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Save the Loft Video

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Tue, 01/18/2011 - 9:53pm — CIAGuy

What does a good neighbor look like?

In the video it says Washington Wine and Beverage made no effort to be a "good neighbor." What exactly would a "good neighbor" look like in this case becuase it doesn't sound as if there's a lot of room for compromise.

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 2:57pm — tezzer1

I may not know what one looks like....

but I can tell you for certain what one is not.   WTO!

  Main principle that did not work?  Trying to make plans about people without wanting to include them. That chapter was left out of How to Make Friends & Influence People.
See what it got them?

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 12:45pm — Karaoke Oly

Nice Video

That's a great video Berd!  I hope the loft sticks around and Fish Tale starts providing beer for the events.  That seems like a win win for everyone.

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 7:33pm — Berd

Nice Video

Thanks to Glowing Heads Productions!

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Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:07am — olyearl

Yes, nice video

It demonstrates very effectively the value of performing arts and arts venues in our community.  However, of all the beautiful people featured in the video, I did not see a single person in a wheelchair.  Hopefully, future venues will be accessible to all.

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 5:05pm — Laurian

I have to come down on the side of jobs

on this one. Olympia has dozens of performance venues many of which are struggling financially. The Loft is a nice space but losing it is not a catastrophe to the performing arts community.

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 7:38pm — Berd

Coming Down

Hey Laurian, Most people probably agree with you that jobs are very important, however, the makers of the video make a good point that the Loft has some unique features amongst the available performance/practice spaces downtown. What do you think?

Do you ever attend events at the Loft? Are you part of the performing arts community? Does something have to be catastrophic in order to be undesirable?

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Wed, 01/19/2011 - 8:53pm — Guglielmo

Unique?

Really?  Nice, definately, but not unique.  I mean, what about that space is not replicable anywhere else in Olympia.

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:21am — olyearl

Yes Berd, most people

Yes Berd, most people "probably agree" that "jobs are very important" because most people depend on a job for day to day survival.  Are you part of that community?

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 2:44pm — tezzer1

Tut, tut said the king

 And he bacame one.  No need to throw stones in this pond.

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 7:12pm — olyearl

Stones?

What are you referring to?

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 8:36am — Laurian

I have attended and event at the Loft

It was a benefit for h2Olympia.  It is a nice space

Although I've closed that book in Olympia, I spent 15 years as a theater tech at just about every theatrical performing arts space in town.

I don't think I said the Loft was undesirable.

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 9:39pm — Sandy M

www "StopFishBrewery" ???

The Big Bad Fish Brewery ... really?

From a Jan 16 Olympian article:

"There are more than 20 empty warehouse spaces in downtown Olympia that could meet the brewery’s storage needs, said Samba Olywa member Juli Kelen."

Couldn't one of those spaces just as easily -- or, even more easily -- become the new Loft?  Why does it automatically follow that Fish must relocate part or all of its operations?  This all seems so unnecessarily adversarial.

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 9:56pm — Sandy M

More "Fish versus Loft"

A Dec 28 Volcano article: Controversy at The Loft in Olympia

Wed, 01/19/2011 - 11:55pm — Guglielmo

Thank you...

"unnecessarily adversarial" was the phrase I was searching for.

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 2:42pm — tezzer1

More warehouse space available

But that doesn't mean it would serve community like the Loft does now.  I know that since the brewery owns the building there would be minimal cost in gutting it for storage. And at the same time, not all available warehouse space is usable for what happens at the Loft. Is it possible for Fish Brewing to find adequate storage somewhere else and keep the Loft open for the community?  I would like to start some convesation along those lines.  What would the art community have to do to make that a possibility? Is the brewery willing to look at options? What timelines are we dealing with here? Is this a potential community meeting waiting for a place to happen? As Picard would say, "Make it so!"

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 12:54am — wilson

I totally understand the love

I totally understand the love for the space. The former Bear's den, the art on the walls, the location all make it desirable. However, what Fish Tale needs is space near their brewery. They need to grow or die just like any business. It would be much easier to find another space for the arts than it would for the brewery to find something that fits their needs. I would like to see some of the art on the walls preserved, I love looking at it. The art reminds me of a different Olympia. More blue collar, happier.

Thu, 01/20/2011 - 5:45pm — Berd

Loft

Other reasons the Loft is worth saving: second story South facing windows let in a lot of sunlight, the loft has a lot of value as a landmark for important Olympia stories, K records for example.

Also, to Wilson, thank you for mentioning the idea of "Grow or die." Is that true?

If so, who or what dictates that a business must boom or bust, "grow or die"?

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Fri, 01/21/2011 - 1:53am — wilson

The biggest reason a business

The biggest reason a business has to grow is the ever rising cost of just doing business. You have three choices when costs grow, raise your consumer price to generate revenue or cut your costs in other ways, efficiencies etc... It is not very desirable to keep jacking the price of products up for the obvious reasons. There is only so much you can get out of streamlining or cutting operational costs. The most desirable way to generate revenue is to grow your company, manufacture more product or provide more of your service. It simply takes money to make money. There are a number of other reasons as well, but that one is the easiest to explain.

