   |  When the Next Wave Wipes OutMarch 4, 2009 at 12:10 am by john So this is recession related and Eagle Rock related, but only tangentially wine related. In case you missed it, the NYTimes did a piece last week on the struggling businesses in Eagle Rock and it has caused quite a ruckus amongst Eagle Rock natives and newbies alike. The writer and everyone interviewed for this article are either customers, friends or both, and Jennifer and I were both interviewed a handful of times, but were ultimately edited out of the final piece. While there are very respectable arguments for and against the opinions in this piece, there is no doubt that it struck a cord. I'll just throw one opinion into the mix on the whole idea of gentrification/de-gentrification/ hipsterville/ the next silverlake this-and-that.... As much as any neighborhood in Los Angeles, the Eagle Rock commercial corridor is full of first-time entrepeneurs making a very conscious decision to bet their dreams and livelihoods on this neighborhood -- it's diverse, it's open, it's wacky as all hell (that's a good thing) and it's a great place to raise a family. If the idea were to make a quick buck, all these businesses would have sprung up elsewhere in LA. Eagle Rock is not going to be the next anything, it's Eagle Rock and that's a unique and wonderful thing in a city where neighborhoods are becoming bland cubby holes for big chain stores. And to those that are wishing for the 'new' businesses of Eagle Rock to go out of business or go away? Sorry, Charlie....aint gonna happen. Leave a comment  JJ said:I have watched with dismay as formerly funky communities in LA have become overrun with well-heeled hipsters. As an exile from the Abbot Kinney neighborhood of Venice, I feared the same phenomenon might happen to Eagle Rock. Eagle Rock doesn't need more consumers of cool who are constantly pressed for time and a perfect parking space. When these folks move in, a real sense of community moves out. So, I welcome a little retrenchment while continuing to patronize the businesses of Eagle Rock that provide personal service and good value. March 5, 2009 12:33 PM Ray Jurado said:As a twenty-year resident of Eagle Rock, I've seen lots of changes in the old neighborhood, some good, some not so good. On balance though, the changes have made it better place to live. The schools have improved, crime is down, property values are comparably stable, and there are enough business to do most of your shopping/consuming here. My wife and I are glad we decided to move here. (Don't tell her. It was MY idea....) As great as it is, Eagle Rock will never be like Silver Lake or the westside. The demographic, though changing, will never be the same. And you know what -- I'm fine with that. If we had wanted to live on the westside, we would have. March 5, 2009 4:03 PM Nancy said:Eagle Rock is fantastic! Thank God for the new entrepeneurs who have brought a deeper quality and unique experiences to the area!!Everything cool in the Glendale / Pasadena area is happening in Eagle Rock. March 6, 2009 3:55 PM April said:I appreciated your blog. I'm sorry you were cut from the NY times! I rented my first apartment in Eagle Rock about 10 years ago and it was nothing like the Eagle Rock we have today. I agree with those of you who are not looking to make Eagle Rock the "next Silverlake". It should just be the "only eagle Rock" with it's own unique identity. Silverlake is far too hip for it's own good. I can't afford a home there or find a parking space. I'm far more partial to Eagle Rock and thank John, Jen and the rest of those wonderful folks who took a chance on a dicey neighborhood and helped to turn it into a great place to live. March 7, 2009 12:42 AM Diane Toomey said:Sorry, NYT, you didn't get it right! We are a community first, hip or not; who cares? We will all weather these economic doldrums with the unique individuality we cultivate here. Eagle Rock has been my home for 15 years. I love the variety of mico-neighborhoods, eats and the people (mainly seen at TJs). The tone of the article seems to have been fabricated to fit into the woe-is-me attitude portrayed in the majority of the media. Too bad- I had held the NYT in higher esteem til I read this. Thanks J&J for your weekly uplift! Keep up the good work. You are a class act!P.S. Tracy King: you are the queen of ER, as far as I'm concerned!! March 8, 2009 8:50 PM Motorcycle Mark said:I have been here off and on for over 12 years myself. I have seen lots of changes in the people and businesses during this time, some make it, some don't, it is not up to us to judge, which is why I like the wine company. I don't always feel like I fit in, but I have made enough friends there, including Jen and John, where I feel comfortable. Eagle Rock is my home and I don't stray often to spend my money elsewhere. Now if we could only do something about the taggers... March 10, 2009 1:35 PM Maria N. said:I have lived in Eagle Rock for 34 years. Grew up here, went to school here, got my first job here (Boyer Cleaners, next to Trader Joes - anyone remember?), moved away, and came back when my husband and I got the chance to buy my parent's home... my childhood home. Now my kids go to my same elementary school, and my husband teaches at our alma mater. Eagle Rock *is* a great place to raise a family. It *has* gone through many, many changes. And incredibly enough, it continues to be the same great place it has ALWAYS been. I'm very glad to have the "new" establishments we now have, as I'm glad to have the "old" ones. But, after having read the NY Times article, I was non-too-pleased to hear some of the newer residents say they were disappointed that Eagle Rock would never be the hip place they hoped it would be when they moved here. As far as I'm concerned --- Eagle Rock is *THE* hippest place in the world. (Well, alright... maybe a CLOSE second). And lastly, thanks to Jen and John for creating such a fun and welcoming environment. Funny enough, my husband and I don't really drink, but have found ourselves inviting friends to the wine tasting events every now and then. CoWineCo is our 1st choice for gifts. They are ALWAYS extremely helpful in helping us choose the perfect wine gift.Thanks guys! 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As another one quoted in the infamous piece and a major Eagle Rock booster and long-time resident, I think one of the great strengths of Eagle Rock is its diversity of every possible description. Ethnic, economic, family, sexual orientation, even political party though I'm prejudiced on this one!--all are welcome. The true Eagle Rock business model is the perception of quality for value. That means that whatever you're selling, it needs to be perceived as a great deal. That's why we love CoWineCo with its Wine for Everyone vibe. And so many more places: Dave's Chillin & Grillin, Lemongrass, Blue Hen,Coffee Table, Casa Bianca, Pete's Blue Chip,Elvira's,Brownstone Pizza,Swork,Pat & Lorraines, Armon's, Colombo's, Auntie Em's, Fatty's, Classic Thai, Cafe Beaujolais, Petit Beaujolais, La Fuente, Senor Fish--some have been here 50 years, some 2 years, they are all different, they are locally owned, no corporate presence here. And that's just some of the eats and drinks, there are so many more businesses to stand up and celebrate, but I'm sure I'll run out of room. I volunteered to work with Denise Miller to put a listing for every business in Eagle Rock on the Chamber of Commerce website FOR FREE, just so we can assemble in one place a directory that's easy to access and update and so everyone can easily find all of our treasures. A lot of people have poured their hearts, souls,money and time into making Eagle Rock the unique neighborhood it is and a number of great organizations exist to promote that, including TERA and the Chamber. This town deserves our love and support and those who want to close the doors to new stuff miss the point. Life is change, it's a choice to make it in a positive direction.
March 5, 2009 10:44 AM