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You Won’t Believe What 3,300+ Locals Do Every Thanksgiving Morning
You Won’t Believe What 3,300+ Locals Do Every Thanksgiving Morning
Hint: it involves running, costumes, and a whole lot of community spirit.
Robert Brennan
Nov 18, 2025
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A Thanksgiving Ritual Rooted in Community
Before the turkey’s in the oven and the parade hits full swing, more than 3,300 locals kick off their Thanksgiving morning with sneakers on and smiles wide at the Long Beach Turkey Trot. Held annually on Thanksgiving Day, the 5K/10K run/walk invites participants of all ages—and even four-legged friends—to hit the beach path for a cause that feeds the soul and the city.
Organized by Justin Rudd and his nonprofit Community Action Team, the event helps stock the shelves of the AIDS Food Store of Long Beach. Each runner is encouraged to bring canned goods to donate alongside their registration, making every footstep count for something greater.
Races with Personality
What sets this Turkey Trot apart? It’s got charm, character, and just enough quirk. With two start times (7:30 AM and 9:00 AM), the flat beachfront course begins at the Granada Boat Launch ramp and offers stunning ocean views to runners of all paces.
And for the younger crowd, the ½-mile Kids Wingding—set for around 8:40 AM—gives little trotters a moment to shine. Expect plenty of costumes, high-fives, and proud family moments that make for perfect photo ops.
More Than a Run for Thanksgiving
The Turkey Trot is more than a race—it’s a gathering that threads generosity through tradition. Volunteers cheer on runners. Neighbors reconnect over shared strides. Dogs in turkey costumes earn belly rubs. It's a moment when Belmont Shore feels like the living room of Long Beach, and everyone is welcome.
Registration includes a race shirt and supports ongoing programs by the Community Action Team. And if you're not into running, cheering from the sidelines is just as welcome. Either way, it’s a chance to give back before you dig in to your Thanksgiving feast.
Long Beach Turkey Trot Run/Walk & Kids ½-Mile Wingding Read More... |
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• The bridge opened in October 2020, replacing the Gerald Desmond |
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Long Beach Camerata Singers: Candlelight Christmas: Step into a glow‑filled evening with the Camerata Singers in a full candlelight concert of timeless carols and new choral works.
December 2, 2025, 7:30 PM · St. Cornelius Catholic Church, 5500 E Wardlow Rd, Long Beach, CA 90808 · Tickets required
The Long Beach Nutcracker: The 42nd annual production by the Long Beach Ballet features a full symphony orchestra, flying sleigh, real live horse, on‑stage pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 250 — a festive standout for families and holiday magic.
December 13‑21, 2025 · Terrace Theater, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802 · Tickets on sale
A Gift of Christmas with Victory Boyd: An intimate acoustic evening with singer‑songwriter Victory Boyd in seasonal setting — perfect for a relaxed, soulful holiday outing.
December 19, 2025 · Long Beach, CA · Tickets required
Thanksgiving at Sky Room: Enjoy an elevated buffet with carving stations, seafood towers, seasonal sides and desserts — all with a sweeping harbor view.
November 27, 2025 · 12:00 PM–6:00 PM · Sky Room at Fairmont Breakers Long Beach, 210 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802 · Reservations required via OpenTable
Thanksgiving Lunch at Aquarium of the Pacific: Celebrate Thanksgiving brunch‑style at the Aquarium with views of the exhibits and a holiday buffet.
November 27, 2025 · 10:30 AM–3:00 PM · Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 · Tickets required
Thanksgiving At Shenanigans: A festive local pub vibe — turkey or ham feast plus live music by Babylon Rockers from 4–9 PM. November 27, 2025 · 12:00 PM–9:00 PM · Shenanigans Irish Pub & Grille, 423 Shoreline Village Dr, Ste A, Long Beach, CA 90802 · Dinner specials |
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Twice Threaded Brings Curated Secondhand Fashion to Belmont Shore |
A boutique-style resale shop opens on 2nd Street with a mission rooted in sustainability, style, and community impact. |
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Ribbon Cutting on 2nd Street
A scissors-cutting ceremony unfolded Wednesday as Twice Threaded celebrated its grand opening on 2nd Street. The event, supported by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Long Beach Small Business Council, drew a lively crowd into Belmont Shore. With black and white balloons framing the storefront and shoppers gathering for photos, the opening felt like more than a routine ribbon cutting. It marked the arrival of a polished, sustainability-driven resale boutique and a potential new chapter for the street itself.
