Local 1205 Abbot Kinney Opening Soon

The space next to Other Room on Abbot Kinney, set to operate under the name “Local 1205” by Other Room owner Craig Weiss is having a City of LA Zoning Administration hearing on March 4th at 9am at the West Los Angeles Municipal Building, which we have covered here before.

Local 1205 is to be an “organic, gourmet market/café featuring specialty food, gourmet retail products, beer and wine, charcuterie, cheese cave, gourmet sandwiches, prepared foods, oyster bar, coal/wood fired pizza, fresh cut flowers, organic seasonal produce, organic juices, organic smoothies, organic coffees, pastries, desserts, and more”.

There has been some back and forth between local residents (immediately surrounding the location) concerned about the impact of a new business so close to their homes and the general population of Venice that favors a convenient place to grab a sandwich and some food. Sadly, Venice doesn’t really have a place like Bay Cities … and hopefully this will be it if their food delivers as they say it will. I spoke with Craig Weiss and he said the vision is to have a “community accessible” establishment with sandwiches (as an example) ranging from 6 dollars and up. Given that Abbot Kinney can be pretty inaccessible to many local’s pocketbooks, I think the fact that Weiss is aware of this and will be pricing things with this in mind differentiates this spot from others on Abbot Kinney. Yes, there will be some fancy pants and expensive goods at Local 1205, but if the balance is kept where this can be an affordable walkable or bikeable spot for Venice residents that could only be good for Abbot Kinney.

Click here to make this image full sized, the text is after the “jump”

What do you want, Venice? Now is the time to make your voice heard. To support the addition of 1205 Abbot Kinney to Venice, continue reading after “the jump”

From the peepz at Local 1205:

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!!
Local 1205, located at 1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, has it’s final hearing date on March 4, 2010 at 9am before the Zoning Administrator of the City of Los Angeles and we need your help. We are seeking approval for an on/offsite beer and wine license, sidewalk and rear patio seating open until 11pm and inside open from 7am – 3am. We know everyone’s time is valuable so here are some choices on what you can do to support:

EASIEST: Sign the petition available at the otheroom (1201 Abbot Kinney)…just a simple signature.

EASIER: Write an email to the Zoning Administrator’s office: sue.chang@lacity.org and make sure to reference case #: ZA-2008-3557 (CUB). Please also e-mail Venice City Councilman’s office Bill Rosendahl at: councilman.rosendahl@lacity.org and whitney.blumenfeld@lacity.org. Example: Dear Zoning Administrator: I live at xx in Venice Beach and I would like to ask that you approve Local 1205’s on/off site beer and wine license, sidewalk and rear patio seating open until 11pm, and hours of operation from 7am-3am, 7 days a week for the following reasons: … Thank you, your name. (please CC Craig Weiss: craigtherooms@yahoo.com on your email so the emails can print this out also.)

TAKE A FEW MORE MINUTES OF YOUR TIME: Write a letter! Please either drop it by the otheroom or mail it to: Office of Zoning Administration Case # ZA-2008-3557 (CUB) 200 N. Spring. St. 7th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90012 as well as to: Bill Rosendahl 1645 Corinth Ave. Room 201 West L.A., CA 90025

POINTS TO CONSIDER in your emails and letters:
Safety: Abbot Kinney Blvd, and Venice Beach as a whole, have experienced a major decline in crime over the past 10 years. Much of this can be attributed to the renewed life on the streets. Logically, the more people on the street, the less crime occurs. People walk their dogs, go to bars and restaurants, and do general socializing on Abbot Kinney Blvd. This was not the case 15 years ago. People that have lived in Venice Beach for a long time know how bad it was and how much safer it is now. First Friday would not have been possible if businesses hadn’t taken the chance to create the safe, pedestrian friendly AK we all know and love. Convenience: If we have an organic café/market we can walk to, we’ll walk to it. If it’s open late, we’ll shop, eat and drink there at all hours. Having an upscale market in the neighborhood is good for everyone and needed.

Business District: Abbot Kinney is mixed use, commercial/residential. That’s the beauty of our neighborhood. Live local, work local, shop local, eat local, and drink local! Original: There’s nothing like this concept on Abbot Kinney. What a welcome contrast to the many retail shops and restaurants on the boulevard. Local Businesses: Small businesses are the lifeblood of any community, and Venetians support local businesses doing good for the community. Improving
the quality of our lives and gentrifying our neighborhood with integrity is essential.

Local Jobs: Local 1205 will be hiring mostly Venetians. There are so many people struggling in our depressed economy. We owe it to each other to take a stand for local jobs. Late night closing: We are hoping to be open until 3am, 7 days a week. The 3am closing time will ensure a safer street
and will provide a destination for people to shop and eat late in our neighborhood where most of the restaurants and shops close early.

Sidewalk Seating: Sidewalk seating will also create life on the street and make Abbot Kinney much safer.

GOT MORE TIME? PLEASE SHOW UP:
Thursday, March 4, 2010 9:00 am, come to the meeting before the Zoning
Administrator. If you need transportation, please let Craig know. We are planning a carpool to get as many people there as possible. The location of the hearing is: 1645 Corinth Ave 2nd floor LA 90025