There is no organized effort to exclude chains from the Core, but I do think a lot of people would see the opening of chains as a turning point, and not of the best kind. Note that there are no Starbucks in the Core, and other than fast food and some chain stores on Broadway, all the activity is by independents.

The strength of this neighborhood is in the independents, including the DJ store at 6th & Spring. I don’t think a Famima would be a bad thing, but look at their market, it is NOT residents, it is the office lunch crowd and the nearby businesses.

Still, competition is good. I’ve heard great things about the sandwiches they make at old bank district market.

A Famima might kill his business. Yes I’d like it to be open a little later, but that kind of competition would be unfair.

I wish I knew the name of the guy’s store, but it’s right across the street from Pete’s.

And that DJ store is a music store, they have instruments there, but the DJ equipment helps them stay open.

Though I greatly prefer Famima over 7-eleven. The customer service at Famima is consistently great, 7-eleven, not so great and I see a wider variety of people employed at Famima. It seems to actually take applications from people off the street and look at them (i’ve never seen anyone just get a random job at 7-eleven) and we do need more jobs.

Browne

As for American vs. Japanese, I don’t care. Regardless of who owns the company in question, they are hiring locals to work in them. Those are jobs that are being given to people who LIVE HERE.

Just as you can’t say “Toyota” or “Ford” is or isn’t American, a local operation or facility is just that, hiring locals and stimulating the local economy.

While I’m concerned about the proximity of the Famima! locations (like Starbucks they might cannibalize each others business) I am all for diversity and options.

It looks as if it has become a 7-11 vs. Famima thing. Very simply, I think Famima’s are great, in Korea town or Little Tokyo, but their prices are higher, they have less of the day to day items that are needed, and the SCREAM Asian. Not being partial, but 7-11’s are not only more American, but they are actually much more upscale now, and if you haven’t seen for yourself at the 7th and Olive, They have INCRIDIBLE holiday spirit and add a ton to the neighborhood. They are also now the safest as they are big on security which actually DOES makes the corner much cleaner, so no choice really.

When people think 7-11, they think of the old 7-11, the new 7-11’s are classy and clean, and the city could actually use a few more, no Famima’s need apply.