It's time to fill the vacancies. We have more empty shops, thrift stores, and churches than you could throw the good book at. Our prime real estate is consumed by church after church, vacant stores, restaurants that close early and so on. What about some foot-traffic-inducing businesses that are open seven days a week, morning to night? That's what's going to save us. Once the "not in my town" attiude is gone, the light will shine on the fact that that attitude is what's keeping us where we are. We might be able to say "look at what's in our town."
I present to you Starbucks.
Starbucks. They're a brand, they have a consistent product, and they have a following. They also produce foot-traffic. Oh, and so hot on the Walmart issue, Starbucks provides insurance to their partners. Maybe you like them, maybe you don't, but thats the same as Miller over Budweiser over Coors. Taste, preferance, is all up to the individual, and you have a choice. In Altadena, we have the Coffee Gallery. And we have the Coffee Gallery. If you perhaps wanted a Starbucks coffee, you become the CG-destroying not wanting to shop locally, horrible citizen. If you choose to drive, you must drive for 10-15 minutes just to get a coffee. It turns into a half-hour to hour affair.
What if I don't want to drive that far? I don't have a choice. All the not in my town, has kept businesses out, and thus forces us to step outside to get something that we desire.
**Clarification; CG, I do enjoy your shop and in no way is this a trash the CG article.**
Here's what I did. It was actually really easy.
I Googled the Starbucks Corporate number and called them. I explained where I was from and I was given three numbers to representatives for the SGV. In two phone calls, I was on the phone with "Josh" (name has been changed), who is the representative for our area.
Josh was well aware of the Walmart issue. However, I explained to him that there were vacant lots near where the Walmart would be and he was interested. We talked about the pros and cons of all sides, and how negotiating in towns and cities can be hard.
What was interesting to find out from speaking to Josh was that he said that "Starbucks has been trying to break into the Altadena market for years." They were originally looking into Lake and Washington or Lake and Woodbury. Josh explained that they try to situate themselves on main arterial corridors. He said they were really looking for a drive-thru format location, but I told him that space is limited and they would have a hard time, and suggested a regular location first. As we continued talking I said to him, that I was pretty sure if they looked too close to CG, they would get run out of town. I suggested that he look farther up north on Lake, and they might have success.
So here is a company that wants to come in, but has never found the right space. We talked about Hastings Ranch having two locations, blocks apart, and they both do fine. He then brought up Sierra Madre and said, "You tell me. Have we really run Bean Town out of business?" The answer is NO. Bean Town and Starbucks co-exist four doors apart, and they both have business.
It's time to get some foot traffic. Josh said that he had been up Lake recently visiting friends, and noticed vacancies. He mentioned 2507. I said to him, there is a number on the door, with a for rent sign. I said that would be a good location because there is cross-related traffic, and parking. Cigarettes, coffee, and alcohol, all go hand in hand when you think about it. Whether or not you use any of those is your business. He agreed. That location would get cross traffic, late-night bar business, smoke shop traffic. If that were to happen, Altadena residents wouldnt have to drive to other cities to get Starbucks.
Josh said he would have his broker look into the vacancies and make contacts. He thanked me for the call, and again said that they had been looking for so long. Sometimes saying yes, actually helps.
The beauty of corporate and independent is that they can co-exist in harmony. If you want the mismatched furniture, knick knacks, art for sale, funky coffee shop, you can have it. It you want the stylized Starbucks image, and that brand you can have it.
Sierra Madre seems to make it work. Pasadena has countless Starbucks, as well as Zona Rosa, Jones, Zephyr, and they all have business.
Altadena, its time - "not in my town" needs to become "in my town"
Next call, Trader Joes Corporate, to see if they want the O'Reiley Location.
Daron Anderson
http://instacanv.as/daron727
