TRADER VIC's Warehouse Sale - General Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Sat, Mar 1, 2008 7:38 AM I still do not fully understand the meaning of this happening. What DOES this really mean for the future "look" of Trader Vic franchises? The fact that the architects of the new Trader Vic's demand Tikis and decor in specific measurements is one thing, so it would make sense that the poles and the panels would be sold (but can't one cut the poles to size?), and that would affect the tall 10 foot Tikis too (yet does that mean NO exterior entrance Tikis anywhere anymore?). But all the freestanding statues, nautical decor, fish traps, floats, South Sea art, Papua New Guinea masks and shields? Some of that stuff DID find its way into the newer, white wall look Trader Vic's (x-ept Vegas) before, why is that stuff considered not usable anymore??? My fear is that the new CEO from Australia took one look at the warehouse and deemed it all "clutter" and kitsch, (just like their new guy in the 80s did), and that the new look is going to be much more uniform and bland than ever. Against that stands the fact that they did an outstanding job with the Dallas Trader Vic's (well it was already there) and are supposedly holding carvings and decor for the new Chicago one, which is suppose to be more old school. The reason the sale makes sense must have something to do with the way the franchisees pay for the decor (do the they buy it, or just rent it?) OR, Trader Vic's HAS finally seen the light and they are purging their Asian Tikis (!?) :) ...which, incidentally, 99% percent of the unsold ones in the pictures above are: (Jeez, what an abomination! :( ) But then, to my surprise, there supposedly was a large amount of vintage items at the sale, too, like my S.F. " Rosebud" Tiki. I am also unsure if they sold these to generate quick cash ? ...or if that money isn't just a drop in the bucket, and if all the loot we have seen here and are blown away by is just small potatoes for them and can be easily duplicated again. Questions, questions, but I cannot shake the feeling of a stylistic "purge". Hope I am wrong.

I still do not fully understand the meaning of this happening. What DOES this really mean for the future "look" of Trader Vic franchises? The fact that the architects of the new Trader Vic's demand Tikis and decor in specific measurements is one thing, so it would make sense that the poles and the panels would be sold (but can't one cut the poles to size?), and that would affect the tall 10 foot Tikis too (yet does that mean NO exterior entrance Tikis anywhere anymore?).
But all the freestanding statues, nautical decor, fish traps, floats, South Sea art, Papua New Guinea masks and shields? Some of that stuff DID find its way into the newer, white wall look Trader Vic's (x-ept Vegas) before, why is that stuff considered not usable anymore???

My fear is that the new CEO from Australia took one look at the warehouse and deemed it all "clutter" and kitsch, (just like their new guy in the 80s did), and that the new look is going to be much more uniform and bland than ever. Against that stands the fact that they did an outstanding job with the Dallas Trader Vic's (well it was already there) and are supposedly holding carvings and decor for the new Chicago one, which is suppose to be more old school.

The reason the sale makes sense must have something to do with the way the franchisees pay for the decor (do the they buy it, or just rent it?)

OR, Trader Vic's HAS finally seen the light and they are purging their Asian Tikis (!?) :) ...which, incidentally, 99% percent of the unsold ones in the pictures above are:

(Jeez, what an abomination! :( )

But then, to my surprise, there supposedly was a large amount of vintage items at the sale, too, like my S.F. " Rosebud" Tiki.

I am also unsure if they sold these to generate quick cash ? ...or if that money isn't just a drop in the bucket, and if all the loot we have seen here and are blown away by is just small potatoes for them and can be easily duplicated again.

Questions, questions, but I cannot shake the feeling of a stylistic "purge". Hope I am wrong.

Post #364335 by bigbrotiki on Sat, Mar 1, 2008 7:38 AM