I totally agree with preserving Malibu by keeping local businesses. Even though, I have been known for being a “big shopper” in the past, there is nothing I like more than going in local “boutique stores” that have different and artistic items for sale.
I realize this is a rich community, but after a while, the high-priced cookie cutter businesses, especially when that is what you are turning Malibu into, will get old! I have shopped in some of the coolest places in the world including:
Sitges, Spain; Harbor Springs, Mich.; Nassau, The Bahamas; The Hill Country, Texas; San Francisco; Charleston, S.C.; Saint Armand’s Circle, Fla.; Santa Fe and Taos, N.M.; Monaco; Vienna, Salzburg and Mondsee, Austria; Belaggio, Italy, “where you can find rare items and handcrafts made by local craftsman not found anywhere else in Lake Como or even Italy”; Santa Margherita and Portifino, Italy, Toronto and Bayfield, Canada; many cities in Germany and Nice, France, which behind Paris is “known for fashion,” is also associated with a multitude of boutiques, artisan studios and curiosity shops locally owned. Many years ago, we even took a jeep ride into the mountains and hiked in Caracas, Venezuela, where I bought a handmade hammock by a local artisan! It is still beautiful!
I could go on and on but I think you get the point! That is what makes a town attractive, unique and set apart from other places! There is nothing like going into shop after shop with different antiques, art, jewelry, pottery and even furniture. There is nothing like going into restaurants locally owned and chatting with the owner.
Malibu is a beautiful place! Let’s keep it that way. Let Malibu be known for being beautiful and unique like many of the places I listed above.
Janis Oakey