Video: Catching up with Crazy Gideon

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at 06:02PM

CrazyGideon Ed Fuentes [Flickr]

"Crazy" Gideon Kotzer at his Arts District warehouse.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Before there was an "Arts District," Gideon Kotzer moved his appliance and electronics empire to a warehouse on Traction Avenue in 1991. Since then the man better known as "Crazy" Gideon has taken a hammer to many a television set to show how mental instability can mean savings for you.

Recently, "Going out of Business" showed up on the front of the store building, which Koltzer hopes to convert to residential units.

Last year, Koltzer began the process of securing the entitlements needed to convert his warehouse and parking lot into new lofts apartments. Those permits are now in hand, though the plan has now changed from condo to rental and a timeline in uncertain.

As this video conversation shows, the veteran pitchman is ready to put his honed instincts to work in the residential game when the time comes.

Crazy Gideon Koltzer from blogdowntown on Vimeo.

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Comments

1
JonT writes:

Love the video feature. Great addition to the site. It's the first time I've seen it on here!

# on Sep.16.2009 AT 06:59 PM
2
Tim writes:

I didn't know Crazy Gideons was still in business? Is it? Is it worth going to?

# on Sep.16.2009 AT 08:58 PM
3
Rich Alossi writes:

Crazy Gideon is a piece of Southern California/Los Angeles history. How many times in high school did I watch him throw something into a T.V. at 2:00am?

"Computer, 599! TV, 399! I'M CRAZY!" You should've seen my face when I realized I lived near Gideon's store... it was like I won the jackpot -- or as if Larry H. Parker got me 2.1 million.

# on Sep.16.2009 AT 09:40 PM
4
keith writes:

I've only been to his store once & that was eons ago.

# on Sep.17.2009 AT 07:24 AM
5
Sandie Richards writes:

Gosh, I remember when the Museum of Neon Art was in a garage on Traction Ave. near Crazy Gideon's. Atomic Cafe, anyone? Anyone?

And just like Crazy Gideon, I love this place too!!!

# on Sep.17.2009 AT 10:44 AM
6
Ed Fuentes writes:

Sandie FYI: The Atomic Cafe neon sign is on display at the Japanese American National Museum.

# on Sep.17.2009 AT 12:42 PM
7
John Allen writes:

As a businessman, I have known Crazy Gideon since the late '80's, and just wanted to say, that the "crazy" persona that you see, is not at all what Gideon Koetzer is like. After the day was done, in a social setting, he is a normal family man, friend, and a top contributor to the health & wealth of downtown!

His store will be missed, but his new ventures will go on! Stack em deep and sell em cheap!!

# on Sep.17.2009 AT 03:43 PM
8
Joe writes:

Didn't anyone tell Crazy Gideon that real estate is NOT the business to be getting into these days?

# on Sep.17.2009 AT 06:07 PM
9
Dawn writes:

"If you want to buy for your mother a loft in Downtown LA" ha ha, awesome - I'm sold!

# on Sep.18.2009 AT 08:42 AM
10
JonT writes:

# on Sep.18.2009 AT 10:15 AM

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