“I am truly thankful for the consistent turnout each weekend,” said Blair Cohn, executive director of the BKBIA. “The group has grown stronger, and our regulars to come together each week, rain or shine.”
According to Cohn, there can be a minimum of 25 people and as many as 60 Strollers who meet at 7:15am every Saturday morning at It’s a Grind Coffee House, 4245 Atlantic Ave. “I love the fact that we have people of all ages, colors, and religions all strolling and chatting together. We get to explore the neighborhoods and introduce everyone to our business community too. People hang around after the stroll to drink coffee and socialize. It is a very satisfying program for me.”
The group has been outfitted with their own T-shirts to identify members on Saturday mornings. “We have our winter and summer colors,” Cohn said. “We just received our Strollers Hoodies and classy long-sleeved hunter-green shirts, so everyone can be nice and warm on these cold mornings.”
Over the last four years, the Strollers have walked an estimated 739 miles (the equivalent of 28 marathons.) The routes average from 3.7 miles to 3.8 miles and change every week. The treks explore the business corridors and adjacent neighborhoods of Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Cerritos and Virginia Country Club. The Strollers have visited Forest Lawn Cemetery, Rancho Los Cerritos, shopping centers, Boy Scout project locations, private homes and back yards, and local businesses like FreeSpirit Yoga, Roy Robbins Gifts & Stationery, BellaCosa, Elise’s Tea Room, and Alsace Lorraine Bakery that provide refreshments for the group when entering the business. “It is another way to bring potential customers to these locations,” Cohn said.
Many members have taken the strolling to the next level and have participated in 5K and 10K races, as well as the Long Beach Half Marathon.
Route names are themed and are posted on the BKBIA website so that people can stroll on their own. Examples have included: Total Lunar Eclipse of the Heart, Circle Squared, Scouts Honor, Long Lines, In Search of Jotham Bixby, The Emperor’s New Clothes, Northern Exposure and Wandering Heights.
More Information
bixbyknollsinfo.com/events.html#strollers
