Picture Perfect Picnics
By Sarah Church, President Mission Hills BID, co-owner Pizza e Birra
Summer is in full swing, and what better way to celebrate than with a picnic…a birthday picnic. This fourth of July marks America’s 250th birthday! The beauty of a birthday picnic is that it’s not limited to just one day. Picnic parties and summertime go well together all season long.
Imagine relaxing under the trees, a cool breeze in the shade, an old-fashioned picnic blanket laid out among the grass, savory sandwiches and a tasty treat ready for your indulgence, and an audible summer vibe from the live music filling the air.
This scenario is easily achieved right here in Mission Hills. Mission Gallery, located at 320 W Washington St, carries antique showroom offerings such as furniture and collectibles, making it the perfect place to visit and browse for picnic-worthy dinnerware or maybe even a vintage picnic basket that will carry your delicious lunch. Randy Batley and Jim O’Connell have owned and operated Mission Gallery since 1980. If you are seeking a way to elevate your picnic, they would be happy to help you out.
Grab a deli style sandwich and other desirable picnic goodies from Mission Hills Liquor. A neighborhood staple, the Shammas family has been crafting signature sandwiches, deli sides, and offering an extensive beverage selection for years at 1630 W Lewis St. And don’t forget to stop by Lewis Fay, just a few doors down at 1620 W Lewis St. Owner Tami Ratliffe and her team can help you find those picnic essentials. And who can forget, Venissimo Cheese, at 754 W Washington St, not only offers ready-to-go cheeses, but can also prepare a cheese and charcuterie tray for those looking for small bites with a big impact. The presentation and quality of their platters is a hit every time, ensuring you are the envy of all of your picnic blanket neighbors.
Just a short walk from any of these spots, you can make your way down to Pioneer Park where you will find live music on select summer evenings. A Mission Hills summer tradition, the Mission Hills Town Council hosts the Concerts in the Park event annually. With supportive partnerships from local businesses here in Mission Hills, residents, visitors, and business owners alike have been able to enjoy summer evenings with music and summer memories to be made. Please consider supporting our community businesses in return.
On the topic of community, I hope you have been enjoying the familiar faces on the banners that have been installed throughout Mission Hills. These banners featuring Mission Hills community members are the result of the Mission Hills BID’s partnership with the San Diego County Fair. They’ll soon be coming down, but our year-round “Spotlight Banners” series will be going up, so be sure to look up as you are out and about.
As I close out this article, I’m thinking back to the summertime fun we had just last week when the Mission Hills BID hosted a Progressive Summer Mixer on June 24 to celebrate the start of the season. This mixer was hosted by several of the businesses at 325 W Washington St. Thank you to All American Tailors, Mail Station SD, and North Properties for being our hosts. The Mission Hills BID hosts quarterly mixers as a way for the community to get to know each other and learn more about their fellow community members. If you would like to be notified of our next mixer, please complete the simple form at MissionHillsBID.com/Mixer.
We are lucky to have a summer season here in Mission Hills that seems to last longer than any calendar says. So, find a day sometime in the coming months to celebrate summer, America’s 250th birthday, and picture-perfect picnics.
Category: Business, Events, Finances, Local News, Nonprofit
