County Fair Fashion Mall pop-up will support many local businesses

Woodland’s County Fair Fashion Mall will be holding frequent popup events in an attempt to increase exposure to its storefronts and give an opportunity for small businesses that just started growing throughout the pandemic.

“My hope is to bring back the mall to a place where it’s seen as a part of the community and doesn’t just get seen as an eyesore,” Mall Manager Victor Rodriguez said. “A place where the community can be involved and that can provide different types of events throughout the year.”

The first County Fair pop-up will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the County Fair Fashion Mall at 1264 E Gibson Rd. in Woodland.

Rodriguez said local artist Bill Shea will be attending the pop-up and have a designated unit near La Kora Taqueria that will showcase his art. Shea approached Rodriguez about showcasing his art at the mall when he realized he would no longer be able to do so at the Yolo County Fairgrounds, according to Rodriguez.

There will be local food vendors for attendees including a Georgie Bean Ice Cream truck to help with the heat, according to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has lived in Woodland for five years and said that the mall has experienced a lot more vacancies in the last four. However, the increase in people starting their businesses due to spare time spent at home during the pandemic has started to change things.

“Turning around this year, a lot more people have been interested in bringing in their boutiques that they started online or other store ideas,” he emphasized. “Hosting these events hopefully brings the community closer to us to start supporting everybody here.”