Post #295468 by Tom Slick on Thu, Mar 29, 2007 9:57 AM

Ok, this is sort of a bump, because this topic was more than half way down page 1(the old Out-Of-Sight/Out-Of-Mind scenario). So the "sort of a bump" made me proactive. I called KCET and emailed Huell Howser productions. Now SOK,i know, i know....But, Mr. Howser just might be our ticket to exposure. Just a good tele-documentary will raise awareness in the communtiy, with alot of people not even knowing this little gem we call "Trader Vic's" exists at all! Anyhow, below is what i wrote to them:
Hello,
To Mr. Howser or whom it may concern,
The Famous Restaurant Trader Vic's in Beverly Hills(on the property of the Beverly Hilton) is scheduled for demolition. The demolition is part of a multi million dollar expansion sometime this year. The property owner has plans to "donate" to the city another traffic lane on Santa Monica Blvd. WEST, in hopes to "scratch the city's back" for positive impact results for his expansion. Trader Vic's is NOT going to remain after completion of the Beverly Hilton project. Here's where you can come in. In your shows, you show places of preservation or interest that many do not know of. Trader Vic's of Beverly Hills fits this category.
(a) It is well preserved mid century architecture at its finest. Something that is lost everyday here in Southern California due to "progress".
(b) It represents a time when drinking a mai tai at a tropical themed bar in "Hollywood" was the place to be,the thing to do, and still holds true today.
(c) I know of no other establishment that still stands today, that has served food & drinks, from Frank Sinatra to Ozzy Osbourne...Nothing tops Trader Vic's.
(d) Many high profile celebrities and World leaders have dined at Trader Vic's in Beverly Hills.
(e) It is still the busiest Trader Vic's of all franchises.
(f) Trader Vic's is believed to be one of Beverly Hills oldest and unmolested businesses in the face of "modernizing" or remodeling.

I would hope you could take the time to look into this issue at hand, and maybe record a piece of Tropical history for all to see and enjoy. There is enough stories about the place to support a full episode, including the famous who dined there, and who created the visually stimulating restaurant retreat and archictecture, even the historic making of the first mai tai.
If you would like to discuss this to learn a little more, feel free to call me at(310)xxx-xxxx day phone or by email
at [email protected]. (x's used for privacy on TC) Thank you for your precious time, and I hope you review your thoughts about this "almost lost" treasure we call
Trader Vic's of Beverly Hills.
Sincerely,
Tom Pearson aka "Tom Slick"

How did the email sound? I like honest criticism, and god knows we have alot of those critics right here on TC!How fortunate, now hammer away! haha

[ Edited by: Tom Slick 2007-03-29 10:04 ]