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Comments from Suzy Frank - Abbot Kinney Building Owner

Sorry but I don't get involved in politics.  Yes, Pinkberry was not a chain store when the lease was signed over a year ago. Thank you for continuing concern about the boulevard.

We asked her if she cared to add anything to her quote for our supporters, and this was her reply:

In the short time that Pinkberry has been open,  it has increased foot traffic on Abbot Kinney.  Foot traffic is good for merchants, and what Is good for merchants is good for the street.  In my opinion, it would be a shame to do anything that in any way inhibits Pinkberry's opportunity to do business.  Many of the local merchants have come to thank me personally because their business has increased significantly, therefore, helping the small business owner stay in business.
 
Another way to address this issue is to ask the question --- Are people more or less likely to come to Abbot Kinney because Pinkberry is open?  Let's say for example, Surfing Cowboys, Family Garden, French 50-60's etc... due to it's success on Abbot Kinney were to open a store in San Diego or anywhere else for that matter, and then due to it's success in it's new location open a third and then fourth store in other locations, would that diminish it's value as part of the eclectic mix of retail stores on the street?  This same question can be asked of any other retail establishment on Abbot Kinney Blvd.

Venice Unchained responds:

Suzy states that what is good for merchants is good for the street.  Corporate chains often pay higher rents and undercut the local independent store owner on pricing, eventually driving out smaller businesses. We believe that building owners can get a fair return on their investment while balancing the needs of the merchants and of the community at large.  Once a neighborhood turns there is no going back!

As for whether or not more people will come to AK because of Pinkberry, we believe the answer ultimately is no.  Venice is L.A.'s number 2 tourist destination precisely because nothing like it exists anywhere else.  Pinkberry as a franchiser is exploding, and there will soon be Pinkberrys everywhere. (One is coming this fall to Main Street.)  If the chains take over our street, people will no longer have a reason to come here, as the unique character of AK will be gone.

If Surfing Cowboys, Family Garden, or French 50’s-60's were to open other stores in the region, their value on AK would be undiminished.  They would still not be defined as a chain store for the purposes of the ordinance as their products and service are not standardized. The ordianance will set a minimum number of locations (typically 5 to 12) for a business to be considered a chain. We are encouraging the city council to model the ordinance after the one in place in Coronado, which has held up in court.  It defines a chain this way:

“Formula Retail" means a type of retail sales activity or retail sales establishment (other than a "formula fast food restaurant") which is required by contractual or other arrangement to maintain any of the following: standardized ("formula") array of services and/or merchandise, trademark, logo, service mark, symbol, decor, architecture, layout, uniform, or similar standardized feature.