Gustavo Zermeno’s mural of a panhandling Abbot Kinney found its way onto the front of Windward Farms
After 28 years — long enough to see Venice transform from being disparaged as the “slum by the sea” into one of the priciest real estate markets in Los Angeles — neighborhood market and deli Windward Farms expects to close by the end of October.
Recent 60-day notice of a 120% rent increase is to blame, said owner John Shin, who estimates he’d have to double his prices to stay afloat.
“We are being squeezed out by our landlord,” reads a note to customers posted on the door. “We are heartbroken that we can no longer be here to feed you. … We have seen your children grow up, and you have seen our children grow up.” Some of the market’s employees, it adds, will get jobs at nearby Hama Sushi, whose owners “live and breathe Venice.”
A few days ago, someone put a replica of artist Gustavo Zermeno’s mural of Venice founder Abbot Kinney panhandling for rent money on the upper right corner of the 1930 building’s brick façade. Shin, whose parents bought the market 23 years ago, has no plans to take it down.
“I grew up here and I’ve seen all the changes. It probably reached a high point a few years ago when Snapchat came in … then left a bunch of empty buildings and took a lot of jobs. It’s no longer a community anymore — it’s a place for rich people to invest in. You don’t see as many people who live here and own here,” he said. “It definitely feels like we’re going backward. The upper tier is buying it up; the bottom tier is homeless people from all over the country; the middle is gone.”
— Joe Piasecki
Great white and the venice chamber of commerce is to blame. #boycottgreatwhite #boycottfransico
Sad news. Thank you owner John Shin and your friendly staff for the years of service to the community. This great little market will be missed!
my FB post that Great White – decided not to post on their FB page.
How unfortunate that you think you are bringing people to Windward Circle. If you were really part of the community, you would know that people like myself have been here 20 years and longer, and we go to Windward Farms every weekend. We went to Danny’s, Surfside & the Surf Shop. Do you realize how many people you have offended and how many people you have turned away? Please think before you claim to be a local and part of the community, because a true Venetian would have never made the comments you guys did. Remember, the locals are what keep you going in the winter months. How sad my heart is that we are losing Windward Farms. If you really wanted to be part of the community, maybe you would have partnered with them to help them stay open. This is a HUGE LOSS FOR THE VENICE COMMUNITY AND WINDWARD CIRCLE.
I’m not familiar with Great white’s role in Windward Farms closing. I know they took over and are sitting on the old Subway space. And I know they took over Bank of Venice. How do they factor in here? Thanks.
Great White has nothing to do with this closing. Nor are they taking the space. Landlord increased the rent and Windward Farms is leaving. Full stop.