Like many morally conscious consumers, Long Beach resident Liana Cote has spent the last year cutting ties with mega corporations and spending more with local businesses.
First went her Amazon subscription, after seeing founder Jeff Bezos support Donald Trump’s presidential nomination and stand behind him at the inauguration. Then went Target, after the company slashed its diversity, equity and inclusion hiring practices to fall in line with the presidential administration’s whims.
And like many others, Cote was happy to support her local small businesses, but missed the convenience of her former shopping habits.
“After that I was just kind of thinking through everything and I was like, ‘I wish that it was as easy as it was to support local with the methods that you have with all of these big box and online stores,’” Cote said.
Thus, Seeket was born: a hyperlocal, Long Beach-only online shopping platform with 60 stores and counting. Set to launch in early December (perfect for Christmas gift procrastinators), the locals-only online shop will allow residents to order niche goods like roller skates from Pigeon’s and vintage apparel from 6th and Detroit, as well as pantry staples like bread from Brother Baker and produce from local farmers markets.
“I really wanted to be true to the model of the Amazon-adjacent, where you can find anything that you wanted, but just from a small business instead,” Cote said.
Cote wasn’t the only one grappling with these decisions. Target reported sales declines for the first two quarters of this year and a 43% drop in its stock for the year. Simultaneously, organizers are calling for people to resist holiday shopping with Amazon, Target and Home Depot with a We Ain’t Buying It campaign.
Leveraging her experience in online marketing, Cote has spent the better half of the year recruiting coworkers to build an “everything you need” online platform, tabling at and hosting events to spread the word and convincing local businesses to join the venture. Last week, Seeket hit its goal of 60 businesses.
The overwhelming community response has also caught the City’s attention, evident by the $60,000 small business loan awarded to Seeket by the Economic Development and Opportunity Department. Cote says this loan will help Seeket market itself to residents and keep the website running.
From the marketing banners and pop-ups held over the last few months, everything about Seeket has been local, Cote said. Businesses that want to be on the platform don’t have to pay anything up front to be a part of Seeket. Deliveries will be made by long-time Long Beach distribution and transportation business Alley Cat Deliveries.
For some, like 6th and Detroit owner Michelle Qazi, Seeket presents a much-needed lifeline.
“Small businesses and all the local shops are just having a really hard time right now, and we’re doing everything we possibly can on our end, but to have this website and an app available for people to have us all list in one place, it’s such an incredible idea Liana came up with,” Qazi said. “It just kind of gave me this big sense of hope, like we can hang in there, we can do this.”
Qazi was one of many businesses that immediately wanted to be a part of this one-of-a-kind idea. The vintage decor and apparel shop owner has been running her store for almost nine years, survived the pandemic, and is now struggling amidst ever-changing social media algorithms that bring little traffic to her page.
“It’s just been one of those things where we, kind of every month, we’re kind of holding our breath and being like, ‘Can we make it?’” Qazi said. Her shop will have a wide variety of vintage goods, from furniture and frames to martini glasses and jewelry, all on Seeket.
Stores on Seeket will hail from all around Long Beach, highlighting small businesses in Bixby Knolls, Belmont Shore, the Zaferia district, downtown and more. Along with brick and mortar shops, local artisans and licensed home cooks can also sell with Seeket.
Cote’s plan for Seeket is to grow deeper in its roots in the future, hopefully partnering with local restaurants and coffee shops to host specials and deals, and offering memberships for residents.
Get updates on Seeket’s official launch, added shops and memberships by subscribing to their newsletter and following them on Instagram @seeket.lb.
Seeket is throwing a launch party in the East Village at 406 E. First St. on Nov. 29 from noon to 4 p.m. Residents can support small businesses, pop-up shops and food and beverages from local restaurants.
