Venice Shorts: Ben & Jerry’s at the Beach No More

Local Retailer Loses Six-Year Battle With Homelessness, Rampant Crime and Drugs at the Boardwalk!

By Nick Antonicello

Another local business has had enough at the boardwalk as a Ben & Jerry’s franchisee has decided to close its doors on December 21st.

Owner Klaus Moeller made the announcement in an email dated Friday, November 3rd and a follow-up email yesterday November 5th.

In announcing his decision to close the business, Klaus Moeller stated “there are no families with children that dare frequent the boardwalk, especially local families.”

In emailing his intention to close operations, Moeller noted $500,000 was invested in the venture while losing some $200,000 during the height of Covid-19 and the pandemic that forced his store to close for being non-essential, despite having to pay certain fees and taxes to the City of Los Angeles.

Ownership cited multiple break-in’s and theft, children being attacked as well as a murder that took place directly in front of his place of business as just some of the primary reasons he could no longer continue to stay open.

He was also concerned for the safety of his employees closing the business in the evening and the crime element at the beach that places their personal safety at risk.

Moeller also stated a lawsuit that was filed against him for not being “wheelchair compliant” by an attorney who has filed hundreds, if not thousands of such cases over a twenty-year period ending in an out-of-court settlement.

Yo! Venice was notified of a recently similar settlement with a Lincoln Boulevard business over the same issue of not being ADA compliant regarding handicapped parking.

Moeller thanked the LAPD for their ongoing efforts at the boardwalk and will plan “a couple of free ice cream days for veterans and their families and first responders.”

Moeller couldn’t be more supportive of the efforts by the LAPD.

“The police are doing an amazing and so often thankless job. I just cycled down the boardwalk (11/5). Two cop cars making arrests. Two fire trucks on the boardwalk. Guy selling drinks from a cooler outside our store. I don’t really care and like that people are trying to earn money, rather than begging or stealing; just tough when rents are so high, and all these street vendors operate rent free. I feel sorry for the kids that worked for us. We have 5 or 6 people in low season and a dozen during summer. All these jobs are gone. But of course, politicians here couldn’t care less about business/jobs. It’s all about homelessness (mostly out of state) and how everyone can earn money from it – instead of solving it,”  offered Moeller, a respected local businessman and entrepreneur.

Given the experience with operating at the beach, Moeller stated “never again” would he open a business in Los Angeles.

Nick Antonicello is a thirty-year resident of Venice who covers the issues of homelessness locally. A volunteer member of the Oceanfront Committee of the Venice Neighborhood Council (www.venicenc.org), he can be reached via e-mail at nantoni@mindspring.com

in Dining, News
Related Posts

(Video) Downtown SM Eatery Closes Its Doors

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

The Watering Hole Located at 205 Broadway Has an Inactive Website @palisadesnews The eatery, located at 205 Broadway, has an...

Holiday Boutique & Sale Coming to Malibu

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

Attendees Can Expect Original Paintings, Photography, Mosaic Tile, Jewelry, and More Malibu Art Association’s Holiday Boutique & Sale is set...

L.A. Times Takes Legal Action Over Official’s Intoxication During Palisades Fire

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

A Court Petition States That the Department Did Not Discipline Those Involved By Zach Armstrong City News Service is reporting...

“Grandmother of the Internet” Sharla Boehm’s Home Lists for $5.45M

November 26, 2023

November 26, 2023

She Passed Away Earlier This Year Shortly After the Death of Her Husband By Zach Armstrong A five-bedroom, five-bathroom $5.45...

Castellammare Property on Market for $3.6M

November 26, 2023

November 26, 2023

Thoughtful Design and Expansive Windows Seamlessly Connect the Dwelling to a Terraced Garden This Mid-Century home at 320 Bellino Dr....

Michael Lane Home Lists for Under $2M

November 26, 2023

November 26, 2023

Spanning a Well-Crafted Area of 2,435 Square Feet Across Three Levels The $1.8 million townhouse located at 1694 Michael Ln...

Winter Wonderland Coming to Palisades

November 24, 2023

November 24, 2023

Santa Claus Photo-Ops and More By Zach Armstrong Lighting of the tree, strolling entertainment, and more is hitting Pacific Palisades...

Venice Shorts: High School Student Athlete Makayla Cox Making a Difference!

November 24, 2023

November 24, 2023

Fifteen-Year Old Founder of “Clean up the Beach” Urges Individuals to “Be Nice”  To Venice!  By Nick Antonicello Being a...

Feeding Birds at Santa Monica Pier Now Prohibited

November 24, 2023

November 24, 2023

Studies Show Bacterial Readings by the Pier Could Be Related to Pigeon Droppings The Santa Monica City Council recently passed...

Burglars Apprehended After Stealing Safe From Resident

November 24, 2023

November 24, 2023

Reports Indicated a Suspicious Vehicle Was Observed Leaving the Area On Nov. 21, around 12:45 PM, Santa Monica Police Department...

Promenade Restaurant Undergoes Transformation

November 22, 2023

November 22, 2023

Its New Executive Chef Brings Over Two Decades of Culinary Expertise From Michelin-Starred Restaurants Twelve Twelve Santa Monica has unveiled...

(Video) Vegan Fast Food Now on Venice Boardwalk

November 22, 2023

November 22, 2023

Mr. Charlie’s is a plant-based, humorous version of McDonalds. @palisadesnews Mr. Charlie’s is now open in Venice. #venice #venicebeach #losangeles...

French Cuisine Residency Comes to Palisades Village

November 21, 2023

November 21, 2023

Palisadians Don’t Have to Travel to Paris By Zach Armstrong Throughout the end of the year, Vincent Samarco of the...

Three-Course Thanksgiving Meal Coming to Malibu Restaurant

November 21, 2023

November 21, 2023

Discounts for Children 12 Years and Younger By Zach Armstrong To celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, Geoffrey’s Malibu located at 27400...

Santa Monica Hotel Reaches Agreement with Striking Workers

November 21, 2023

November 21, 2023

It Is the First Hotel in Santa Monica to Reach an Agreement Amid Citywide Hotel Sector Strikes and the Fifth...