By Theresa Stocking
I have owned and operated a small furniture store on Main Street in Santa Monica for over five years. I survived El Nino the first year, lack of capital the second, the IRS the third, but it appears that the fifth year of business might be the last for me.
I believe the major reason for my past success on Main Street was because of the wonderful furniture displays I was allowed to put in front of my store. I was informed eight months ago that I was no longer allowed to do this. Since then my sales revenue has dropped over 50 percent.
This sudden law enforcement has had a devastating effect on my small business. Clients are constantly telling me they thought I had gone out of business because they don’t see a display outside any longer. You would never be able to find my store if it wasn’t for the furniture outside. There is no display window in front of my building; I have only a small doorway and front window.
I originally chose this location because I had seen businesses displaying their product outside of their stores. I had always thought of Main Street as a being a very eclectic street because of all of the different wares for sale on the sidewalk. Now, five years later, the street just looks generic and blasé. I would never have chosen Main Street for my new business location if I had known what it would turn into.
Since given the final warning I have not put anything outside except for a few park benches. The very first week I did not have a display outside my sales dropped 30 percent. There is no getting around the fact that in order for this small business to survive I will need the help of the City Council. I will probably not last another six months at this rate. I have offered this community furniture at outstanding prices for over five years. I believe I have contributed greatly to this city, and feel that it is a shame I will no longer be able to do that.
I am not sure what the benefits are for this law, and have questioned it several times to several different inspectors. I have gotten a different answer every time. I was told it was a safety issue. If that was the case why am I not allowed to put a card rack out? Or when I had put a small bistro set out right in front of the building they changed their tune and said that it was against the law to have anything for sale outside. Which is it?
I am no longer able to get large shipments of furniture in because I have no rear loading. I received a warning on a shipment day, even though I was actively loading the furniture into the store. Now my inventory has been affected.
I am confused about what the agenda is for the city council. Do they want the city to become deserted of all small businesses? Is the Gap, Banana Republic, and Pottery Barn the only types of retail businesses that can afford to stay alive in this town? Between the atrocious parking conditions, the city taxes, and all of the red tape businesses have to deal with in this town, I can see why there are so many vacancies and such a high turnover rate.
There is no compromising on the behalf of the city, I am not able to get a loading permit, temporary use permit, nor can I put a small display on the property that I was told belonged to me right in front of the store.
I am not a quitter, I have survived the odds before, and intend to fight until the very end, but I have to admit I am now almost at the end of my rope.
This issue is one of the topics of the next city council meeting, and I am hoping my story will not fall on deaf ears. The city council has the ability to make or break small “mom and pop” stores such as mine. I hope they realize the kind of power they hold and use it in a manner which helps small businesses not only survive, but thrive in this wonderful city.
Some information about my little furniture store: I offer the most affordable prices on vintage and imported furniture in town. Nothing was over $200.00 in the entire store when I first started out. I offer something to the community that nobody else does in Santa Monica. You may recall my location because you saw furniture outside all the time. Yes, I am still in business, please stop in! (Theresa Stocking owns Eclectic Avenue Furniture, located at 2307 Main Street.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 28, 2003. Read the original PDF.