Mentioning it’s a chain was meant to be sarcastic because every time a new business opens on AKB that has more than 1 location, someone says it – I figured I’d beat them to the punch. Again – sarcastically. That’s how I am. That may not come across in text.

To be clear, and this is just my opinion, not necessarily the “yovenice” official stance: I want businesses located in Venice to be successful because it helps our economy. This store is one of a group of small boutique stores in NY and now a few in LA. It’s not a Gap or a Banana Republic. Yet.

Steven Alan seems like a nice business – I like that Steven was at the opening of this store and that it wasn’t a private event. I think that’s really cool – that’s the spirit of AKB. I still may not buy a $50 gray t-shirt, but that’s not to say I wouldn’t buy something else less generic for even more money.

I hope that employees of any Venice businesses live here, but if they don’t, that’s fine too – I’m sure I will love to get to know them as I frequently stop in to check out what’s new. Even if I’m not necessarily a “shopping” person.

I even stop in at Pinkberry every once in a blue moon (gasp!) because that business started in LA. Abbot’s Pizza Co. and Abbot’s Habit – they have second locations but they started here.

So…in conclusion…my personal patronage philosophy is to start locally and move outward as necessary.

And I wish Steven Alan and his employees much success in our neighborhood!

I do understand supporting business owners that actually live in Venice and have one store.. but by that logic I’d have to boycott Abbot’s Pizza company because they have a store in Santa Monica and I’ve never met the owner.

PS: Steve was at the Venice location when I stopped in last week… I’d met him a few times in NYC and he’s a really down to earth guy.

But you bring up an excellent question. I’m glad you asked…

If I buy a shirt at Brick Lane, I get to say hi to Amanda. And if I buy something at Topo Ranch, I get to say hi to Eric. And when I stop by Firefly tomorrow to buy a gift for my mother-in-law, I can congratulate Erinn on her new digs. And when Elvino opens its doors, I get to finally meet Bart and Caroline, who we’ve emailed with over the past several months.

So the difference is that the owners of the non-chain stores are our neighbors. Even if they don’t actually LIVE in Venice, they have their 1-and-only business here. If I’m in the buying mood, I like to support them.