Rose Cafe at corner of Rose and Hampton. Argonaut and Beachhead newsstands were between phone poll and other newsstands on Rose.
By Roxanne Brown
Have you been wondering what happened to the Argonaut and Beachhead newsstands in front of the Rose Café?
About a month ago, I noticed that both the Argonaut and Beachhead newsstands in front of the Rose Café seemed to have been vandalized or run over by a car. In any event, they were destroyed. I informed both papers. The newsstands were replaced.
About a week later, I noticed that both newsstands had been pulled out again. I asked the Rose Café employees what had happened. They answered, “It was due to construction – redoing the garden in front.”
This was odd, as the LA Weekly, LA Times, Santa Monica Daily Press, and Santa Monica Mirror newsstands were still in place. The Rose Café has always been my favorite spot to pick up both publications, along with a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. I’m in there purchasing food and beverage and buying cards several times a week.
I will not patronize the Rose Cafe until both the Beachhead and the Argonaut newsstands are replaced and the newsstands are full of papers. Please join me in asking that the Rose Café restore the Argonaut and Beachhead newsstands and keep them full of papers.
You may think I’m paranoid. This may seem innocuous. This may or may not be suppression of the press. The bottom line is patrons want to read the Argonaut and The Beachhead with our cup of coffee.
Remember, the customer is always right?
I agree with Roxanne Brown. I too always pick up the Argonaut and LA Weekly at the Rose Cafe, which I have been regularly patronizing since it first opened. And I don’t think you’re paranoid Roxanne, and certainly not naive. Also, I was heart-broken to see the boutique close. It was the best boutique on the Westside. I assume it had become unprofitable, which I don’t understand. Me, I bought so many things there, especially gifts for friends. I always told people that if they wanted to know the perfect combination of items for a successful boutique, check out the one at the Rose Cafe. Guess I was wrong. The Rose Cafe has lost it’s appeal.
Dotti,
You think like I do. Many Venetians are heart broken about the closing of one of the most original and creative gift stores on the West Side. Rose Cafe employees have told me that most everyone who comes in bemoans the loss.
The Rose Cafe is replacing the gift shop with a wine bar – can’t they have both? I – as opposed to you – think the boutique must have been profitable.
It seems that all restaurants want liquor licenses as they are cash cows for the owners – unfortunately, often at the residents’ expense of the peace and quiet in their neighborhood.
Venice is dense with liquor licenses – five times the allowed amount in some areas and Venice has four times the city average crime rate. Yet, Mayor Garcetti’s administration and Councilman Bonin’s office seem to approve more liquor licenses.
The fact is Garcetti and Bonin are fast with the details and slow with results. Have you ever seen two elected officals say so much and do so little?
The quality-of-life in Venice is deteriorating under these individuals as I can make no case for improvement nor change.
If one can, please point out this renaissance that claims to be taking place in Venice?