
From bakeries to breweries, Escondido offers some of the finest food and drinks anywhere in the county.
Award-winning baker Jill Riley has baked specialty cakes and desserts for more than a decade in Escondido. Even though her cakes have been featured on the television series, “Cake Wars,” locals visit her bakery, Cute Cakes, for a sweet treat or to order a cake for a special occasion.
Owner Jill Reilly in Cute Cakes
When Deanna Smith began baking gluten-free bread and treats for her niece, she had no idea those recipes would become the beloved gluten-free brand, Deanna’s Gluten Free, which is sold in grocery stores across the U.S. and at one of America’s most beloved entertainment parks.
Deanna Smith’s Gluten-free recipes start with whole ingredients.
Jacked Up, a popular veteran-owned brewery in Escondido, recently expanded its space. Founded by Mike and Carly Poulson, the brewery added a larger freezer, increased the capacity of its tanks, shifted the bar around the corner and added a soundstage for entertainment. The expansion doubled Jacked Up’s seating capacity and more than doubled its brewing capacity.
Bergeon Brewery is another popular local brewery. Not only does the brewery give locals a place to hang out, the company’s community spirit extends into organized community outreach events throughout the county.
“We have seen tremendous support from the Escondido community,” said Mackenzie Graham, marketing director for Burgeon. “I think there is a real thirst for craft beer here and we’ve had such a warm welcome from our Escondido community.”
SIP Wine & Beer has also become a welcomed community space since it opened in 2016 in Escondido. In fact, SIP has evolved into a space for women and minorities and local beer and winemakers to showcase their products, owner and operator Cassandra Schaeg said.
“I am definitely blessed and fortunate to have opened SIP in Escondido. This is a charming City,” Schaeg said. “I am one of very few Black business owners in this City, and in all, I’ve been welcomed.”
Shops and Garb
Escondido is an artist’s enclave that supports creative design and enterprise. People looking for unique products or specialty designs can find what they want in the city.
The Photographer’s Eye is a great place for those with a passion for photography. Escondido resident Donna Cosentino opened the space in 2018, and as the owner, director and curator, she has hosted 26 shows featuring 15 professional photographers from around the region.
Members of The Photographer’s Eye Collective
Shoppers can always find treasures at Deborah’s Next to New Consignment, which has been operating in Escondido for more than 45 years. Because it’s a consignment store, new and interesting pieces come in on a daily basis.
Outdoor enthusiasts looking for the perfect gear to wear in the elements can visit Off the Grid on Grand Avenue.Their thoughtfully designed nine-pocket configuration pants give wearers practical and comfortable pants that can be worn for long rides on motorcycles or hikes in tough terrain.
Support through the Pandemic
As a business-friendly community, Escondido helps support new and small businesses with assistance with micro business grants, stimulus grants and small business assistance resource tools. The city’s support helped many small businesses that struggled to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, the City continues to support temporary outdoor dining until phase 2 of the grand Avenue vision project constitution begins in early 2023.
During the pandemic, the City created the Small Business Grant Program in partnership with San Diego North Economic Development Council to grant $1 million that was awarded from the federal CARES Act. Businesses received up to $15,000 to help with pandemic-related hardships such as rent payments and payroll, and to buy protective equipment.
Women-owned businesses such as Mirrored Memories — which brings a unique photo booth experience to weddings, parties and celebrations — was able to use one of the City’s small business loans to keep her business running during the pandemic when celebrations were limited.
“I really want to thank the City of Escondido,” owner Rina Connolly said. “The grant they provided really helped me out and allowed me to continue my work in the community.”
Preserving Escondido’s Economic Backbone
Escondido businesses succeed in part with the assistance of strong business associations in the community that work in partnership with the City, such as the Greater Escondido Chamber of Commerce and the Escondido Downtown District Business Association. These leaders in small businesses work with Escondido to promote community events, advocate for City improvements and support growth throughout the community.
“Escondido has a rich history of supporting the growth of small businesses in our community and this support was underscored during the pandemic as we had to quickly rethink industries such as food service and health,” said Jennifer Schoeneck, Deputy Director of Economic Development.
“As businesses and employees continue to navigate our post-pandemic economy, we are proud to see the tenacity and determination so many business leaders are displaying.
Our department continues to support them and help our community grow and thrive,” she added. “As a City that supports innovation and new ideas, Escondido continues to lead in many industries that provide well-paying and stable jobs. It has proven to be a City where new industry can be built and grow. And, it continues to provide commerce for the community so they can continue to shop, dine and find entertainment in their own backyard.”