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Old Town Report (6/16/16 Issue)
Monrovia Weekly Jun 15, 2016
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Old Town Monrovia. – Photo By Monrovia Public Library (CC BY 2.0)
We talk a lot about the new businesses that are coming to Old Town and the existing businesses that are expanding or updating their offerings, but there is a group we have been missing in our past reports.
As our popularity in the community expanded and our demographics changed, it was no longer reasonable to keep up the “Old Town Only” attitude towards advertisers and event sponsors. I remember the time (not so long ago) when it was considered treason to put up a street banner within the historic district that had anything but the name of a fellow business owner on it. We had a funny, rather insular, attitude towards anything we could label as “the competition.”
Well, times have changed: we here in Old Town Monrovia have a very reliable, very devoted group we refer to as the “Friends of Old Town.” The bulk of that new group includes businesses who love our town center and find it rewarding to sponsor events, donate to worthy causes (like our Santa Breakfasts), and otherwise be a part of our community, but are not located within the perimeters of the Business Improvement District.
Did you know that BMW of Monrovia has been sponsoring our Wednesday’s in Old Town music for several months now? Metro Infiniti is also a Friend of Old Town, as are three of Arcadia’s finest: Nicola Speranta, of the Speranta Group, Foothill Credit Union, and Post Alarm (all NYE on Myrtle sponsors).
In fact, every year Dennis and his crew from Post Alarm work alongside our Monrovia PD to provide security for our New Year’s Eve on Myrtle event. And, we have another faithful “Friend” in the Santa Anita Family YMCA, who has supported our events in town, sent out Stewie the Duck to roam Myrtle Avenue, and has provided the games portion of our Family Area during our New Year’s event. And, by the way, the YMCA is finally getting a sign installed at the corner of Mountain and Lemon so folks will see our fabulous Y! The Tri-Chamber ribbon cutting/unveiling is on June 23 at 1:30 p.m. and the public is invited.
Most of us are familiar with the banks and service-type businesses in town, but I will bet 90 percent of our regular visitors – and even our own businesses – do not have a clue what is in that “beigy-brownish” building just south of T. Phillip. That non-descript building is a nonprofit organization called “Santa Anita Family Service” and it has been around for over 60 years.
I am told that in 1951 the originators of today’s Monrovia League actually founded what we now fondly refer to as “the Agency.” The building as well as its activities may seem a little out of place in the middle of the restaurants and retailers in the 500 block of South Myrtle, but at the time the site was purchased by SAFS, the municipal code for the HCD (Historic Commercial District) allowed uses that would no longer be approved today.
Thankfully the use has been grandfathered in for existing users so the Agency can continue supporting our military, as well as providing therapeutic and supportive services to children, adults, and seniors. Old Town is proud of you, SAFS!
And, now, what is up with Baron’s Bar & Grill (where Los Guerros/Wang’s used to be in the 400 block of Myrtle west side)? I wish I knew. The business license has been issued for the site and a letter has been sent out by the city, detailing the approved uses allowed, which, at this point, do not include the rumored Japanese-inspired “Cosplay” activities. And, on a more tame level, we have a pending opening: Bottega at Bella Sera is expecting their health department inspection this week, and then it is on to stocking up!
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