District Blog

Great news for fans of hosteling in general and Monterey Hostel in particular: Monterey Hostel at 778 Hawthorne Street is being renovated and is planning to reopen in the spring of 2024! But they need your financial help to get them the last mile.

The nonprofit HostelingOn took over the vacant property in early 2021 to redevelop and save the hostel, which first opened in 2000 and closed in 2020 because of the pandemic. Construction will wrap up in early 2024 and they are currently working to raise $50,000 to fund beds, mattresses, and bedding so they can begin welcoming travelers from around the world. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation here.

Monterey Hostel offers clean, safe, and affordable overnight lodging where travelers can connect with one another, share resources to reduce their impact on the planet, and experience the natural beauty of the Central Coast. The nonprofit is committed to making Monterey Bay more accessible by offering communal and private lodging to school groups, families, and travelers. Help make it happen!

HostelingOn is leading the industry by designing facilities that are more relevant to a post-pandemic climate where large dormitories and shared bathrooms are no longer sustainable. Their forward-thinking design and architecture introduces compartmentalized floor plans so each dorm and private room can be self-serving to allow reasonable social distancing. The design also increases the accessibility features of all properties to better serve travelers with accessible needs. They believe strategic architectural design is key to enabling hostels to operate efficiently and sustainably.

Mando's Restaurant, serving casual Mexican and American cuisine, offers catering! Whether it's a holiday gathering, a birthday party, or a company event, we're happy to help you make it special. Call Armando at 831-601-2537 for details.

Looking for fresh tamales this holiday season? We serve tamales year-round for dine-in and take-out at our restaurant, and they're available in quantities of 12 for catering. Mando's is located at 570 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey,

2024 calendars have arrived at Lighthouse Books! There are a wide variety of titles to choose from, but quantities are limited so be sure to visit us soon at 600 Lighthouse Ave in Monterey. We're open daily, 11am-6pm.

Put down that ho-hum bag of Hershey's kisses! Are you looking for a sweet treat to bring to a party or give to a friend this holiday season? Visit International Market and Deli at 580 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. We have a wide selection of delicious sweets from around the world.

On our shelves we have cookies and biscuits, packaged baklava, Armenian honey cake, Belgian chocolate covered medjool dates, Polish chocolate covered wafers, and hard candies in brightly colored wrappers. The packaging is beautiful and the taste is divine.

Whether you're looking for something cheerful to fill a candy dish or tasteful and elegant to present to a co-worker or client, we've got you covered.

The Lighthouse District invites the New Monterey community to come together in solidarity to support Kim Lawson, the sole owner and operator of Fashion Trade Boutique at 554 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Kim recently had open heart surgery after the onset of several heart attacks attributed to a rare heart condition. We encourage you to contribute whatever you can to Kim's GoFundMe campaign. Every donation makes a difference to Kim while she recovers at home under doctor's orders and attempts to keep her little boutique afloat during that time.

The objective is to alleviate the financial burden to enable Kim to solely concentrate on her health and wellness during this serious medical crisis.

About Kim
Kim is a compassionate and vibrant soul who welcomes you with her warm, engaging smile. She is an inspiring businesswoman who poured her heart and soul into creating something special: a vintage store for all genders called Fashion Trade. Her resilience as an entrepreneur mirrors her strength in facing her health challenges.

But what truly sets Kim apart is her unwavering kindness toward others. Her genuine warmth and cheerful spirit shine through from the minute you step into her shop, or you meet her by chance on the avenue.

Kim is the first to lend a helping hand, being the one who listens when others need support, and she extends her caring hand beyond her business. Renowned for her dedication to community service, she actively volunteers and has orchestrated many events to make a positive impact on others. She is a member of several service-oriented organizations including the Rotary Club of Carmel Valley. She is also a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Monterey Bay Restaurant Equipment sometimes gets in random stuff to liquidate and they just got in a large stash of stuff that is oh so VERY RANDOM indeed! Imagine something like the "As seen on TV" mall shops and the lost-and-found at a major airport stuck in the year 2010.

It's impossible to describe so look carefully at the photos for examples of what they just got in. All of it is marked down 50% and priced to move. If you're looking for some gag holiday gifts, gadgets, or odd stocking stuffers, pay a visit to their just opened second retail space (next door to their current location).

Monterey Bay Restaurant Equipment is located at at 497 Lighthouse Ave. in Monterey.

In honor of Small Business Saturday, the Lighthouse District wants to share with you a story of one of our own beloved business owners and community members, Kim Lawson.

Kim has experienced significant health challenges this fall, and we encourage you to stop by her shop, Fashion Trade. on Nov. 25, 11am-5pm, and Nov. 26, 2pm-5pm, and show your support, both personal and financial, during her recovery. (Shop for a good cause!) Read more below.

Running a small business is a journey filled with challenges, and through the years Kim Lawson, the owner of Fashion Trade, a vintage fashion shop at 554 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey, has faced those challenges head-on, often navigating the shop with minimal assistance.

However, life took an unexpected turn when Kim, active and in good health, experienced a heart attack. Subsequent heart attacks, attributed to a rare heart condition, led to open heart surgery.

In the face of adversity, the true heart of the community shone through. Members of the Rotary Club of Carmel Valley, of which Kim is a proud member, rallied around her. During her hospital stay in October and subsequent recovery, they selflessly stepped in to keep Fashion Trade alive, opening the store on weekends and ensuring the daily tasks were seamlessly handled.

The Rotarians are doing this because Kim Lawson is not just a talented businesswoman; she is a compassionate and vibrant soul who welcomes everyone with her engaging smile. Her resilience in business mirrors her strength in confronting health challenges. What sets her apart is her unwavering kindness toward others. Known for lending a helping hand and being a supportive listener, Kim actively participates in community service. A U.S. Army veteran, she is involved in multiple service-oriented organizations, making a positive impact through various events and initiatives.

Kim breathed life into Fashion Trade and its charming little yellow storefront on Lighthouse Avenue, curating a haven for fashion enthusiasts and offering a unique blend of special occasion attire and casual wear for both men and women since buying the shop a number of years ago.

Let's support Kim and her friends in this challenging time, and wish her a speedy recovery. Her prognosis is good, and we can't wait to see her smiling face back in Monterey's Lighthouse District when she's feeling better.

Bring Pearl Hour bottled cocktails home for your holiday celebrations! Sales will go live on Sunday, November 26 at 8am and orders will be ready for pick-up beginning December 6. You can now place your order here.

Pearl Hour cocktail bar is located at 214 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey.

Come on in to Mattress Nation for our biggest sale of the year! We've got excellent deals on great brands like Stearns & Foster, Tempur-Pedic, and Sealy Posturepedic during our Black Friday Sale, running now through December 6, 2023 at our showroom at 296 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey. We're open daily, 10am-6pm.

At Mattress Nation's Black Friday Sale, save up to $800 on select Stearns and Foster adjustable mattress sets, up to $500 on select Tempur-Pedic adjustable mattress sets, and up to $400 on select Sealy adjustable mattress sets. Take advantage of our last big sale of 2023.

Did you know that Mattress Nation is a locally-owned business? Here you'll get true customer service, great deals, one-on-one attention, and you'll be supporting people in your community.

Pamir Rugs and Kilims is holding an End of Year Sale featuring up to 60% off beautiful, high-quality rugs. Visit us at 237 Lighthouse Avenue in Monterey to view our wide selection of antique and handmade rugs in a variety of sizes and colors.