Old Town Report (9/22/16 Issue)

Old Town Monrovia. – Courtesy photo

By Pam Fitzpatrick

When I walk around Old Town on Mondays, I try not to get the “heebeegeebees.” So many “Closed” signs, so many lost opportunities, I’m thinking.

Malls aren’t closed on Mondays and, goodness knows, we don’t want folks flocking to the malls on Mondays (or any other days). But realistically, small business owners aren’t robots and most of us don’t have many (some not any) employees, which I guess is where the name “Mom and Pop shops” originated. So I decided to walk around on Tuesdays instead …

Actually, I worry about competition from malls almost as much as I worry about competition from the internet, which is almost not at all. I was reading a Bloomberg article the other day about the changing face of malls and the loss of so many big chains stores. According to the article, “America’s second-largest mall operator has a message for department stores leaving its malls: ‘See ya’, wouldn’t want to be ya’.’” It seems that large mall spaces are often better used by several smaller retailers. In addition, malls are incorporating some non-traditional uses into their properties, like gyms and kids centers: seems that visitors like the combination of services, retail, restaurants, and entertainment. Wonder where they got that idea?

When you look at the changes to Old Town from the late ‘60s and ‘70s, to present day, the transformation is really remarkable. Yes, we look 100 percent better, and yes, we get along 100 percent better (both merchants and guests), however, without the addition of the entertainment component to the business mix, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Restaurants are the morning, noon, and night lifeblood of Old Town Monrovia. Clearly the price of eating out has increased and will continue to increase, as the cost of labor rises – but Old Town has such variety both in types of food and in price, there is something for everyone.

Want small bites and great wine? Try The Saltner. Looking for entertainment while you dine? Bella Sera, Mundial, The Diplomat, and Craft Hill (aka The Sow House) all have plenty of entertainment on their menus. And – the word on the street is that Salad Bistro (who, by the way, has a new outside paint job!) is looking to apply for a beer and wine license, as is the Myrtle Tree, and I couldn’t be happier.

If you like the combination of food, beverages, and entertainment, you’ll love Taste of Old Town coming Sunday, Oct. 9 to Myrtle Avenue from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A little bit of this and a little bit of that – a few sips here and a few sips there – and music! It’s truly a great way to spend a Sunday evening with friends and neighbors in a beautiful setting.

Kiwanis of Monrovia does a great job every year with this offering and we owe Julie Soldo and her Kiwanis volunteers a big “thank-you” for all their hard work. Tickets are available at the event, but pre-sale tickets cost less and are available online at www.TasteMonrovia.com, or at The Dollmakers’ Kattywompus, the Monrovia Chamber, The Saltner, Rudy’s Mexican Food, and the Monrovia Community Center.

And speaking of entertainment, have you strolled downtown on a Wednesday or Saturday evening and heard “The Lance and Gary Show?” These two guys are not only excellent performers, but they are downright hilarious. They artfully perform favorites both current and past, interspersed with on-the-spot odes to local merchants and their generous sponsors (like BMW of Monrovia!) Check them out this week or next!

Do the upgraded awnings (names only) on the west side of Myrtle, 400 block, mean that “Baron’s Bar & Grill” (where the window says “e Sports”) might be “getting ready to get ready to think about” doing something with their space? We can only hope …

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