Sad To See It Go
Billingsley's Restaurant in Van Nuys is closing after 36 years in service, next to the golf course at Van Nuys Airport.
This legendary Valley establishment served all kinds of people over the years. I even had some poached eggs there in 1973. Many of the regulars knew the place was owned and operated by the sons of "June Cleaver," actress Barbara Billingsley.
The last few years this place has been harrassed by the city including almost going under due to that damn living wage ordinance. Further batterment by all the damn onerous regulations government puts on honest businesspeople and you just can't make it work if you're a mom and pop business.
What the socialists that run this city don't understand is the best way to get a "living wage" is to get a job, work hard and continue to educate/improve yourself so you become more and more valuable to employers. As well, the surest way out of poverty is to allow people to start small businesses and work their way up. As the owner of Billingsley's - Drew Billingsley - noted in the Daily News article, only the large corporations can afford to run individual restaurants with all the restrictions these days. Imagine a Larry Cano of El Torito trying to start his chain in this environment - you just can't do it. I guess if you want to start some Melrose, crap, small portion, shi shi restaurant where half a twig costs $45, you can afford to do that - but if you want to feed middle class families - forget it!
It's a real shame how things are going in this country these days.
Posted by Mayor Sam @ 12/31/2004 08:52:00 AM
9 Comments:
What a coincidence. It was at Billingsley's Restaurant that the idea of recalling Antonio Villaraigosa was first discussed.
Parks is probably the best "pro-business" candidate.
I don't know what Parks personal experience in business is/was (a lot of cops have businesses on the side) but his voting record is remarkably pro-business for an LA City Councilman.
Wendy Greuel is also somewhat pro-business and I would suspect that comes from growing up in her grandfather's construction supply business (which her mother still runs) and she would have some sympathy for business owners. However, she is wrong on the Studio City Golf issue.
Check out this L.A. Business Journal article on Parks' stand on business at http://bernardparks.com/pdf/10-04-04_ANTI-HAHN.pdf
Here's what will happen. Some alleged person with alleged connections to Councilman Tony Cardenas will allegedely get the contract to the run the restaraunt, but of course as a "Hispanic" eatery to "reflect the community." To get the contract, they will have to of course agree to all the living wage and other job/busines killing nonsense that gets inflicted on business in the area. As such, the economics of such make it impossible for the new restaurant as well to survive. BUT DON'T WORRY...Cardenas will allegedly get alleged government money - CRA, Airport money, etc. to keep the place afloat - everyone makes out - except the taxpayers of course.
Back to the real topic on this thread, the closing of the old famous restaurant. Blame it on the LAWA and it's Airport Commission. They own and run the Van Nuys golf course and the land the restaurant is on.
Check and see that they have done nothing to maintain that facility or the facilities for the attached par three golf course or any of their facilities, except increase the rental and demand more improvements. The department (LAWA)is like a fat scavenger pig, that eats everything around it and leaves nothing but waste in it's wake.
Where MAYOR HAHN is your business team to try to save this old landmark restaurant? Where Mayor Hahn are you ?
HEY, WHERE WAS/IS THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY IN TRYING TO SAVE THIS RESTAURANT ?
What do they do other than design logo's for the Valley(like the City's logo isn't enough)? What do they do other than 'studies' for which they are paid lots of dollars by foundations and plan one big party each year.
How much does their CEO get paid ? What does he do for it..and what are they going to do trying to help save this restaurant ?
The Living Wage Ordinance insures less people work. What a pile of (steaming hot) poop. Another great gift from Jackie Goldberg and the Unions. Someday LA will be pro-business again. Until then, all the start ups and mom and pop places will suffer. Unless they go elsewhere.
It is sad to this landmark go away. I knew a great deal of people who spent a lot of time there and at the golf course. Hopefully, LAWA won't let the course go anywhere either. For us golf hacks, its the best place 9 hole around other than waiting forever at Rancho Park. It's a real shame to see it go.
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