Two security guards stood by the entrance, a quiet reminder of the safety concerns local retailers have been navigating in recent months. Their presence didn’t overshadow the moment, but it signaled the realities of operating a physical shop on a changing street.
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Second Life for Clothing Is a Business Model
Behind the neatly displayed, pre-loved clothing is USAgain, a Chicago-based textile recycling company known for its green clothing collection bins across the country. Instead of sending all collected textiles to recycling processors or overseas markets, the Twice Threaded concept pulls high-quality pieces from the national stream and brings them back to local communities in a clean and curated retail environment.
The idea is simple: give clothing a meaningful second life while offering shoppers a place to find stylish pieces at accessible prices. Most items fall between $12 and $60, with only a few reaching the $100 range. The pricing reflects their goal of staying affordable while keeping quality standards high.
Inside, the store feels organized and intentional. Bright lighting, curated shoe displays, circular racks, and tall mirrors create a space that feels more like a small fashion boutique than a traditional thrift store. A small seating area near the front adds familiar comfort and gives shoppers room to pause.
Twice Threaded’s Commitment to Long Beach
Twice Threaded is the first retail store launched under USAgain, and leadership made it clear the company is committed to Long Beach for the long term. During the ribbon cutting, CEO Mattias Wallander told the crowd, “This is our first retail store as Twice Threaded… hopefully one of many. But there will never be another first store, and it’s here in Belmont Shore.”
Store Manager Daniella J. Najera emphasized the brand’s values, sharing that the space was built on creativity, sustainability, and community-centered thinking. She noted that for every $100 spent in the store, the company sponsors the planting of a tree, reinforcing its mission to blend fashion and environmental responsibility.
The internal tone was consistent: this store isn’t a pilot or a market test. It’s the start of what USAgain hopes will become a lasting retail presence supported by sustainability, curated shopping, and a broad demographic appeal.
Why This Model Stands Out From Traditional Thrift
Twice Threaded sets itself apart through selective inventory, curated displays, and a refined shopping experience. Instead of relying solely on community donation streams, the company pulls a narrow percentage of high-quality items from its nationwide collection system. The result is an inventory that feels intentional rather than overwhelming.
Self-checkout stations are scheduled to be activated soon, offering convenience while reducing wait times during busier hours. Clean presentations, modern lighting, and consistent pricing place Twice Threaded in a unique position between thrift and boutique, signaling a shift in how secondhand retail is being reimagined.
Online Retail Transitioning to Foot Traffic
For years, resale platforms like eBay, Depop, and Poshmark shaped the secondhand fashion world through digital marketplaces. Now, those shopping behaviors are returning to physical spaces. Twice Threaded taps into this shift, offering the immediacy and discovery that online browsing can’t replicate.
Younger shoppers especially are returning to in-person resale, seeking quality pieces they can see and feel. Twice Threaded aligns with this trend, bringing curated browsing to a street that has traditionally supported boutique-style stores.
Security at the Door Reflects Changing Retail Conditions
As many local retailers know, rising theft, late-night incidents, and the general cost of preventive safety measures have challenged businesses along 2nd Street. The presence of two security guards during the opening event reflects these realities. It’s a measure new retailers increasingly adopt to protect customers, staff, and merchandise, especially during high-traffic events.
While the store’s opening was celebratory, this small detail underscores the shifting landscape for businesses that choose to invest in the area.
A Street in Transition
Second Street has seen its share of turnover in recent years. Vacant storefronts, rising rents, and operational challenges have made it difficult for independent shops to survive. New buildouts, modern shelving, and security staffing often require deeper resources than traditional mom-and-pop shops can manage.
Twice Threaded arrives with a different type of backing: not a national retail giant, but a well-supported sustainability company with the infrastructure to handle fluctuating conditions. Their arrival hints at what the next phase of 2nd Street may look like — a mix of independent retailers, restaurants, and well-capitalized concepts that can navigate the modern demands of brick-and-mortar retail.
What Twice Threaded Means for the Neighborhood
This new arrival doesn’t replace the street’s character but adds a new layer to it. Not quite boutique, not quite thrift, Twice Threaded brings a curated, sustainability-focused option that may help draw more foot traffic to a street working to regain stability.
It remains to be seen how this blend of community, curation, and organizational support will shape 2nd Street, but one thing is certain: Twice Threaded chose Belmont Shore as the first stop in its retail journey, suggesting confidence in the neighborhood’s long-term potential.
As 2nd Street continues to evolve, Twice Threaded’s arrival adds both optimism and momentum, offering residents a new destination where sustainability and style meet in the heart of Belmont Shore.
Event Details
📍 Twice Threaded – Curated Secondhand Fashion
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