Post #227947 by christiki295 on Fri, Apr 21, 2006 6:15 PM

On 2006-04-20 11:40, Digitiki wrote:
I have an idea. Why don't we draft a letter to TV's corporate headquarters and the Hilton's HQ from all of us at Tiki Central, just letting them know diplomatically that there is a large community of patrons out here and our desires to see the icon continue to operate.

Such could not hurt, and might even be helpful. However, there are much larger forces at work:

The questions (as I see them - and I don't pretend to see everything) are:

1. Is it worth more to the developer to demolish TV BH (and pay TV BH the $$$ penalty for breaking the lease) in order to build very expensive condos?

(The answer must be "yes," otherwise the developer would not have purchased the property.)

2. Can socio-political pressure or the BH zoning board require the developer to change the architectural plans to maintain Trader Vic's?

(I hope so)

3. If required to move, will the annual income for TV BH for the past years, which is a strong indicator on next year's expected profits, encourage TV to relocate in LA?

(Yes. From my personal research, TV BH is raking it in - The bar is usually crowded, sometimes mobbed on the weekends- and selling liquor is pure profit. Their expensive entrees are also priced to generate a considerable profit.)

4. Will the cost of constructing a new location, and the cost of a long-term lease agreement in LA, be such that TV can still make a profit?

(While I have no idea how much it costs to construct, remodel or open a a restaurant, new restaurants open every week in this town. Alsoi, LA is a huge market, with many 20-40 year-old singles to hang at the bar and many well-healed patrons to purchase entrees from the expensive menu. Therefore, the answer has to be yes.)

5. Will the next location adversely impact the profits because (a) it will not be at such an incredibly busy intersection and (b) it will be in a new location, whereas the current location has existed for approx 50 years?

(I don't know. However, I think this is where such a letter would be useful - show TV owenership that there are loyal fans who will eagerly re-appear at the next location.)

6. Are the owners game for giving it a try?

(Yes. TV appears to be in an agressive expansion mode, with new locations opening in Emmeryville/Oakland, San Francisco, Scottsdale and Vegas all within the last several years.)

To me, TV BH will remerge, based on these elements.

[ Edited by: christiki295 2006-04-21 18:27 ]