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Well THAT would kinda suck !: Vic's Beverly Hills a goner? |
christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
|  Posted: 2006-04-05 1:09 pm Permalink
More pictures of Trader Vics BH, courtesy of Critiki:
http://www.critiki.com/cgi-bin/pictures.cgi?loc_id=15
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Humuhumu
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: Aug 22, 2002
Posts: 3536
From: San Francisco
| Posted: 2006-04-05 1:37 pm Permalink
The Los Angeles Modcom group held an emergency meeting last night; they are working feverishly to put together plans to stop this. They'd love to have help. They're working on setting up a Yahoo! email account for the effort; until they have that set up, you can contact Chris Nichols if you already know him and have his contact info, or PM me and I'll give you his email address (I don't want to post it online). Hopefully they'll have a Yahoo! account by later today.
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tikibars
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 11, 2002
Posts: 2014
From: Aku Hall, Chicago
| Posted: 2006-04-05 1:38 pm Permalink
I find these reports of people walking out with the decor to be curious.
Sure, the glassware and menus will vanish, but historically all of the Tikis and substantial items have been reclaimed and stored by the Trader Vic's people, to be used in future restaurant openings.
From their earliest 1970s closures right up to the closing of Chicago a few months ago, they've always kept the good stuff to reuse.
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tikijackalope
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 23, 2003
Posts: 814
From: KS/MO
| Posted: 2006-04-05 3:46 pm Permalink
How successful are preservation efforts in LA in a case like this in which the *owner* wants to destroy/alter the property? It doesn't have the same sympathy factor as a case involving a city seizing a property by eminent domain evokes.
What about an appeal to those vintage celebrities who are always being seen at TVs? If you end up trying to lead a customer-based campaign targeted at the hotel, they have name, voice and face recognition which might rally lesser-known people to write letters and emails.
Also, are there any local ordinances or hot-button issues in Beverly Hills that can be utilized to discourage such a construction project (aside from the height issue)? Traffic along Santa Monica affected by the construction, water-usage issues...anything like that?
Good luck!
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[ This Message was edited by: tikijackalope 2006-04-06 20:11 ]
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SoccerTiki
Grand Member (6 years) 
Joined: Feb 24, 2005
Posts: 1727
From: TheSoccerTikiGrotto, Island of LongBeach
| Posted: 2006-04-05 6:32 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2006-04-05 08:32, Digitiki wrote:
Any word on whether or not they are going to reopen in LA? It seems that TV's is undergoing a resurgence - opening new locations and all. It would be a shame to leave a city like LA without a Vic's.
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How many years has it been now since we had a football team in LA???? I don't think I could wait that long for the next Kamaaina!!!
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2006-04-06 12:45 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2006-04-05 15:46, tikijackalope wrote:
How successful are preservation efforts in LA in a case like this in which the *owner* wants to destroy/alter the property? It doesn't have the same sympathy factor as a case involving a city seizing a property by imminent domain evokes.
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The Derby in Los Feliz has presented a very similar issue. This is the status, according to the Los Angeles Conservancy: http://www.laconservancy.org/issues/issues_list.php4#feliz
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tikijackalope
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 23, 2003
Posts: 814
From: KS/MO
| Posted: 2006-04-06 3:20 pm Permalink
As covered in other posts, Trader Vic's is the oldest tiki bar on Route 66 and is the only one of any appreciable age. The 66 connection might ramp up the appeal for preservation. There is a California Historic Route 66 Association, http://www.wemweb.com/chr66a/ , but I don't know how politically active they are.
Of tangential interest is the controversy over Rod's Grill in Arcadia.
Last I knew, Rod's was endangered by the city of Arcadia which has already filed eminent domain against one of its neighbors in an effort to allow for expansion of a Mercedes dealership: http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=132849 and http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_3591421
There have been some protests, but I don't know the current state of their effectiveness.
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WooHooWahine
Grand Member (7 years) 
Joined: Mar 04, 2005
Posts: 2902
From: Mission (Impossible) Viejo, Ca
| Posted: 2006-04-07 08:01 am Permalink
Today's Los Angeles Times Calendar Section has an article titled: "Tiki Tacky? Not to fans of Trader Vic's" on page 1 and continued on page E 22. It tells all about a developer's plan to say bye-bye to the home of the mai tai 
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Michigan Rummy
Member
Joined: Oct 18, 2005
Posts: 4
From: Detroit
| Posted: 2006-04-07 09:09 am Permalink
Here's a link for the above mentioned "Tiki tacky? Not to fans of Trader Vic's" article:
http://www.calendarlive.com/nightlife/cl-et-vics7apr07,0,2536244.story?coll=cl-nightlife-top-right
-MR
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piwackit
Member
Joined: Apr 07, 2006
Posts: 1
From: LA
| Posted: 2006-04-07 1:07 pm Permalink
Want to keep Trader Vic’s from the developer’s ball?
Here’s what to do:
Email, call & write the LA Conservancy & ask them to declare Trader Vic’s a historical site. Go to the Beverly Hills planning boards meetings & let them know that letting a developer destroy a landmark is unacceptable.
