Here are your responses to this week’s Q-Line question: “Do you think the Promenade is too homogenized? Will limiting storefronts fix the perceived problem?” ridiculous. People don’t come from all over the LA area, in fact from all over the world, to see a ma and pa store. Unfortunately, whether people of Santa Monica — and I am a resident of Santa Monica — get it or not, they come here because the shopping is among the best in the LA area. They come here, believe it or not, for the Pottery Barns, the Gaps, the Old Navys, the Abercrombies, Banana Republics, etc. Rarely, if ever, do they come for a store which probably couldn’t afford to get a lease the way the mall is right now, anyway. The only businesses that can afford to continue to be there are the chain stores, again, perhaps unfortunately, perhaps not. It’s time for people in Santa Monica to not try to make the world the way it should be, but to take a look at the way the world really is and try to make that a better place.” ■ “I think this is another example of micro-management by the City Council. The 50-foot-wide rule is a stupid attempt to keep out retail chains. I don’t know what the answer is. I don’t think it will fix the problem. I think the problem is that the Promenade is more like an arcade fun zone rather than a serious business area. I’m not sure why. I’m a long-time Santa Monica resident and avoid going to that area whenever possible. It’s just too full of tourists, homeless and street performers for my taste.” ■ “Even though it is homogenized, it needs to be pasteurized to protect residents and visitors from undesirable elements.” ■ “It really doesn’t matter. Perhaps the location of some big chain stores in the area might help. They may have some plow to take care of the bum problem in this city. In any event, the Promenade is pretty much on a decline and local residents probably don’t go there very often, and if they do, it’s probably only to catch a movie. I certainly wouldn’t shop there or go there for any other purpose.” ■ “I believe the Promenade is getting too homogenized and I believe limiting storefronts will fix the problem.” ■ “There are too many company-owned stores on the Promenade. We don’t have any stores where a low-income person can shop. Also we should not have any stores or restaurants with outside seating which blocks the pathways for the customers who have to walk in the street. I think Santa Monica is going to pot.” ■ “I think it is too homogenized, and it’s too bad that the City Council has tried so hard over the years to get rid of the small businessmen and now they want them back. When are they ever going to learn? It’s unreal anymore. I hope for the best and would like to get the town back to the way it used to be.” ■ “The majority of buildings along the Third Street Promenade are owned by local real estate entities. The reason why small or local businesses cannot function on the Promenade is the cost of rents. Levis-Strauss is paying $45,000 per month — that’s not an easy nut to crack.” ■ “Laissez-faire.” ■ “Limiting the storefronts will not improve the Promenade. Santa Monica’s City Council is the city’s worst enemy, along with the homeless. The truth is Santa Monica can’t compete with the Grove and I’m sure that a lot of people have been going there. Even after they clean the Promenade, it still smells, and who wants to walk down the Promenade when it reeks like a toilet? They need to do something about the homeless. Maybe then something will change about the Promenade. The Promenade is a dead horse and nothing can revive it. The City Council needs to get off their butts and do something other than spend money and make excuses for the homeless because come March, or whenever the primaries are, I think we might see a big change. With Arnold elected, people are sick and tired of the attitude of this City Council, and I think a lot of them may be voted out. They need to take a good look at themselves before they fall on their arses (sic).” ■ “Is the Promenade too homogenized? Yes, but I don’t think that limiting storefronts will fix the problem. They have already driven out long-term Santa Monica businesses — from the Pep Boys to Nana to the small restaurants. No one is left and no one can afford to get back in, so this is not a solution.” ■ “No, the Promenade is not too homogenized and limiting storefronts is
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 17, 2003. Read the original PDF.