The Los Angeles Times reports on the woes of the upcoming opening (finally!) of Magnolia Bakery in LA:
Steve Abrams envisions long lines of customers for his vanilla cupcakes and banana pudding when his Magnolia Bakery opens this summer at Orlando Avenue and 3rd Street in Los Angeles, his first location outside New York.
Many Angelenos are drooling in anticipation, even those irked by the knowledge that the addition of the popular bakery will make already scarce parking even harder to find in the densely packed neighborhood.
"I like the fact that Magnolia is coming in, but the reality is the public is being duped," said Danielle Elliott, a Realtor who has complained vociferously to the city about the dearth of parking. "The area just cannot accommodate any more restaurants."
Abrams, accustomed to the Big Apple's walkability, couldn't agree more about his first foray into the Big Orange's car culture. He said he has been taken aback by the hostility residents have displayed at community meetings....
After all, Abrams told residents, he would be bringing 60 jobs, $1.3 million in payroll and, potentially, half a million dollars in tax revenue during a time of economic distress. Many locals have signed letters of support for his indoor and outdoor seating plans, but he said he was surprised by activists' "vitriol."
Abrams said he has lined up some exclusive parking spaces and plans to sponsor a valet stand — at a projected cost of as much as $30,000 a year.
Steve Abrams envisions long lines of customers for his vanilla cupcakes and banana pudding when his Magnolia Bakery opens this summer at Orlando Avenue and 3rd Street in Los Angeles, his first location outside New York.
Many Angelenos are drooling in anticipation, even those irked by the knowledge that the addition of the popular bakery will make already scarce parking even harder to find in the densely packed neighborhood.
"I like the fact that Magnolia is coming in, but the reality is the public is being duped," said Danielle Elliott, a Realtor who has complained vociferously to the city about the dearth of parking. "The area just cannot accommodate any more restaurants."
Abrams, accustomed to the Big Apple's walkability, couldn't agree more about his first foray into the Big Orange's car culture. He said he has been taken aback by the hostility residents have displayed at community meetings....
After all, Abrams told residents, he would be bringing 60 jobs, $1.3 million in payroll and, potentially, half a million dollars in tax revenue during a time of economic distress. Many locals have signed letters of support for his indoor and outdoor seating plans, but he said he was surprised by activists' "vitriol."
Abrams said he has lined up some exclusive parking spaces and plans to sponsor a valet stand — at a projected cost of as much as $30,000 a year.
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