Re: What's Up At Spinetti's

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In Response To: What's Up At Spinetti's ()

First off, I'll say that I know nothing (directly) on your primary question, but I'll throw in the following:
1. Spinetti's website and store is still up and running (link below). They have 254 pages of chips x 20 on each page = 5080 chips, less some marked as "Sold". I clicked on a few chips, as if ordering, and they all seemed to work. And randomly, the other stuff all seemed to be available for sale, including items that needed customized artwork to complete. So, they're still around, as far as an online presence is concerned.
2. As to why the chips in the display cases have been removed, I don't know that either. But personally, if I'm planning a trip to Spinetti's, I look online first, as they are easier to see unless it's a chip in the top rows of the cases. The chips on the 2nd and lower shelves are harder to view, unless you know what you're looking for, as they are arranged alphabetically. Perhaps they're doing an inventory, or photographs or ???
3. I know of one laid-off staff member, but perhaps there have been more. I'm not up on that either way. But retail brick & mortar always has expenses and has to be "tuned" to the current sales volume.
4. Spinetti's is in the northwestern corner of the LA "Arts District", aka "18b" for the 18 blocks it encompasses. (See map posted below.)There's some interesting "rebirth" going on there, with art galleries and studios, some interesting new indie restaurants, etc. (I ate at a very good BBQ restaurant when there in June.) It's not too far from downtown, accessible by I-15 freeway, etc. Something new and different to see & do ... except walking it is all outdoors in the HOT summer sun right now. If Spinetti's is planning a sale & move, their building might fit with an art-type purchaser, and they could relocate somewhere, either still open to the public or not? Way back when they opened to begin with, they were across the parking lot from Gambler's General Store (GGS), their main competitor. Now GGS has moved a few blocks away, and GGS is not the dominant player they once were. (I still check in with GGS from time to time, when in town -- and their current location is the 4th one since I've been going there ... so retailers do move around.) I don't even know if Spinetti's owns or leases their building. Mike S. was a solid business entrepreneur, so he might have bought it, I just don't know. If it is time to sell into a "hot" artsy market and go somewhere else, that works for me. Either open to the public (my preference) or not. I DO hope they're around in some way -- when I was pulling up their website, I scrolled through a few things I may buy!!.
5. I should have listed this one first -- Spinetti's does have a phone number and also a "contact us" page to leave a message or a chat box to interact with them. If curious, just contact them and ask directly. They may explain, or it may not be sharable with the public right now, but that's how to get a direct answer.
JMHO. grin