Photo: FLLewis / Media City G– Former location of Pinup Girl Boutique 3606 West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank July 2, 2018
A cannabis company is moving into Burbank, specifically, taking over a prime location in Magnolia Park’s business district. That’s right, a firm called Quanta has leased the former Pinup Girl Boutique building at 3606 Magnolia Blvd, on the same block as Porto’s, not far from the retro shops, one-of-a-kind boutiques, off-the-wall emporiums, and trendy stores.
The nearby Lakeside Shopping Center on Pass Avenue is getting the miniature burger innovation Burgerim and downtown Burbank will soon have one of the most popular and fastest growing restaurants, Shake Shack. Both eateries are expected to bring in a ton of new desirable customers. Meanwhile, Magnolia Park is getting the cannabis biz. There is something wrong with that.
Photo: FLLewis / Media City G — Pedestrians on West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank July 2, 2018
Magnolia Park is struggling right now to survive. One of its most celebrated assets, walkable traffic on Magnolia Blvd, has slowed down considerably reducing profits and raising fears for small businesses. Also, some landlords reportedly are jacking up rents on their merchant tenants. Pinup Girl was forced to vacate because their rent skyrocketed. The cannabis company apparently had no trouble with the rent estimated to be at around $8,600 a month for 4,300 square feet.
Proposition 64, approved by the voters, took effect in January of 2018. It allows the adult use of recreational marijuana with some restrictions. Cities and counties determine if businesses can sell cannabis. Back in 2016, Burbank City Council voted to ban the commercial cultivation and dispensing of marijuana.
What are Quanta’s intentions? This where it gets real complicated. The cannabis company has told city officials it plans to use the Burbank storefront for offices only. However, word on the Blvd. is that the company is going to flip to retail in a couple of months and begin selling some of its so-called “health, wellness, and anti-aging products.”
Laree Adel is a long time Magnolia Park merchant who owns the antique shop, Best of Times, at 3401 West Magnolia Blvd. Adel has concerns: ” I do not believe that a cannabis dispensary would be appropriate … near the shopping district of Magnolia Park as it is known for being old-fashioned and family friendly.”
Bottom line, the cannabis company is fueling more drama and controversy in Magnolia Park, two things the area really doesn’t need.
