June 25, 2024
City Council
DATE: June 25, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Economic Development Commissioners
Council Member Cesar Zepeda
Subject: Presentation of the Economic Development Commission’s Vision for Taste of Richmond 2024
FINANCIAL IMPACT: $10,000
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
December 5, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Economic Development Commission will be
transforming the annual Taste of Richmond event from a
single-day format into a week-long Restaurant Week to
better support local small business restaurants. The
current format imposes significant costs on participating restaurants without compensation, exacerbated by rising post-pandemic expenses. The new event will include
comprehensive marketing, community engagement
activities, and partnerships with local organizations to drive sustained economic benefits and community
participation.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a presentation from the Economic
Development Commission on the new direction and
vision for the 2024 Taste of Richmond; and request an
appropriation in the amount of $10,000 to help support
the 2024 Taste of Richmond event – Councilmember
Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
AGENDA
REPORT
June 25, 2024
DISCUSSION:
The Economic Development Commission has successfully hosted and organized the Taste of Richmond event, showcasing small business restaurants in Richmond for several years. This event has been supported by the Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) as its fiscal sponsor, a partnership that will continue. The proposed expansion aims to transform the current one-day Taste of Richmond event into a week-long celebration titled Restaurant Week, to be held the second week in September 2024.
Taste of Richmond, in its current format, is a single-day event where small business restaurants showcase their food and business. The Economic Development Commission has raised a critical question about the long-term support this event provides to the restaurants. Specifically, there are concerns regarding whether the current format encourages post-event patronage and its overall economic impact.
While food at the event is free for attendees (with entry tickets being the only cost), participating restaurants bear significant costs without receiving compensation for the food provided. This financial burden is exacerbated by post-pandemic increases in food, lease, and operational costs—food costs have risen by 13.2 percent, and labor costs by
15.1 percent1.
To address these challenges and enhance support for local restaurants, the Economic Development Commission proposes extending Taste of Richmond into a week-long event, Restaurant Week. The new format will include:
Events at Selected Restaurants: Hosting events across various local restaurants throughout the week.
Comprehensive Marketing Plan: This will spotlight local restaurants through social media campaigns, a dedicated website, and coverage in local and Bay Area news.
Community Engagement Activities: These will include DJ performances, interactive conversations with restaurant owners (termed "Chop it Ups"), and games to foster community participation.
Collaborations and Partnerships: Engagement with various organizations such as CoBiz, RMSI, YouthWorks, Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the City of Richmond, Renaissance Center, and Empower Soul Studios will be essential. Taste of Richmond Magazine: Both digital and hard copies will be created, featuring local eateries, "Best of Richmond" winners, advertisements (to generate revenue for the Economic Development Commission to support future events), coupons, and stories of restaurant owners.
The transformation of Taste of Richmond into Restaurant Week is a strategic initiative to provide sustained support to Richmond's small business restaurants, driving economic
1 National Restaurant Association
June 25, 2024
growth and community engagement. This new format intends to deliver a more impactful and inclusive event, fostering a stronger local economy and a vibrant culinary scene in Richmond.
By adopting this new format, the Economic Development Commission aims to ensure long-term benefits for local restaurants and create a more engaging, community- centered celebration.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Taste of Richmond 2024 Presentation