Farmers Market
Yuba Blue

With the community-wide impact of COVID-19 on our communities, we’re focused on highlighting how great all of our local businesses are here in Nevada County.  So, here are 5 great ways to support local businesses this season.

Shop Local

Several upcoming events give you additional options to support local merchants.  This Saturday, November 13th is the Grass Valley Holiday Market“It is fantastic to work with promoting the downtown merchants in Grass Valley,” said Marni Marshall, Grass Valley Downtown Association Director.  When asked what’s unique about shopping downtown she explained, “it’s the atmosphere in a historic district.  You get a sense of the history, and the personal small town touches.  There is also the experience of seeing what is new in downtown.  The Downtown Holiday Market is a kick-off to the holiday shopping season.  Participating merchants will have a variety of specials, such as door prizes, raffle prizes, sales, entertainment, and pop-up shops within shops.  It encourages people to shop local and see what your downtown merchants have to offer for gifts and experiences.  It’s a fun way to spend the day with friends and family.”  Or take a stroll through downtown Nevada City and support one of the many local downtown small businesses (J.J. Jackson’s, Kitkitdizzi, The Earth Store, Mama Madrone’s, Earth Central, The Rose Market, to name a few).

J.J. Jackson's

November & December Events:

We have missed so many events in the last year and a half, so we’re excited to celebrate the holidays. We’ve put together a short list of upcoming events for the whole family.  Remember, you can support local merchants and vendors by thinking local this holiday season.  Whether it’s going to the ASiF Small Works Show or supporting artisans at the Nevada City Craft Fair or trying a new vendor at Victorian Christmas.

Gift Certificates

The gift that keeps on giving, sometimes you just don’t know the perfect item, or maybe you want to give someone an experience (like a cooking class or a weekend away or a meal out).  Local gift certificates give you so many choices for gifting that perfect experience.  Or, maybe you want to support a local arts event, give someone a gift certificate to The Center for the Arts, Miners Foundry or one of the many Nevada City events.

Farmers Market

Celebrate Thanksgiving/Christmas

Have you thought about inviting your family or friends to visit for the holidays?  You could always camp at the Inn Town Campground and celebrate outside.  And regardless of when you celebrate the holidays, sharing our community with your network of people is another great way to help our economy.  We have hiking, shops, food, wine, beer and more!  If you’re looking for a holiday meal to go, check out BackPorch Market, Lefty’s Grill, BriarPatch Co-op, The Ham Stand for some options on an easy to go meal.  Or support our local farmers and stock up for your holiday meal at the Nevada City Farmers Market.
Heartwood Cafe

Let’s Go Out Tonight

You can support our community by shopping with local artists, attending a concert, enjoying a ballet performance, doing a private rental at the movie theater, going out for a coffee or getting take out.  Or maybe you want to treat yourself, now is always a great time to get a massage, take a new yoga class or get a hair cut for the upcoming holiday season.  We will work on creating even more suggestions on the blog for creative ways to support your neighbors, local businesses and the economy of the community.

Spread the word

Use social media and your network of people to share that Nevada City & Grass Valley are open and welcoming.  There has been a lot of publicity about the power shutoffs, fires and COVID for the last year.  I don’t know about you, but we’re ready for some good news!  With that in mind, Nevada City and Grass Valley are open and businesses are open and would love to see you.  It’s important to remind not only tourists and the media in general, but the locals, that we’re a tourist community that welcomes folks to come to town and support businesses, so yes, there at the Outside Inn and Inn Town Campground we are open, so let’s all remind folks that we’re an awesome place to visit!  For those of you online, you can share this blog post, or tag Visit Nevada City on Instagram using #VisitNevadaCity to remind and show folks all the amazing things happening in our area (and it can be in Grass Valley too!).