Went to lunch in Beverly Hills today. Coincided with a huge Trump rally/parade.
I guesstimate about 5,000 people marched past us while we ate. Most people just yelled the standard “USA! USA!” chant you’d hear at a soccer match. One lady yelled through a megaphone that “we”, meaning me and everyone at the restaurant with me, were voting for a pedophile on Tuesday. That was news to the couple next to us who were wearing Trump t-shirts for sure.
Earlier, I met a fellow while waiting for the bathroom at the restaurant. We chatted for a moment or two and I mentioned I own a travel company and how bad things are at present for our industry. He replied, “I’m taking flights again, that’s good at least.” I asked if it was weird on planes. He said “no, I’ve heard of incidents but not on my flights,” he paused, smiled, cocked his head and said, “I don’t fly coach anyway.” This same guy ran out to the front of the restaurant and started screaming “YOU ARE ALL RACISTS! ALL OF YOU!” over and over as soon as the Trump parade happened by.
According to the police a competing ANTIFA rally was a few blocks away. They didn’t march past our restaurant though. Darn. I was hoping for a second parade.
One thing hit me during all of this. People are marching for Trump or against Trump for sure, but I think the above image of a boarded up Neiman Marcus on Wilshire Blvd. explains more about the angst and anger in our country than anything else. This is a store in the heart of Beverly Hills just a stones throw from Rodeo Drive. If a high-end boutique can’t survive there, where can it survive? The economy is in a tougher spot than people realize. COVID’s devastation will only show its true impact once the government stops writing checks and bailing out business. No doubt.
A few other random thoughts:
Another boutique that wasn’t boarded up and closed had this outfit in the window:
I think it was custom made for the Chairwoman of T-Mobile and she forgot to pick it up.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Palm trees against a crimson sky. LA sunsets are beautiful.
Coach has designed some limited edition Jean Michel Basquiat inspired hand bags.
The bag pictured is $395, but will probably be a collectors item before you know it. If you are inclined, buy it and put it in a closet and forget about it.
Restaurant: Mirame 419 N. CAÑON DR, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210. Definitely recommend. Small bites Michelin starred chef.
