By Niki Cervantes
Staff Writer

February 9, 2015 -- With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the City of Santa Monica has a question for you: Who do you love? When it comes to businesses, that is.

As part of a campaign extolling the virtues of shopping locally, the City is asking residents and visitors to fill out an online survey asking them to name the local merchants they most love visiting.

To vote, just visit the Buy Local Santa Monica website (http://www.buylocalsantamonica.com) and click on the Valentine’s Day-themed “Most Loved Santa Monica” icon.

You have no less than 23 categories from which to choose (two more than last year), some of them very Santa Monica-esque.  For instance, you can name your most loved Natural/Organic/Health Food/Juice Bar Store, or the Best Santa Monica Restaurant/Café featuring locally-sourced ingredients.

Then there is the Most Loved pet-centric or kid-centric business, or the Most Loved Business on the Santa Monica Pier.

Also on the list is the business with the Best Santa Monica Vibe and favorite businesses in the city’s various neighborhoods, including those on Montana, Main Street, Pico Boulevard or the Third Street Promenade.

Votes can be cast through the end of the month, with the winners to be announced in April.

 It’s the second year the Buy Local campaign has offered the Most Loved contest. Last year more than a 1,000 ballots were cast, and this year, City officials expect even more participants, said Jennifer Taylor, the city’s Economic Development Administrator and Buy Local chairperson.

Voting can also net you some prizes from local businesses, like gift certificates.
Last year’s winners were a widely varied lot.  There was, for example, Brat, a clothing and gift boutique on 14th Street that won for most loved independent store; ZJ Boarding House, for most loved Santa Monica Surf/Skate/Bike Shop and Rudy’s Barbarshop, which won for Business with the Best Santa Monica Vibe.

Another winner was 220 Fitness for best Santa Monica Gym/Yoga/Pilates/Spin and the Basement Tavern for best Santa Monica Happy Hour.

The Buy Local campaign is run by the City and business community.