By Theodore Lonsway Finn McCool's Lula Cocina Mexicana
Editor: For the record, the Omelet Parlor is not the only business on Main Street that is appalled by what has happened with the farmer's market. This marketplace has more in common with the Venice Boardwalk than it does to a true farmer's market. It has grown beyond the original intent, which was to provide the community with fresh produce, into an absolute zoo, complete with the pony ride.
Mr. Bloch's letter was not only mean spirited but was lacking in factual content to the point where it was almost comical. Taking cheap shots at the Omelet Parlor may have made Mr. Bloch feel better, but he completely ignores the fact that this activity has produced a tremendous parking problem. It may be true that most of the people walk to the farmer's market, but enough of them drive to create a traffic grid-lock on Sunday morning. His argument of the market evolving into what the public wants does not justify the fact that it violates its conditional use permit.
Mr. Bloch is certainly entitled to eat breakfast for less than $9 and this is why we have Denny's and Norm's. I own and operate two restaurants on Main Street and I could care less what they sell at the farmer's market. What I do resent is the fact that absolutely nothing has been done to address the parking problem created by this Sunday morning activity.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 25, 2002. Read the original PDF.