June 2024 BANF Newsletter
Summer's on the Horizon: Get Ready for BBQs, Beach Days, and Bad Tan Lines!
Presenting the third edition of the North Park BANF (Business and Neighborhood Foundation) newsletter! Prepare for an exciting journey through your inbox, filled with a captivating mix of upcoming events, community stories, and neighborhood adventures.
For those of you new to BANF, we're all about boosting community vibes! Our mission? We're on a quest to turbocharge connectivity among our residents by crafting an epic, safe, and downright inviting public space—enter the North Park Mini Park and its fabulous surroundings. Get ready for a whirlwind of events and programs that'll make your neighborhood pulse with energy!
North Park Music Fest Hits a High Note!
The North Park Music Festival turned the neighborhood into a musical playground! With local bands, tasty food, and quirky crafts, attendees danced like nobody was watching, ate like they had a bottomless pit, and bought more handmade trinkets than they had room for. It was a day of fun, sunburns, and questionable dance moves—truly unforgettable!
Did you know?
After 77 years in operation, Stern’s Gym on Granada Ave closed its doors early this month. The gym was founded by Leo Stern in 1946 and opened its first location near Hoover High School. In 1947 he moved the gym to Granada Avenue where it remained in operation till its closing day. Leo Stern was an accomplished body builder. He won the Mr. San Diego bodybuilding competition in 1941 and the AAU Mr. California title in 1946. Sterns gym was frequented by luminaries like Lou Ferrigno, John Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Pear, some members of the SD Chargers and Shannon Brown (current owner). Leo Stern passed away in 2009, but the gym retained his name until its closing.
The two-story brick building was built prior to 1925 and has been occupied by multiple businesses such as a second hand furniture store, a poultry and egg store, a billiards room, a laundry service business and of course a gym on the second floor.
For more information about this North Park institution please visit the North Park Historical Society site.
All photos courtesy of the Stern Family
Skate Nights
Get ready to rock and roll at the Mini Park's Roller Skating Night! 🎉🛼 From May to July, join us every 4th Thursday from 5-8pm for an evening of wheeled wonders! ✨ Expect groovy DJ beats, a skating rink, rental skates (for those who don’t have their own 80s relics), and a super cool booth by Speakeasy Clothing! Sponsored by the North Park Business and Neighborhood Foundation. It's the most fun you can have on eight wheels—wipeouts optional! See you there! 😄
Check out this great video from the the June Skate Night on Instagram.
Get the Scoop: Dive into the North Park Mini Park Action on the BANF Website! Your Sneak Peek at What's Next:
Mini Park Events
North Park Mini Book Fair: June 29th 10AM - 5PM
North Park Skate Night in July
Recurring Events
Farmers Market (Every Thursday 3pm-7:30pm)
Vegan Market /Vegan Food Popup (Every second Saturday of the month 12-4pm)
Day to Day Vintage Market (Every third Saturday of the month 11am)
Got an Event? Feel free to post directly to the Events Calendar on the BANF website: https://npbanf.org/events
Finally, stay connected with us on Instagram for more content and event reminders @northparkbanf