I’m a Malibu mom and pop retail storeowner. I would like to share a little different perspective on the Malibu landlord / tenant relationship. It seems almost every week I read another story of landlords trying to push out small businesses. This definitely does happen, but I’ve experienced a very different landlord relationship than that. I have been helped on so many levels and so many times by management I’ve lost count. I went to the owners of Malibu Country Mart with the hope of a plan for “retail survival” in these tough economic times. We’ve been in Malibu more than 28 years. I didn’t want to become a vacancy. There are already way too many vacancies. I was given helpful advice, help with the rent, and very open communication. Because of this communication, Malibu Shaman is still standing. I feel thankful and blessed.
I just want to offer another side to the story. I’ve experienced and seen the Country Mart evolve and grow over the last two years. We have created whole second floor of independent mind / body / self-help businesses. There is a nice flow and synergy to our second floor haven: books, crystals, yoga, acupuncture, medi spa and a healing facility. These are all independent, community needed businesses. If all goes well, we will have Diesel, a bookstore coming into the Mart soon. I hope the community will realize that there are still a lot of independent, interesting and cool businesses in our Cross Creek mall. Let’s open the communication and I bet we can all still have the Malibu shopping environment we all want. We can find a balance between what we want, what we need and what the landlords can do to participate. I think everyone really wants the same end result-Malibu cool, fair prices, prosperity and everyone enjoying our fine shopping and food establishments. As a local small business, I give thanks to the Great Spirit and the Malibu Country Mart for a second chance in this unpredictable retail economy.
Scott Sutphen
Owner Malibu Shaman