Seems everyone is interested in talking about Larchmont these days. Government and economic strategies consultant Dwayne A. Gathers focused his podcast at CivitasLA on the economics of Larchmont Blvd to kick of his 2022 series. Gathers, who lives around the corner from Larchmont and can often be found there, approached me last year about our Larchmont 2021 Community Conversations process. Gathers was curious to explore the challenges facing local small businesses on the street.
“We meet diverse leaders who make an impact on civic life in their communities, and hear the unique perspectives they bring to the challenges in our region on our podcast,” explained Gathers.
I introduced him to Todd Warner, owner of Tailwaggers Pets Food and Supply, which opened on Larchmont last year in the middle of the pandemic, and Joanna Vernetti, co-owner with her husband chef Steve Vernetti of their eponymous restaurant since 2013. Both agreed to share their experience as business owners on Larchmont.
So in December, the three of us went to Emerson College to tape the episode with Gathers. Needless to say it was very cool – I’ve always wanted to be a podcaster!
Using the book, “Larchmont” (always available at Chevalier’s Books) as background, along with my experience with the Larchmont 2021 Community Conversations process, we launched into our discussion with Gathers on evolution of the boulevard (and community); the changing nature of retail, and its impact on maintaining the “village atmosphere” that it’s long been known for. For next hour we shared our perspective on what makes Larchmont special, how businesses survived COVID in the early days and beyond and what it takes to create a thriving business district.
Click here to listen.
