Steve & Barry’s: What Went Wrong

I’ve been fascinated by the rapid rise and even faster decline of Steve & Barry’s, the discount clothing chain that recently declared bankruptcy for the second time in three months — and is now shutting down for good.

The chain is liquidating its merchandise, although I didn’t find any real bargains during a recent trip to the Burbank location. That’s because the liquidators — sneaky as they are — have decided to knock 30% off a higher price point than the $8.98 that all Steve & Barry’s merchandise had been selling for.

Yep — $8.98. That may explain why Steve & Barry’s collapsed so quickly. The profit margins are either razor-thin, or not there at all, with those kind of prices. It’s rumored that Steve & Barry’s basically survived off of the shopping malls that provided incentives to the stores in bringing them in.

The chain also expanded too soon and too fast. We wrote about Steve & Barry’s arrival to Burbank last year.. but even then it seemed strange that the store could survive on so little.

Now here’s your answer: It couldn’t. That’s a shame — in these tough economic times, a bargain clothier like Steve & Barry’s should thrive. Instead, the store will soon cease to exist.

Here’s more from Business Week:

Yet Steve & Barry’s is a retail casualty. Design couldn’t save the day for this chain. Aggressive growth, instead, seemed to be the company’s goal—and perhaps its downfall. It’s bankrupt. While growth is what every business strives for, obviously, when is enough enough? Could Steve & Barry’s still be doing well, if it didn’t push for opening nearly 300 stores — almost ten times the number of stores it had five years ago — in such a relatively short time? If the company had focused more on design and quality at super-low prices, which seemed to be a priority, instead of the number of stores, perhaps it could have found itself in a different position today. One that would offer cash-strapped consumers fun, well-designed clothing at prices they could afford during the toughest of times, and would allow them to profit from the mass desire for cool apparel at bare-bones prices. Now those customers will be shopping at their competitors’ stores instead.

Steve & Barry’s stores were also located at the Beverly Connection and in Santa Monica, among other spots.

Anyone Else Having A Hard Time Getting Into the Holiday Spirit?

Maybe it’s the down economy. Perhaps I’ve been preoccupied with my office’s recent move, and other things. Our Christmas tree’s not up yet, so maybe that’s it. Could it be the stress of the holidays — get a tree, mail out cards, shop for gifts, attend a myriad of events — that’s turning me off? Then there’s the fact that some of the annual holiday events we attend, like the Los Feliz Holiday Festival, have been canceled.

Whatever it is, I’m just not feelin’ it. The holidays, that is. I haven’t caught the bug, and Christmas is just 17 days away. Every year, I feel less prepared for the season… and every year, it feels like it creeps up faster on us.

Perhaps I’m not the only one. From Wall Street Journal:

y early this year, as the housing downturn accelerated and gas prices rose, the Cleveland-based company’s research showed that consumers, spending more time at home, were focusing on personal relationships and reminiscing about happier times together.

“We could tell the mood was changing fast,” says MJ Smith, American Greetings’ director of consumer and cultural trends. “In the last few years, we’ve had cards with lots of glitter, but that’s just not the mindset anymore — people are more traditional now.”

So American Greetings, which produced some 3,000 holiday-card designs this year, started to recalibrate. One of the first changes: deeper reds and greens.

“Santa is a true, traditional red, instead of the cherry red we’ve used in the past,” says Susan Sliede, director of seasonal planning. “And instead of a shiny pattern on his coat, we’re using flocking,” she said, as she touched the velvet-coated paper.

Any of you having a hard time getting into the spirit this year?

Mixed Verdict for Hugo’s Tacos in Atwater Village

It’s no Yuca’s, but Hugo’s Tacos stands on its own as a solid, slightly gourmet neighborhood taco stand.

A sister to famed brunch spot Hugo’s, Hugo’s Tacos just opened a second location — in Atwater Village. And considering it replaced a old real estate office that had appeared to be on its last legs even in the best of times, it’s a nice new dining alternative for area residents.

We’re familiar with Hugo’s Tacos, having dined at the Studio City location. The Atwater Village spot boasts later hours — until 11.

Like the other location, the new Hugo’s Tacos gives a choice of fillings — chicken, steak, carnitas, al pastor, grilled fish, zucchini/corn/string beans and soy chorizo/potato/zucchini — followed by more choices in the salsa department: Pico de gallo, jalapeno/tomatillo, salsa cruda, honey chipotle, salsa negra, salsa habanero and salsa arbol. I tried the fish with honey chipotle (which has a nice kick) and the soy chorizo with habanero (also nice kick) while Maria got the salad (Romaine lettuce, green beans, corn, zucchini, pico de gallo, cotija cheese and vegan spicy caesar dressing). On a separate visit, Evan got the salsa burger — but minus the salsa.

