November 7 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Vallejo Grocery Outlet Hosts First Annual Adult Coloring Contest

Charles & Rajahnique Jones first moved to Vallejo 13 years ago and since opening their current store, the Grocery Outlet at 66 Admiral Callaghan Lane, they have looked for ways to engage with the community.

This fall, that meant a coloring contest.

“Honestly I’m really always just trying to find different ways to engage in the community, giving back and also supporting local businesses,” says Rajahnique Jones.

The coloring contest features artwork of Vallejo businesses all dressed up for Thanksgiving. After turning in their drawings, the winners will either win a gift card to the Grocery Outlet or the local business they choose to draw.

For the past three years, the two have owned and operated the Vallejo grocery  Outlet as active members of the community. Rajahnique Jones is the Chief Ambassador for the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce in addition to co-operating their store.

The two regularly purchase gift cards from local businesses and give them out to customers for different occasions, says Rajahnique.

“This was just another idea. I saw someone do a coloring contest and I said ‘you know what, I want to do one that focuses on Vallejo,’” she said.

The coloring pages feature Six Flags, Vino Godfather Winery, Bambino’s, The Grind Cafe, the Grocery Outlet and more with festive Thanksgiving scenery like turkeys, pumpkins and leaves.

Although it may be hard to tell, the coloring pages were made by AI. “I was able to go onto ChatGPT and ask what I wanted and it pushed them out,” she said.

When they posted the images and the coloring contest announcement on the Grocery Outlet Facebook, they received an outpouring of support and appreciation. “Just seeing the amount of positive feedback we are getting about this just shows that much more to me how much the community likes to promote local,” said Rajahnique.

After just one day of handing out the coloring pages, the Jones’ had to print more. “It’s actually been going really well,” she says. “A lot of people have been picking them up and I can’t wait to start seeing the pictures coming back into the store. Even my employees have joined in as well.”

The coloring pages are available for pick up in store and the deadline for drop off is Nov. 17, when several employees at the Grocery Outlet will narrow down the competition. “Then I’ll go ahead and post them on our social media, our Facebook, so that our customers can help finalize who the winners are going to be,” says Jones.

Hosting events and activities like the Thanksgiving Coloring Contest are important to businesses and to patrons, says Jones. “I love Vallejo. I know Vallejoans love Vallejo and also are looking for ways to give back,” she says.

If you go …

• WHAT: Thanksgiving Adult Coloring Contest
• WHEN: Nov. 1-17
• WHERE: Vallejo Grocery Outlet, 66 Admiral Callaghan Lane, Vallejo