2006-08-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

On 17 August 2006, Eating L.A. posted the following:

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About the eminent domain debacle, Surfas responded:

"We hope to have some time before we have to make any decisions. Right now, we are waiting for Culver City to give us a time frame and if this is anything like other City projects, it may take up to a year or even longer. Surfas has no intention of going out of business and we will not be cutting back in any phase of our operation including the web , commercial design and installation of industrial kitchens, food development and equipment supply, store presence etc..

Our company is strong and will continue on the same growth pattern we have always set. We have been in several different locations over the (almost) 70 years since we opened the doors in 1937. All changes in our past have been exciting and this one will be too. You will find the only difference may be that we will be located at another address perhaps next year or in 2008. If Culver City doesn't want us, another city will. As soon as we have more information, we will post it on our website.

Thank you for your interest."
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2006-08-13T17:11:00.000-07:00

In Defense of the Harassed Surfas
Written by Ari L. Noonan
Sunday, 13 August 2006
The Front Page

This is written early on Sunday morning with the sun - not my son - knocking on my door. Long before anyone in the under-siege portion of the business community is stirring from his weekend slumber. At issue this sad summer day is the future of a below-the-radar business that, for the amily of Les Surfas, has been 69 years in the making. Most recently, Mr. Surfas' character also has been potentially called into question...

A Powerful Contrary Opinion
Written by Ari L. Noonan
Friday, 11 August 2006
The Front Page

Every day for more than a week, thefrontpageonline.com has carried hard-hitting stories on City Hall’s bitterly contested seizure of commercial properties belonging to Les Surfas, the harassed owner of Surfas Restaurant Supply, a 69-year-old Culver City business.

Surfas Tells Why He Is Fighting City Hall
Written by Ari L. Noonan
Friday, 11 August 2006
The Front Page

Q. You have rejected the city’s “final” offer of $4.89 million for the properties under four of your buildings. Is there any amount of money you would find satisfactory?

A. This is not about money. This is about right and wrong, the little guy against the city. It is my understanding it is almost impossible to win an eminent domain case. Where eminent domain is wrong is this...

Les Surfas Preparing to Wave Goodbye?
Written by Ari L. Noonan
Wednesday, 09 August 2006
The Front Page

Dispirited and resigned to being forced out of his hometown by City Hall, Les Surfas, proprietor of a multi-building Culver City business that is 69 years old, slumped at his desk. It was late on Tuesday afternoon. Maybe this is his normal posture. Or perhaps the 59-year-old proprietor of the family-owned restaurant supply and gourmet enterprise was fatigued from...

The Night a Culver City Business Died
Written by Ari L. Noonan
Tuesday, 08 August 2006
The Front Page

As he had promised over the weekend, Les Surfas, one of Culver City’s important business owners, went down with the valor of a Purple Heart warrior. But he went down, which is what galls him. What happened Monday night with the Redevelopment Agency in Council Chambers doubtless will gall Mr. Surfas for the rest of his life. In at least a truncated manner, he lost his business...

Running Toward a Dead End
Written by Ari L. Noonan
Monday, 07 August 2006
The Front Page

Because the 230-year-old U.S. Constitution grants the express permission, the Redevelopment Agency tonight will move within one step of officially seizing four properties owned by businessman Les Surfas even though Mr. Surfas has resisted all three of the City Hall’s offers. The Agency will vote 5 to 0...

Surfas Said No to $4.8 Million
Written by Ari L. Noonan
Thursday, 03 August 2006
The Front Page

One of those dramatic eminent domain-style moments — when City Hall declares in a booming voice, “We want your property” — comes up on Monday evening at 7 in Council Chambers. At a meeting of the Redevelopment Agency...

Save Our Surfas