There’s something holding these tacos back from being better than they are, although I can’t put my finger on it. (I kinda feel that same way. In the meantime, it’s still a good fall back choice for lunch or dinner.)

Get a Piece of the Brown Derby

The Brown Derby may be long gone (except for the old restaurant’s butchered remains, on top of a strip mall across the street from the corpse of the Ambassador Hotel) — but there’s still a chance to grab a piece of the legendary restaurant.

Bonhams & Butterfields auction house will auction the items off on Dec. 21. Some details:

Highlights include a group of four framed ‘hunt’ prints, 1920s-1960s (est. $400/600); an ashtray and boxes of printed matchbooks circa 1960s (est. $300/500); a brass ‘derby’ wall sconce (est. $300/500); a 1920s wooden ‘brown derby’ wall decoration (est. $300/500); and one of the restaurant’s souvenir tablecloths – printed with a map of 1950s Hollywood, with The Brown Derby restaurant right in the center (est. $200/300).

The collection also includes a group of stock certificates (est. $200/300); a group of 1950s coasters and cocktail napkins (est. $100/150); a group of 1920s small numbered brass pins worn by the waiters for identification (est. $100/200); an assortment of dishes from the dining room (est. $200/300); a brass tabletop lamp displaying The Brown Derby’s logo (est. $200/300) and a brick salvaged from the original 1926 structure before it was razed (est. $50/75).

The lot’s preview begins Dec. 19. More details over at Eater LA.

Retro: When The L.A. Times Actually Was The L.A. Times

From 1981: An ad for the Los Angeles Times — get a load of the size of that newspaper on the driveway, as a dog lifts it up with his teeth. Can’t remember the last time my weekday paper looked that big.

Also in this clip: An ad for In N Out Burger, plus a couple of promos for KABC/Channel 7.

Christmas Tree Lighting Attracts Massive Crowd in Atwater Village

More than 1,000 people showed up to usher in the holidays Thursday night in Atwater Village.

The occasion: Atwater Village’s 17th annual tree lighting ceremony. Yes, it’s big — and so is the tree, a natural one that sits on a Glendale Blvd. median all year round, waiting for its annual spotlight come December.

Not only is the Atwater Village tree lighting ceremony one of the biggest of any L.A. neighborhoods, but I’m guessing that it’s the only one sponsored in part by the Black Eyed Peas. That’s right, the group, which records in the neighborhood, was one of several donors who helped make the event possible.

Of course, the event dragged on a little too long for my taste — light the tree, dammit! But the crowd wasn’t just there for the tree; they were also there to catch their children and neighbors from various schools perform. And, perhaps, to feel the Eric Garcetti love.

By the end, Blogger Preschooler was falling asleep, but we managed to prop him up long enough to witness Santa roll in on his fire truck ride. A few more shots:

First Look at the Grammy Museum

Inside the new Grammy Museum. Pic via the LATimes.

I had the opportunity to attend Wednesday night’s Grammy Nominations concert/TV special at the Nokia Theatre (a bland venue I still don’t like).. the Foo Fighters singing “You’re So Vain,” cool; Celine Dion singing “At Seventeen,” er, not so much.

The concert, telecast for an hour live on CBS, was the Recording Academy’s attempt to inject some excitement into the usual award nomination announcement. The show wasn’t too bad (the exceptions being Dion and Taylor Swift — I don’t get, she’d be voted off “American Idol” after a few rounds) — especially when the Foos’ Dave Grohl ironically announced the country duos category.

Also, from the audience, watching groups of pre-teens attempt to walk up to the Jonas Brothers — only to be denied by security — was amusing (that look of frustration on those girls’ faces — ‘We’re so close, yet so far away!!’ — was especially great).

After the broadcast, John Mayer stuck around to perform an hour-long acoustic set, offering up his usual easy-to-swallow-but-not-too-interesting brand of guitar pop. Mayer took the opportunity to blast the tabloid attention to his personal life — name checking his pals at TMZ. (Nope, didn’t see Jennifer Aniston anywhere.)

(Flickr pic by Intellichick.)

MEANWHILE, the highlight of the evening was afterward, when I got a chance to check out the new Grammy Museum at LA Live.

Rather than offering up a static collection of music memorabilia and Grammy statues, the museum offers up 21st century-style interactivity. In this post’s top pic, you can see one of the highlights: A touch screen that allows you to search through an entire history of virtually every music genre at your finger tips.

(Flickr pic by Intellichick.)

