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Tiki Central / Locating Tiki / Sam's Seafood/ Don the Beachcomber, Sunset Beach, CA (restaurant)

Post #798386 by mikehooker on Thu, Oct 31, 2019 1:37 PM

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On 2019-10-30 15:17, Ryan Partridge wrote:

On 2019-10-29 10:37, kkocka wrote:

On 2019-10-29 08:09, Ryan Partridge wrote:
answers

Thanks for that clarification. Seems a bit unfortunate, there's plenty of good stuff to salvage I'm sure - at the very least, the tikis. So when that building goes kaput, do you think the owner will keep it all or sell it/set it free? I'd love to get my grubby hands on something.

I've talked several times with the property owner in person. He's assured me he won't let that stuff go unless someone wants the space without a use for the tikis/tropical decor. He really just wants someone to use the space, and according to him, he never raised Don's rent or forced her out. He believes she got to the point where she just did not want to do it anymore, and was surprised that she did it as long as she did after Art passed away.
When the word on the street was that she wanted to find a smaller space for less money, I had suggestions for specific properties close by. But as time goes on, it appears she has no interest in re-opening elsewhere. Even if Don's Instagram still occasionally posts "On The Move" or "Coming Soon" "Stay Tuned".
I wish she would re-open Don's.
And I hope the Sam's building gets restored/preserved and never goes away too.

I'm certainly no expert but having dealt with a lot of greedy landlords over the last few years I'd lean more toward the word of a tenant on these matters. In the recent interview with Martin and Marc about Max's Southseas on the Desert Oasis Room podcast they mentioned having tried to take the old Don's space but it was in such rough shape much of the original structure wouldn't be salvageable and they'd have to basically re-build/create a similar building to do what they envisioned. Ultimately the deal fell through due to unfavorable terms with the landlord. I don't imagine many people can make something work in that space if those two can't.