It’s not just big chain retailers like Do Won and Jin Sook Chang’s Forever 21 that are having brick-and-mortar issues these days. Even high-end local icons aren’t immune to the challenges of life in an ecommerce world.
Ron Robinson, a pioneer of the store-within-a-store concept when he opened his first boutique inside Fred Segal on Melrose in 1978, plans to shutter his physical locations in Beverly Grove and Santa Monica early next year.
But Robinson is quick to point out that this move is by choice, not by necessity. After 41 years of physical retail, he sounds eager to embrace what digital has to offer. “The time feels right to make room for fresh experiences,” Robinson said a statement. “Life, as they say, is a journey, and I feel myself being pulled more and more toward new adventures … new ways of expressing my creative vision.”
Robinson plans to continue offering his curated mix of fashion for men, women and children along with luxury home design, fragrances and lifestyle products on both RonRobinson.com and Apothia.com.
“(This) is not bankruptcy, losing our lease, going out of business, or a relocation sale,” Robinson reiterates. “This is the way my journey is unfolding.”
Plans are in the works for a December grand finale and farewell party at the Ron Robinson stores.
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Bronx-born music mogul Tommy Mottola may be an East Coast guy, but he’s now officially part of L.A. lore. The industry icon who shaped the careers of stars like Hall and Oates, Carly Simon and Celine Dion — and, of course, ex-wife Mariah Carey — was honored recently with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Music producer David Foster introduced Mottola at the ceremony, saying quite accurately, “If you hadn’t been born, music and pop culture would sound and look different today.”
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This should make for interesting viewing. Showtime plans a limited-series focused on the behind-the-scenes drama at Uber. “Billions” showrunners Brian Koppelman and David Levien will produce the tale of the rideshare giant launched by L.A. resident (and Wealthiest Angelenos member) Travis Kalanick.
