Trader Vic's Downtown Los Angeles!, Los Angeles, CA (restaurant) - Locating Tiki

T TikiTacky Member Joined: Nov 23, 2010 Posts: 1319	T TikiTacky Posted posted on Wed, Mar 19, 2014 12:08 PM I think the problem that many tiki restaurants run into is simply a fractal expansion of the bad name that "umbrella drinks" got. Initially, these drinks were made using high quality ingredients and were carefully crafted to balance everything that went into it. Over time, increased competition meant lower prices, and lower prices meant compromises in quality. In the end, a Mai Tai at most of these restaurants was a blend of "juice-like ingredients" like Sweet and Sour mix and bright colors. As a result, people started to associate themed restaurants (polynesian themed in particular, but themed in general) with poor quality; and in many cases, they were right. What Anericans want has also changed. They want an upscale experience, but with a budget price. As any business owner knows, with quality, quantity, and value, you can pick any two. As people are more pressed for time and money (any economist will tell you that Americans in general have vastly less buying power and time than they did 50 years ago), what they want in a restaurant isn't what the Trader Vic's and Polynesian Palaces of old had on offer. True, if they find the right market they'll have an easier time of it, but Tiki simply isn't the zeitgeist that it was. Expectations of otherwise are wishful thinking. All the more reason to cherish the locations that have managed to find the right fit for their market and are thriving while still being able to have a tiki vibe: Smuggler's Cove, Hale Pele, Trader Vic's Emeryville, etc. For the other locations, we should accept that they need to make compromises and be grateful for what they can offer (or simply understand when they close that they didn't find the right market). The very fact that so many people within the tiki community fight over what's tiki and what isn't is a good indicator that satisfying a large enough audience to be successful in this venture is a tough business! Immortalize your name for eternity by contributing to The Tikipedia! T-shirts based on vintage tiki matchbooks: TikiTees [ Edited by: TikiTacky 2014-03-19 12:12 ]

I think the problem that many tiki restaurants run into is simply a fractal expansion of the bad name that "umbrella drinks" got. Initially, these drinks were made using high quality ingredients and were carefully crafted to balance everything that went into it. Over time, increased competition meant lower prices, and lower prices meant compromises in quality. In the end, a Mai Tai at most of these restaurants was a blend of "juice-like ingredients" like Sweet and Sour mix and bright colors. As a result, people started to associate themed restaurants (polynesian themed in particular, but themed in general) with poor quality; and in many cases, they were right.

What Anericans want has also changed. They want an upscale experience, but with a budget price. As any business owner knows, with quality, quantity, and value, you can pick any two. As people are more pressed for time and money (any economist will tell you that Americans in general have vastly less buying power and time than they did 50 years ago), what they want in a restaurant isn't what the Trader Vic's and Polynesian Palaces of old had on offer. True, if they find the right market they'll have an easier time of it, but Tiki simply isn't the zeitgeist that it was. Expectations of otherwise are wishful thinking. All the more reason to cherish the locations that have managed to find the right fit for their market and are thriving while still being able to have a tiki vibe: Smuggler's Cove, Hale Pele, Trader Vic's Emeryville, etc. For the other locations, we should accept that they need to make compromises and be grateful for what they can offer (or simply understand when they close that they didn't find the right market).

The very fact that so many people within the tiki community fight over what's tiki and what isn't is a good indicator that satisfying a large enough audience to be successful in this venture is a tough business!

Immortalize your name for eternity by contributing to The Tikipedia!

T-shirts based on vintage tiki matchbooks: TikiTees

[ Edited by: TikiTacky 2014-03-19 12:12 ]

Post #711607 by TikiTacky on Wed, Mar 19, 2014 12:08 PM

Immortalize your name for eternity by contributing to The Tikipedia!