Long Beach Business Briefs: City Launches Interactive Real Estate Map and City Program to Offer Food Carts for Eligible Vendors

City Launches Long Beach Vacancy to Vibrancy Interactive Real Estate Map

LONG BEACH — As part of the ongoing effort to expand the City of Long Beach’s business resources portfolio, the Economic Development Department has launched the Long Beach Vacancy to Vibrancy Real Estate Map, an interactive mapping tool where business owners, entrepreneurs and prospective businesses can access data on real estate available for lease or purchase throughout Long Beach. Now available at longbeach.gov/vacancytovibrancy, the complementary tool provides entrepreneurs and business owners with information to find the most suitable space for their business needs.

The map’s interface encourages business owners and entrepreneurs to engage in strategic decision-making and simplifies the way users can identify potential sites that offer prospects for economic growth for their business. Explore available listings by clicking on the interactive map to review site specific details, or by using the filter or keyword feature to search by listing type, property type, square footage and more.

Details: longbeach.gov/vacancytovibrancy

Long Beach’s Sidewalk to Success to Offer Free Food Carts for Eligible Vendors

LONG BEACH — The City of Long Beach has launched the next phase of its Sidewalk to Success program and is now accepting applications for its food cart giveaway initiative for eligible sidewalk vendors. The Sidewalk to Success program, which provides assistance to achieve compliance while easing the financial burden for small businesses during the first year the City’s Sidewalk Vending Ordinance is in effect, will provide up to 40 free carts to local sidewalk food vendors who meet eligibility requirements.

Applicants will have a choice among four types of carts, including:

Fruit carts with coolers (for serving cut fruits).
Grilled food carts (for serving already cooked meats such as hot dogs, wrapped and labeled burritos or tacos, etc.).
Tamale carts (for serving prepackaged/hot food).
Ice cream carts.

To qualify for a free cart, applicants will need to meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

Live in Long Beach and operate the cart in the city.
Be a micro business (defined as a business with no more than two full-time employees).
Only operate one cart, including the cart for which they are applying.
Complete the business license application.
Complete the Compact Mobile Food Operation health permit application.

The cart giveaway application is in three parts: the business license form and readiness checklist; the plan submittal checklist and menu; and the final approval checklist. Other forms, such as a restroom agreement, could be required depending on the business plan.

Details: More information on how to apply and application documents are available here: https://tinyurl.com/Sidewalk-to-Success-food-carts