Talk about entitlement. There's a Borders less than three miles away, and public libraries in both directions.

Rick Caruso is not running a charity. If he were simply greedy, he wouldn't have LOWERED the rent for Barnes & Noble last year. But that's exactly what he did. If he were only concerned about money, he would have put CVS in that location three years ago when they first approached. Instead, he charged BELOW market rent, but maybe he can't anymore. He has employees. Board members. Stakeholders. I doubt he sits up on a hill, rolling around in dollar bills and the tears of poor people.

This isn't a movie where the evil developer is twirling his mustache while the kids stage a dance-off to save the community center. This is a BUSINESS. It's called Encino MARKETPLACE. If this truly is your "literacy center" and the cultural heart of Encino, then I feel sorry for you. You want a gathering place? Don't expect someone else to foot the bill for it or charge below fair market rent just because you like taking little Conor to storytime. Open a reading room. Cultivate community and build culture in your neighborhood in a location NOT centered around commerce. Take your kids to the library - it's a FANTASTIC place.

I like the store (and actually bought quite a bit there), but Barnes & Noble is not the little guy, or the underdog. They forced many small booksellers out of business years ago. To think that people are now marching in their name is amusing and bizarre.

To " TLC"

I am not sure how to read your comments. Before I suggest some conclusions, let me state the following:

1. In our very busy world, if you have a bookstore that is used for children's storytelling, community chats, book readings and signings, and gift buying, 3 miles away is a world away. I don't think you get the sense of community we have.

2. Caruso never lowered BN's rent. He did not increase it in 2009. There is a difference.

3. No one called the books store a cultural center. Please! The point is BN was seen as a valuable part of our community. We met there, bought there, traded ideas there, spent family time there.

4. No one is so naive to characterizet BN as the "little guy" in this fight. But versus ANOTHER nameless-faceless-inert drug store corporation and a very wealthy developer who never loses the chance to say how important book stores and community are, BN is our horse in this fight and we're okay with that.

5. No one is anti-business here. But we don't like how this decision was done fairly secretly by the Council and Caruso. It's that part of business and profit we don't like.

I could go on knocking down your ideas. But here's the kicker: I suspect you might actually be directly linked to one of the business interests involved, given your fairly one-sided vitriol. I'm a father, husband, community volunteer, local business owner and resident of Encino. Who are you?

It is as simple as this.. We want a bookstore, not another drug store! We like having a place to read, buy books, magazines, gifts, music, have book signings and readings. We love story time with our kids and toddlers... B and N is a destination for many people. Their sales have not been down... Why did Mr. Caruso feel the need to mislead us about that? Why did the Encino council not see the problem that they would cause by approving such a move? Not only are we angry about the B and N leaving, we are furious about what will be replacing it, AND most importantly we feel cheated by a leadership council that does not have our community's best interest in mind. While we would really like is for B and N to stay, we understand about business decisions too. Find a business that would allow our community to thrive... without the redundancy of another drug store or super market.

The ENC shouldn't have approved the conditional use permit on the grounds that Encino is already over the limit for liquor licenses in the area. David Deason, VP of Development @ Barnes & Noble publicly stated that they were paying a seven figure rent last year, which, in this economy IS a fair market value. Go check. However, they couldn't pay what CVS is offering. You're right, Caruso doesn't owe Encino residents anything. The anger directed at Caruso stems from A) his claim that Barnes & Noble chose to leave due to lack of sales. Later Deason clearly stated that was untrue, and B) Caruso spews about his respect for the needs and wants of community on his website: http://www.carusoaffiliated.com/companyProfile/approach.shtml
"Create a partnership with the community: We believe in creating a true partnership with each community we develop in. By working hand-in-hand with the local homeowners, we build town centers that are specifically catered to the individual needs of a community. By including the community in the process, we give residents a sense of pride and a genuine feeling of ownership." Excuse me? C) Finally, Caruso has announced that he might be running for Mayor. Again, an indication that perhaps he cares about the needs/wants of communities? You'd think. Yet, someone who forces out a community's only bookstore to put in yet another drugstore in an area already teeming with pharmacies isn't quite something he can brag about come election time.

And I will restate my opinion as well: Caruso doesn't owe Encino anything... I said it above and I'll say it again, because you so much enjoy pointing this out. You're right. He owes Encino nothing. Get over yourself. He has a right to do what he wants and Encino has a right to let him know that they, as a community, are unhappy about it. IF CARUSO DOESN'T GIVE A CRAP ABOUT WHAT ENCINO WANTS, HE SHOULDN'T CLAIM THAT HE DOES. End of story.

And I'll repost the same reply to you on the LAist article:

Many have predicted that bookstores are heading towards extinction. Fighting against that is not an indication that a group is entitled or spoiled. You characterize Encino residents with highlights, UGG boots and Starbucks cups in the same cartoonish way you depict Caruso twirling his mustache and rolling around in his money. If this protest was occurring in an impoverished area and you saw kids holding picket signs fighting to save their only bookstore, would you scoff? Encino residents are generally affluent and quiet. It's nice to see Americans fighting for ANYTHING these days... and books, literacy and the desire for locations that enhance a feeling of community in this era of internet isolation are things worth fighting for. You want to support causes like Haiti? Great. Do it. Just don't bitch at Encino for standing up for something that's important to them.

Encino does have a museum... and by the way, if you look up Encino, a picture of B and N is in the gallery of places of interest...