The Downtown Napa Association (DNA), founded in 1971, works “to foster better business in the downtown area, to provide support for the merchants and professionals, and to promote downtown as the core of the community for business, entertainment, and culture.”
Anyone who lives in Napa or has visited in the past 15+ years can appreciate how much downtown has changed since 1971, evolving from a barely-developed, flood-prone and dilapidated Main Street to a destination unto itself. Despite its growth over the years, downtown Napa continues to reflect the hearts of local makers.
“Downtown Napa is still mostly locally-owned,” said Craig Smith, Executive Director of the DNA.
As we head into the holiday season, Craig says that the benefits of shopping locally are multiplied.
“It’s not only about convenience, it’s about supporting your community,” Smith said. “If you think about it, every dollar you spend with a local merchant is multiplied. Your purchase supports that merchant who is paying sales tax that supports our community and paying staff who mostly live here.”
Additionally, local merchants have the ability to respond to your needs in a way that the big chain stores don’t.
“If you tell Alyssa of Riza Plants what you’re looking for and she doesn’t have it, she can get it for you,” Smith said. “You’re not going to have that experience at Home Depot.”
The DNA represents over 200 restaurants, tasting rooms, boutiques, and the like in downtown Napa. Consider taking a walk around downtown this holiday season to put some of your gift-purchasing dollars towards one of their members. After all, according to Craig (and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce), the local economic impact of that purchase is greater than you may think.