Loft Appeal Closing 9th & Hill Store After April Incident
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Loft Appeal plans to close its store at 9th & Hill in response to the April 26 altercation between partner Ron Senger and employees of Fiesta Broadway.
Loft Appeal's Rich Reams yesterday sent this statement to blogdowntown via email.
Loft Appeal announces that they will be closing their Hill street store by the end of the summer. Although we have seen an increase in business over the past few months, we are closing because of the recent events where partner Ron Senger was beaten by 5 employees of an event downtown. Although this event only happens once a year, we now fear for our lives, and further retaliation from members of this group. We feel that this area is not ready for retail, because the city can not guarantee even the most basic infrastructure to its businesses and residents. We feel our civil rights have been violated, and can not live or work where this is allowed. We are disappointed with certain city officials who have allowed the abuses to residents and businesses to continue year after year. We will continue to serve downtown from our other location on Hewitt, but are evaluating our future in downtown.
The store had been one of the early pioneers in Downtown retail. In June of 2008 Reams and Senger opened their second location, in the Arts District.
Editor's Note: Comments on the April incident were quite heated, and conversation on this thread will be watched closely. Be civil.
Bartleight on May 21, 2009, at 12:03PM – #1
Rich, Sorry to see you go as your 9th/Hill location is within walking distance of my neighborhood. Best of luck and see you on Hewitt St.
David Kennedy on May 21, 2009, at 01:08PM – #2
It would be appropriate if there were more information provided about this incident (i.e. what actually happened). Mr. Senger's comments are self-serving and full of self-pity. Some of his assertions are risible.
I realize blogdowntown is not constrained by journalism ethics and standards. Still an effort at some balance would be appreciated. What did the police report say? Has the lady he attacked get a chance to comment? Did Fiesta Broadway get a chance to issue a statement. If someone simply read blogdowntown about this incident, they would get an incomplete picture.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on May 21, 2009, at 01:38PM – #3
David: The police report contains information provided by both sides and does not clarify between the two. As of the last time I asked, LAPD was simply presenting both sides to the District Attorney to decide what if any charges should be filed.
The funny part of this story has been that we've been rounded criticized by both sides for being one-sided. Seems it's a matter of perspective.
David Kennedy on May 21, 2009, at 02:28PM – #4
Understood. If you're getting it from all sides, that's encouraging.
However, if information other than Mr. Senger's statement had been provided, like the police report, the reader could review it all and make a more informed decision about the circumstances. Some readers might ask why the privilege to speak is extended to one of the parties and not the other? This could lead some to assume (wrongly, I think) that you are taking a side in the controversy.
Ultimately, I think it comes down to blogdowntown's ambition. What role does this site aspire to play in civic affairs of downtown? Obviously, this is your blog and you can do whatever you feel like. You might want to consider if that's the extent of your ambition.
Izzy on May 21, 2009, at 03:28PM – #5
I'm sorry to see you leave. I'm not surprised. I've lived in the area my whole life and I've been witness to this event growing out of hand. It's sad to see good people like you leave the area. We need more business like yours here.
Juichi on May 21, 2009, at 04:50PM – #6
I have to agree with David that sometimes you post a one-sided view of things, but here you just posted the information. If you take a look at the article that first mentions the incident it doesn't truly take sides.
Broadway Fiesta has been around for 20 years and Loft Appeal has been around for about 5 years. I'm sorry, but seniority wins. I'm completely for revitalizing downtown and making it a better place to live, but I'm not okay with destroying positive things that existed before most people moved down here. If they had a problem with that day, then they should just close on it.
The whole thing sounds like an excuse. The economy isn't doing so well, so business for them might be down. The times I've been in either shop has had few customers. The location on Hewitt is bigger and in a better location. It might not be necessary for them to have two shops so close together. I will say that they have some great furniture. If I had the money I would love to re-decorate my loft with their merchandise.
Frankly Speaking on May 21, 2009, at 06:45PM – #7
"Broadway Fiesta has been around for 20 years and Loft Appeal has been around for about 5 years. I'm sorry, but seniority wins."
Love that logic. Laws don't matter. It is all about who is here first. Well, since Downtown L.A. has been historically Anglo, with Latinos segregated across the river, white folks like Ron and Rich should get downtown, and Fiesta Broadway should just move across the river and become Fiesta East L.A., 'cause you know, seniority wins.
nanorich on May 21, 2009, at 07:06PM – #8
Rich and Ron, I am sorry to hear you are closing your wonderful store, and hope that you will can see your way to clear to maybe change your mind.
You have personally been a big part of my experience downtown, and you leaving represents a huge loss for me me.
Don't go!! Shane, come back!!
