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In Paramount, small businesses are more than just places of commerce—they are gathering hubs of the community where neighbors meet and culture thrives. From local coffee shops like Horchateria Rio Luna, to specialty stores like Cassandra Party Land, these establishments shape the City’s identity. But how do you find all these hidden gems if you’ve never been to Paramount before?
To help shine a light on some of the wonderful businesses that Paramount has to offer, the City launched its first Small Business Video Spotlight Contest. Through this contest, participants were tasked with capturing the essence of a local business of their choice in a 30-second to 1-minute marketing reel. With categories for high school students, amateurs (18 and over), and professionals, the winners received gift cards and were featured on Explore Paramount’s social media. As an added bonus, the City purchased gift cards from the businesses showcased in a winning video, matching their category winnings to be raffled off on the Explore Paramount social media pages later this year.
First-place winners in each category were also honored at the City Council meeting on January 14.
Kylan, a member of the first-place winning high school team, shared how their team came together under the guidance of Mr. Sewell from Paramount High School. “The project was a special opportunity tied to our community, allowing us to replace a class assignment with something that directly supported our local businesses,” Kylan shared.
The team’s video focused on Casa Adelita, a local restaurant known for its vibrant atmosphere and live entertainment. Kylan explained that their project not only highlighted the business but also gave them a chance to creatively show what makes it special to the community. “It was exciting to capture the energy and culture of a place like Casa Adelita,” continued Kylan, “and share the story of the spot in a way that resonates with the community.”
Other videos that won first place included Gracias Cafecito by Juliette Medina (18 and over category) and Novella Western Apparel by Julio Diaz Venegas (professional category), both of which emphasize their contributions to the community. These videos, along with others in the contest, exemplify how communities can come together to support and uplift their small businesses, reinforcing the City’s commitment to fostering a thriving, connected environment.
In addition to the first-place winners, the following videos earned second and third place.
- Second Place:
- Alpha Motor Sports by Cesar Avalos (high school category)
- Exotic Nails by Melissa Torres (18 and over category)
- Punkys Ice Cream by Magno Portilla (professional category)
- Third Place:
- Teaching Aids to Go by Bianca Ramirez (18 and over category)
- Uniq HQ by Gustavo Chacon (professional category)
To learn more about Paramount’s local businesses, visit Explore Paramount’s website.
