The Westwood Village Improvement Association is finding new ways to engage students and community members.

Events held in Westwood throughout the academic year – such as the annual Westwood Village Block Party and monthly Bruin Flea – seek to encourage students to interact with Westwood businesses and other small vendors, said Megan Furey, the director of programs and partnerships for WVIA.

Luis Lopez, the founder and creative director of the monthly Westwood market Bruin Flea, said he finds it important to promote local and small businesses. Lopez, a UCLA alumnus, added that Bruin Flea’s collaborations with Westwood businesses, such as clothing store Vintage Inspired, have been successful.

“We’ve really, really tried to keep the genuine, one-on-one, small business feel,” Lopez said. “I’m always open to collaboration with the Westwood businesses, or vendors that have ideas or artists and DJs.”

The market received 40 to 50 vendor applications per month two years ago – but now, it receives around 120, Lopez said. He added that it is challenging to balance maintaining relationships while accommodating new merchants because there is limited space in every market.

Kiera Desai, a third-year English student, said events such as the Bruin Flea give her an opportunity to explore cafes and restaurants in Westwood.

“It’s just fun to… explore Westwood as a whole and get a feel for the whole college town,” Kiera said. “Because we’re so busy during the school week, it’s hard to actually get out there.”

The association – which helps coordinate logistics for the Bruin Flea – also hosts the weekly Westwood Village Farmers’ Market, which features food, clothing and live music. In addition, WVIA hosts the Westwood Village Block Party at the start of fall quarter, which has food, games and pop-ups from local vendors.

Furey said the conversion of Broxton Plaza into a pedestrian area in February brought more visitors into the area.

The plaza opening was the first major event of the year and required coordination between UCLA departments to host speakers such as Chancellor Julio Frenk, she added. The opening also involved the UCLA spirit squad, UCLA Government and Community Relations and Charlie Kratus – who runs the Good Morning UCLA Instagram account – as the emcee, Furey said.

“It’s so important to have them (UCLA) have official buy-in, and be a part of it and show this support to the village,” Furey said.

WVIA attempts to establish relationships with local businesses, Furey added. Additionally, WVIA sends flyers to businesses for the Westwood Village Block Party, in order to encourage them to participate and to have as many vendors as possible at the event, she said.

“It’s a mixture of personal connections, and then boots-on-the-ground talking to businesses, email communications, phone calls, in person meetings,” Furey said.

WVIA also worked with groups such as the Bruin Auto Club and the UCLA Ski and Snowboard Club to host events in Westwood, Furey added. She said she hopes to continue engaging with students in the future.

James Harris, a third-year economics student and the president of the Bruin Auto Club, said the club worked closely with Westwood Village to make their May 31 “Westwood Cars & Coffee” event run smoothly, including by ensuring there was enough room for fire trucks to pass the cars on display.

The goal of the event was to bring people to Westwood, Harris said. He added that he believes there should be more social events, incentivizing people to come into the area.

“That could be really cool for Westwood… and UCLA – to have the chance for people to connect, just by hanging out in Westwood,” Harris said.

WVIA is open to ideas for events from students, Furey said.

“We always love those recommendations, especially from students, and what they would like to see in the village,” Furey said.