Howie on the Hill on May 21, 2009, at 08:11PM – #9
There is no excuse for the violence that took place. Period. From anyone. Ron could have walked away but decided not to. I've read the police report... Because to have stores in DT, you can't side-step the law. I also imagine that there will be lawsuits a' coming on down the line. This one will be in the courts for years..maybe by the time someone gets out of jail...maybe.
leesa on May 21, 2009, at 09:15PM – #10
It will be very sad to see Loft Appeal go, but having had a small business downtown and having to close it after a year, I can understand why. I had my fair share of getting the city to fix street lights and transients who would sleep right outside my store.
Howie on the Hill and Juichi: Please understand what it's like for small businesses to have to go through these things. More small businesses in downtown are continuing to disappear and I don't blame them.
Puh-Leeze on May 21, 2009, at 10:16PM – #11
Drama!!!! Business is down all over, and no business person in their right mind is going to shut down any successful business in this economy to avoid an event that happens once a year.
The Fiesta Broadway incident was unfortunate, very unfortunate and I personally don't think the event should be allowed to continue at all without major overhauls (just because it's been going on this way for 20 years doesn't mean it shouldn't evolve) but even Ron admits he started it by throwing a major fit about having his car towed or whatever when he knew he was parked where he shouldn't have been, and he admits throwing the first punches himself.
Fears for his life? Puh-leeze. Running two stores in one area is tough in any economy, just call it what it is, don't be desperately dramatic.
Greensmark on May 22, 2009, at 10:00AM – #12
I think Pul-Leeze summed it up quite nicely!!
Enough of this now! Let's move on....
Grnsmrk
Chris on May 22, 2009, at 02:18PM – #13
Mmmm..Really sad is all I can say. To own a business downtown, it is still WAY more difficult than it should be. Sorry Rich & Ron. And kudos to blogdowntown for having some ethics. Remember those? I have been personally misquoted by 2 LA journalists and have seen other LA reporters tell flat out lies about people I know. It's especially disgusting when I personally witness something just to see a reporter lie about it later.
Juichi on May 23, 2009, at 03:46PM – #14
"Love that logic. Laws don't matter. It is all about who is here first."
If you're going to go that far, then we all should move out and give the land back to the people who originally roamed the area. That wasn't the point. I never claimed who had done what illegally. If there's a festival that has been in downtown for 15 years and someone opens up a shop, the person who opens the shop doesn't have the right to complain about something that existed before they opened shop. As for something that only happens once a year, it's ridiculous to complain. They should have done their research if they thought it would be a problem. If the festival did anything illegal, then they should get in trouble for anything they did. If they do something illegal it doesn't give a person the right put the law into their own hands. In this case it doesn't give the person the right to hit a person.
Leesa - I'm sorry to hear that your business had to close. You are right. I'm not saying that the city always responds quickly or appropriately to issues that small or large businesses face. I'm sure that there are many issues that businesses face downtown and it really doesn't help in this economy. Downtown still has a lot of improvement to go through. Unfortunately we're in a time where crime rates may start to go up and the homeless population is starting to increase.
Robert Banuelos on June 11, 2009, at 04:16PM – #15
well to add to the discussion
http://downtownnews.com/articles/2009/06/02/news/doc4a25b498cdeb2370453327.txt
Ron has been charged with battery.
eve on June 11, 2009, at 10:17PM – #16
"Broadway Fiesta has been around for 20 years and Loft Appeal has been around for about 5 years. I'm sorry, but seniority wins." Brilliant logic. F**k Fiesta Broadway. I've lived here for ten, and it's been a pain in the ass every single year. Residents need to have some sort of say when it comes to how this event affects the community. EVERYONE in the community--business owners and residents. There were alot less people here 20 years ago, and this area has been changing for quite some time. This event needs to change as well.
Will on December 20, 2009, at 03:30PM – #17
C’mon Eve… the guy admitted he overstepped his bounds and he’s been charged with battery. He hit a girl. And the facts now show he wasn’t “beaten up by five guys” and has no reson to "fear for his life" at all -- juuust a little drama there. The festival has been around for 20 years and also needs to recognize the neighborhood has changed a lot over that 20 years. I was visited by the organizer’s “resident relations” people for the first time in '08. They were very nice and informative – while representing an event that, yes, is a pain in the butt one day out of the year for us. Suggest we continue to communicate civilly and not through “battery.” How’s that Eve? Be part of the evolution of downtown – instead of a revolution.
eve on December 20, 2009, at 10:04PM – #18
Okay Will, I see your point. I've learned a lot since JUNE, and am evolving just as you are. Never suggested "battery" be used however, so check your snark.