IS this the end of ********** at the VCR ?

For 1 freekin' day a month they are going to make this trouble? Morons!!! Boycot Vons, or whoever....

 

Huh. Just stumbled across this thread.....their was an article a few months ago about the Las Vegas Cars & Coffee, and how in the midst of a dismal local economy, the plaza where it is held is at nearly 100% capacity, while other commercial plazas in the vicinity are struggling to fill vacancies.

I think the landlord needs to read that article. If I could find it again I would link it......

 

We should complain to the landlord that the Vons customers are taking up parking spots that prevent some of us from getting our VCR coffee

 

Sounds like your days might be numbered there. The venue seemed to follow in Crystal Cove's steps right up to the getting turfed part. Cars and Coffee then emerged, is now organized by some dedicated enthusiasts in a private parking lot in an industrial area. It seems like it's here to stay and is the one formula that works. They even higher a cop to be there each weekend to prevent burn outs or other stupid tricks. It'd be my suggestion to convert VCR to something similar.

 

It’s just hard to believe that this could be bad for any business. I’m trying to think of a business off the top of my head that would not benefit from people gathering (people not wearing gang colors that is) in a parking lot.

I can’t think of any. If you are a retailer, you want window shoppers, even if they are there for another reason. Maybe, JUST MAYBE you have what someone is looking for and the higher the volume of people you get walking by, they better chances you have of selling something.

I have to think that some of the people that meet there for the car shows have used those businesses. I know I have. I have bought coffee at VCR, I have eaten at the Mc Donald’s, I have bought sun glasses and red bull at the Right Aid (or what ever it is) and I have only been to VCR three times!

 

It's more a liability thing. If the owners are allowing it to happen and there's some kind of serious incident they can get sued like they were endorsing it.

 

I happen to know that vehicle code 22658cvc states that on a Private Property open to the public you must wait one hour prior to removing the vehicle. And if your with your car unless LAPD or LASD are ordering the impound or storage of the vehicle the towing company cannot take the car...... It's gonna get messy!!! Also if you have made a purchase in the shopping center you are now a customer.....

 

I believe if I am not mistaken and perhaps an attorney on this board may offer insight,
but it is actually that they have to prove that you had NO intent to buy something. If you are at a location with intent, then they can do nothing. As per this time reference of one hour, where is this stated. Lastly, are there notices at EVERY entrance and exit to the center and what to do they say? If it is loitering, they would again have to prove that you DID NOT BUY SOMETHING or THAT YOU HAD NO INTENT. How can they prove that.

I would also think that, if a vehicle is towed, the owner of said vehicle could sue: The security comapny, the shopping center and the towing company for improper tow. Including rental car fees, any damages to vehicle and any other associated costs. A business owner in the center could also sue for many different things not excluding: breech of lease for deterring customers, sue on behalf of said customers. They too, to my non-layer mind, sue: Landlords, Security company, towing company. And that is EVERY BUSINESS in that center if they lost one cent of revenue.

Any thoughts?

 

The owner of the lot can simply close the majority of the parking lot during the time of the event and put a sign up saying those areas are not for parking and are private property if he wants to disrupt the event. There is no law saying he must provide any public parking for anyone at all.

Additionally, under section 1 of 22658, he can have cars cited and immediately removed if signs are displayed saying that the parking is private and only for customers of (store x) while they are shopping or something similar.

That is what most places do to prevent public parking (it is most commonly used in downtown areas where people try to leave their car in a bank/retail lot to get out of paying to park somewhere). There is quite a bit of case law about that to back up the owner's right to cite/remove cars left in that manner if they have proper signage displayed.

 

I spoke to a few business owners after that guy started telling everyone to leave, including EC Bagel, and they said the show was great for business!

 

I really can't figure out why the other businesses don't embrace the additional potential for profit? You have all these people there that you didn't need to spend a dollar of marketing money to attract. Instead of passing out flyers saying to leave why not pass out flyers with discounts on goods and services or let people know that you want their business? In the current financial climate, it seems like a giant waste of energy. Many places would embrace all these possible clients.

 

I just noticed today in Newbury Park that Islands has a sign right on the street for a Saturday Cruise Night. Perfect example of a business embracing a show.

 

Cars used to assemble in that parking lot but then moved to the Kohl's parking lot on Saturday nights. I think that show is from Memorial Day to around Labor Day from 5 pm until dark. I've seen 25 - 75 cars there, mostly American Muscle, Rat Rods and some unusual vehiclles. They're obviously trying to drum up business and knows about the cruisers in the area.

 

Today should be interesting, supposedly many tow trucks on the way.

 

This again?

 

I was there this morning at around 8:30 am. About 3 or 4 police cars, 4 or 5 security guards, and two tow trucks showed up. The security guards were handing out court injunctions. Much lighter crowd than usual. This is getting quite interesting. I was getting a little lax in coming to VCR lately, but I am going to come every Sunday now. This sure beats watching reality shows on TV. I left around 9:30 am and so far no one was towed.

 

Yes, good to see you there. No fear, the cops said it was uninforceable. Just wait til they try to tow somebody who has patronized one of the businesses there! Gonna write a letter to McDonald's corporation about how one of its' customers was treated this morning. Immediately upon arrival, I was told to "get my food and leave" by one of the "security guards". Truly a threatening atmosphere created by these goons.

 

So are they only going to tow exotics and not "regular" cars then? I mean what if you want to grab a coffee and happen to have a Ferrari? I don't see how they are going to enforce this.

 

I agree

 

Would it help to explain to our local Von's why we won't continue to patronize them ( because of the heavy handed tactics of one of their stores). It seems Von's is the major complainer here. Perhaps Von's can be persuaded to back off. A flyer of our own describing the situation could be in order. I hate to be pushed around.

 

We went through all this with Crystal Cove down this way. They didn't get quite as nasty as this as they warned us ahead that a certain date was going to be the last. They did threaten to have us towed etc. if we showed up again. Unfortunately it's over for good folks. Forget about the "I'm a patron thing" as they'll shoo you away any time in future if it looks like a car show is forming. You better find another private facility where no one will complain and the owner is behind it 100%. Good luck.

 

Contact Von's-

Brian Dowling
5918 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588
Tel: 925-467-3000
Fax: 925-467-3323
Contact: VP of Public Affairs - Brian Dowling