Plenty of other stations include lessons on how to remix from Paul Oakenfold; how to sing, from Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis; how to rap, with Jermaine Dupri; and creating beats with DJ Rap. There are several video displays devoted to things such as regional music; great Grammy performances; and more.

(Flickr pic by Intellichick.)

On the downside, sponsorship is everywhere — logos from Target to JBL sprinkle the displays.

But on the bright side, there are plenty of cool pieces of memorabilia to see as well. One letter, from Elvis to a fan (sent right before he became famous)in 1955 reads:

“I don’t love you and I doubt if I ever could, so please let’s be friends and drop it there… P.S. If you write again, please send me a picture for my scrapbook.”

Other items seen: Slick Rick’s eyepatch; the handwritten album notes (by Tupac himself) for Tupac Shakur’s “2pacalypse Now”; a 1957 letter from Buddy Holly to his mother (in which he notes that they were the only white act at a recent Washington D.C. show); a Guns n’ Roses bass drum head from Matt Sorum; Billie Holliday’s costume jewelry; Buddy Rich’s drum sticks; a telegram to a promoter from Count Basie; the Presley Family bible; and one of B.B. King’s suits.

Also: A sparkly dress from Celia Cruz; a 1964 concert program signed by Bob Dylan; the handwritten lyrics (by Eminem) to “Stan”; Louie Armstrong’s neck tie; Glenn Miller’s trombone; a 1966 bass owned by Jimi Hendrix; and a 1978 Davis clavitar (those cool, 80s-style keyboard guitars) from Herbie Hancock.

I’m no fan of how L.A. Live looks, but I’d say the Grammy Museum exceeded expectations. It’s worth a visit, especially with visitors from out of town. And it’s not a big time drain; the museum, which is spread over 4 floors, can probably be fully appreciated in 90 minutes. Tix are $14.95 for adults; $10.95 for kids 6-17.

More Indie 103.1 Changes: Specialty Shows, From "Watusi Rodeo" to "Feel My Heat," Are Axed

The good news: L.A.’s low-rated but much-acclaimed radio outlet Indie 103.1 (KDLD-FM) continues on broadcast, and is about to celebrate its fifth anniversary. That’s a longer lifespan than anything else that has been programmed on the frequency over the past decade and a half (Mars FM, Jazz FM, CD 103.1, Groove Radio, Groove 103.1, Channel 103.1, Super Estrella, KDL 103.1) — and longer than anyone had predicted.

Now, the bad news: Indie’s listenership sucks. Arbitron’s new personal people meter measurement makes it even more clear: Despite all of the buzz, national attention and influential sounds coming out of Indie, few people are listening.

The Indie management are trying to do something about that, but their changes threaten to strip the station of, well, its indie cred. The station’s specialty shows are disappearing, especially in the evening. Gone are Danny Masterson’s “Feel My Heat,” the “Camp Freddy Radio” show and Chris Morris’ Americana-themed “Watusi Rodeo.”

Earlier, morning host Joe Escalante was dropped (although he continues to host the weekly show “Barely Legal Radio,” in which he gives free entertainment legal advice).

Morris writes on his MySpace blog:

Indie 103.1 is now being styled as KROQ Jr. Get used to it.

What’s happening over at Indie is downright sad, but I’ll save further thoughts about that for another time.

The specialty shows are what made Indie special — that’s why I went after “Watusi Rodeo” after Michael “Doc Holiday” Whited, the original host, moved to Tennessee in 2005. Indie’s original PD Michael Steele had enough faith in me to let me take a weekly shift after 30 years off the pro airwaves. It was a pleasure to experience the kind of programming freedom I had in free-form FM radio during the ’70s, and I had a hell of a lot of fun for 148 broadcasts and almost three years. Many thanks to all my wonderful guests and my devoted listeners.

Having been downsized out of my radio gig earlier this year, I feel Chris’ pain. Chris writes that he’s been offered a rockabilly/country show on the online Scion Radio.

Atwater Village Gets Into the Holiday Spirit

A reminder, Atwater Village will throw its free Christmas tree lighting festival tonight at 6:30 p.m. on Glendale Blvd.

Unlike the Grove and Americana trees, the tall one in Atwater Village is very much alive. The event is also a chance to get your kid up close and personal with Santa, without having to plop down those insane mall photo prices.

I’ve been slow to feel the holiday spirit — it really snuck up on me this year — so I hope this event will jump start that cheer. If you see the Franklin Avenue trio there, feel free to unlurk and introduce yourself.

Traffic: Always Had It, Always Will

Let me be the latest to post about the cool photo archives now found at the Life website. Type in “Los Angeles,” and check out some cool shots (and some not so interesting ones, BTW) of L.A. in mid-century.

Above, a reminder that our traffic woes are nothing new…