Write/email Hilton corporate headquarters & let them know that many view this as a historic landmark & it would be better to revamp the restaurant to draw in the very large Tiki community. How about a floor show to go w/the new look? Dinner, dancing & a show anyone? Wouldn’t it be great to see Royal Crown Revue, Brian Setzer & other swing acts there? How about a new food menu designed by a celebrity chef? Have a menu w/a large price range. Not to mention the drinks!
Remember, the Hilton & developers are looking at this from a money standpoint. You have to make them see it will bring in money if they take the time to revamp the whole thing the right way rather than destroy everything. Point out new restaurant openings here in Los Angeles & other places. Let them know they are neglecting a whole community looking for places to go. Let them know about ebay auctions, Tiki mug collectors, etc. Point out the brand new Trader Vic’s Tiki Party Book which is selling great. The Tiki Oasis conventions, all the web sites devoted to Tiki culture, revamped hotels, anything you can thing of that would show them how important places like this are to the community as a whole.
People to contact:
Los Angeles Conservancy:
Ken Bernstein Director of preservation issues
Linda Dishman Conservancy’s executive director
Adriene Biondo, chairwoman of the conservancy's Modern Committee
Marie Garvey spokesperson for Oasis West Realty, Alagem's firm
Make sure to keep to the point in a polite, professional manner.
Come up w/solutions rather than just criticisms. People respond better that way.
Good Luck to us all!
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tikiyaki
Grand Member (5 years)
Joined: May 18, 2004
Posts: 2677
From: The Exotic Port of REDONDO BEACH, CA
| Posted: 2006-04-07 3:05 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2006-04-07 13:07, piwackit wrote:
Want to keep Trader Vic’s from the developer’s ball?
Here’s what to do:
Email, call & write the LA Conservancy & ask them to declare Trader Vic’s a historical site. Go to the Beverly Hills planning boards meetings & let them know that letting a developer destroy a landmark is unacceptable.
Write/email Hilton corporate headquarters & let them know that many view this as a historic landmark & it would be better to revamp the restaurant to draw in the very large Tiki community. How about a floor show to go w/the new look? Dinner, dancing & a show anyone? Wouldn’t it be great to see Royal Crown Revue, Brian Setzer & other swing acts there? How about a new food menu designed by a celebrity chef? Have a menu w/a large price range. Not to mention the drinks!
Remember, the Hilton & developers are looking at this from a money standpoint. You have to make them see it will bring in money if they take the time to revamp the whole thing the right way rather than destroy everything. Point out new restaurant openings here in Los Angeles & other places. Let them know they are neglecting a whole community looking for places to go. Let them know about ebay auctions, Tiki mug collectors, etc. Point out the brand new Trader Vic’s Tiki Party Book which is selling great. The Tiki Oasis conventions, all the web sites devoted to Tiki culture, revamped hotels, anything you can thing of that would show them how important places like this are to the community as a whole.
People to contact:
Los Angeles Conservancy:
Ken Bernstein Director of preservation issues
Linda Dishman Conservancy’s executive director
Adriene Biondo, chairwoman of the conservancy's Modern Committee
Marie Garvey spokesperson for Oasis West Realty, Alagem's firm
Make sure to keep to the point in a polite, professional manner.
Come up w/solutions rather than just criticisms. People respond better that way.
Good Luck to us all!
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Do you have contact inof for these people ?
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Humuhumu
Grand Member (5 years)
Joined: Aug 22, 2002
Posts: 3536
From: San Francisco
| Posted: 2006-04-07 3:32 pm Permalink
The Los Angeles Conservancy and Mod Com are the same thing (Mod Com is short for the Los Angeles Conservancy's Modern Committee). Mod Com is looking for volunteers to join their effort and help give it as much traction as possible. As Mod Com chairwoman Adrienne Biondo said to the Los Angeles Times, "It’s not an issue that’s going to go away."
If you'd like to help out, send an email to savebhtv@humuhumu.com .
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Cherry Capri
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 24, 2002
Posts: 238
From: an uncharted desert isle
| Posted: 2006-04-07 6:16 pm Permalink
If you are interested in the preservation efforts for Trader Vics Beverly Hills, please join our discussion and the "Save Trader Vics" team at the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee's Message Board at Lotta Living
http://www.lottaliving.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=5513
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tikisuz
Member
Joined: Apr 09, 2006
Posts: 6
From: Los Angeles, CA
| Posted: 2006-04-09 12:37 am Permalink
Well, I will be working to help save TV Bev Hills. I just went there tonite for drinks with some tiki loving friends - and the place was bustling. The food could be improved...but I think that the new owner just wants to level it. We had a 30 min wait to get a table. And we were some of the only people that were there for the tiki-osity. There is plenty of room to add on condos without leveling Trader Vic's. The owner just wants what he wants.
So we need to make that really difficult for him. Bad press is what it is all about.
Our hope is Hollywood. We need some movers and shakers to weigh in, and for the Hilton to not get bookings related to the film industry. Otherwise it will face the fate of the Ambassador Hotel.
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procinema29
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 31, 2003
Posts: 465
From: los angeles
| Posted: 2006-04-09 10:15 am Permalink
It looks like there's a few different avenues a person can take to help preserve this place. I think the objective is worth the effort--actually EXPERIENCING the place last week was an inspiration to me! I'm gonna jump in and do what I can!
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