For Businesses – Metro Eat Shop Play

Learn about the benefits of Eat Shop Play for businesses.

Metro is building new transit connections — rail projects, bus rapid transit, and bike lanes — that have the potential to bring new visitors and customers to local businesses. Eat Shop Play supports local businesses throughout construction by providing:

Virtual marketing webinars that train and upskill business owners for a changing economic landscape (with options for flexible, multilingual learning)
One-on-one coaching sessions that help business owners set and work toward professional goals
Professional onsite photo / video shoots (on a case-by-base basis as opportunities arise)
Additional promotion in print and digital campaigns (as opportunities arise)

Enrolling and participation in Eat Shop Play is FREE to local businesses within a quarter mile of select project alignments. There are no strings attached, ever!

Already enrolled in Eat Shop Play? Interested in enrolling?

Upcoming Eat Shop Play Webinar

How Customers Find Your Business on Yelp, Apple Maps, and More

Friday, March 27, 2026
9:00-9:45 a.m. (followed by Q&A)

Have you ever searched for your business online and found it listed on a site you’ve never heard of? Why does that happen — and how?

In this webinar, we’ll show you how search engines, review platforms, and map apps share data to display information about your business online. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how listings work, and how to make sure your information is accurate so customers can find you.

To register via phone, please call (323) 741-2917

Past Webinars

Make Your Business Easy to find on Google

Friday, February 27, 2026

This webinar explained the basics of the Google Business Profile (GBP), a free tool that lets customers see the hours, location, photos, and reviews of businesses they search for. Understanding this tool is essential to showing up at the top of Google search results.

Check out a teaser below!

Recent Webinar Topics Covered

Below is a selection of topics that our webinars have covered. If you’re interested in learning more, enroll today!

Introduction to the Google Merchant Center
Introduction to Social Media Marketing
Content that Clicks: What to Say, Show & Share on Social Media
Use YouTube to Grow Your Business: Tips from a Google Expert
Website Foundations: Build and Improve with Confidence
Browsers into Buyers: Turn Visitors into Customers

What Business Owners Say About Us

"We’re not in the business of doing social media – we’re running a whole business with a small team, wearing a million hats. Social media is just one more thing on the list, so we need it to be easy. That’s why the Accelerate workshops are so helpful. Things are always changing, and even if you think you’ve got it down, there’s always something new to learn. It’s free info – why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?"

“The workshop was very impressive and I learned a lot. We’re about to re-open our corner restaurant right next to the Wilshire/La Cienega station, so we want to be involved in a big way!”

“The workshop was very informative. It made me want to sign up for a 1-on-1 consultation!”

“I went into my coaching session with high expectations. Running a business is hard work – and I didn’t want to waste any time. The session was 100% worth it. I came out of it with a much better grasp of the pros and cons of various social media platforms and which make the most sense for my business.”

"I’d definitely recommend the one-on-one! The marketing coach pointed out easy ways I could improve my brand that I hadn’t ever thought of before."

"I’ve had two coaching sessions and they both surpassed my expectations. The marketing expert did a great job of identifying places to improve on our website and then building on his findings in the next session."

Frequently Asked Questions

What do we offer?

Eat Shop Play helps small business owners increase their visibility through free digital marketing webinars designed to elevate their online presence. Enrolled businesses will gain valuable insights through free tips, tricks, and tools provided by experts and industry leaders. Registered businesses can also be featured in Metro’s local marketing campaigns, including banners, e-blasts, and social media promotions.

How much does it cost to join the program?

The program is free to participating businesses.

Who is eligible to join Eat Shop Play?

Businesses must be businesses that provide a product, experience, or service. Schools, religious institutions, and government agencies are not eligible. Qualifying businesses fall into three general categories:

Eat: Restaurants, cafes, coffee-shops, catering businesses, and pubs that serve food. Bars that do not serve food are not eligible.
Shop: Retail shops as well as services such as salons, mechanics, and professional services.
Play: Museums, arcades, and fitness, recreation, and subscription-based spaces such as co-working spaces or social clubs.
The following business types are excluded from participation: liquor stores, adult/sexual content, medical marijuana clinics, weapons, and schools and non-profit businesses engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs. For more information, please see Metro’s advertising guidelines.

Does Eat Shop Play provide grants or financial assistance?

No. However, Metro’s Business Interruption Fund (BIF) is another construction mitigation program dedicated to assisting mom-and-pops through one-time grants. Find more information here.

Does Eat Shop Play assist with internal business practices, such as record-keeping and human relations?

Not at the moment. Eat Shop play helps business owners promote their businesses, whether that takes place through online learning, one-on-one coaching sessions, or Metro marketing campaigns.

How long can my business stay in the program?

Business participation is renewed annually and can continue until the project reaches a steady state of completion.

How do I sign up?

Enrolling is easy and free. Sign up for Metro Eat Shop Play Business..