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 10:00am — Guglielmo

None of those attributes will change

if the brewery gets the space.  The windows will still face south (albeit enjoyed by a differeent public) and the building will retain it's "landmark" status.

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 11:24am — Thad Curtz

Ummm...

I'd be sad to see the loft converted to the upper half of a warehouse space - because it's a pretty room to be in - though I agree it's not the only space like that in Olympia. I'm not sure if Gug's "enjoyed by a different public" is ironic or not... I certainly don't think having it contemplated from inside by hundreds barrels or beer and an occasional brewery worker on a fork lift is the equivalent of having a couple of hundred people there for, say, the Coop's annual meeting or a local artists' show. (Those were the two most recent things I've been there for.)

I'd also be surprised if the other warehouse spaces that Sandy suggests might be used as meeting spaces are nearly as airy as the loft...

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Best,
Thad

Fri, 01/21/2011 - 3:18pm — Guglielmo

Oh, no. Not at all ironic.

I was simply pointing out the fact that the attributes Berd described are not destroyed by a change in ownership or use. You are correct, the contemplation of space by a few regular brewery workers and that of transient crowds of event attendees are not equivalent. But that doesn’t help settle the question about the overall higher-valued use of the space. It’s a difficult dilemma, because the space is lovely. But it really doesn’t seem like a “controversy” worth cultivating.
Fri, 01/21/2011 - 2:52pm — tezzer1

WANTED: Chill time

 A rational, reasonable conversation to see if there is some way to accomplish what all sides want. Short of that, how can we end up with yet another community decision
that doesn't start another round of name calling or hurt feelings. I had my fill with the coop / boycott issue.  As I say in my tagline, "another way is possible." I'm always willing to pursue something until I get to a definite 'no'.  I don't know if we're there yet.

Sat, 01/22/2011 - 10:04am — Laurian

When the supporters of The Loft

can make the space as financially viable as additional warehouse space then they will prevail.

Sat, 01/22/2011 - 2:48pm — Berd

re: rising costs

Warning: what follows is symptomatic of free thought:

Rising Costs of Doing Business...

It just doesn't make sense (to me.) It seems to me
that the only reason that costs would rise
would be if some person or group of people are taking at the expense of others.

So then, if that's the case (which I believe it is!)
wouldn't would make more sense to have a steady state economy.

The world is finite. There are a limited amount of resources available. The Earth, the Air, the Water can become polluted.

To have an economy that requires incessant growth is to have an economy that is akin to a cancerous tumor on the face of the Earth—a tumor that is sucking the life-force and the joy out of what could be and ought to be a pleasant experience in life.

Society doesn't need to be a place that is cold, isolating, exclusive. Just as we currently have a socio-economic system that is the source of hardship and pain for many people—we could choose to have something different. Just as we currently have pain and distress, harmful (even predatory) competition and the resultant "externalies" (what a term!)— we could alternately have a system that encourages respect, and MUTUAL HEALTH—mutual well-being...

Does life have to be filled with so much pain and misery? Or is it possible that much of the suffering that we experience is unnecessary, and can actually be done away with, by way of policies that are driven toward respect of people, policies that idealize people as worthy dignified beings.

After all, aren't all people worthy of being treated well?

It's pretty frustrating to see the destruction in the world. But at the same time, it is encouraging to know that another way is possible, another world is possible; peace is possible. We can achieve peace. But we can't do it by spending on war, or re-inforcing socially exclusive structures.

We can achieve peace. And part of that is making sure that we don't fall for the seductive influence of money. Growth for the sake of growth? Growth just to increase profits? That sounds like slavery. That sounds like a malignant tumor. Growth should serve common welfare, common needs, common interests. It should be mutually beneficial. Not just meant to serve an investor class, or owner class.

The loft is more important as a cultural institution, than as a warehouse for kegs of beer. I hope this community DOES NOT let money be the arbiter in this situation. Money should be a tool, a means, and never act as an end. Ought money act as an arbiter of social outcomes? Ought money dictate the planning and use of resources?

We can ensure that money is used as a tool for mutual benefit, to serve life, rather than to suit an exclusive set of financial interests.

Real harmony is possible, real happiness, mutual happiness for all. Peace is possible. We can achieve it.

Save the loft.

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Sat, 01/22/2011 - 11:11pm — olyearl

Accessibility

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this space inaccessible to people who cannot use the stairs?  Do you have anything at all to say about that?

Sun, 01/23/2011 - 1:05am — Laurian

Oh Berd

Harmony is a decent job with a local employer, not a private space rented to those who can afford to party.

Sun, 01/23/2011 - 6:11am — wilson

You asked, I answered. Yes,

You asked, I answered. Yes, the cost of doing business goes up, sometimes down depending on labor and material. Maybe one day we may all join in a circle and give each other what we need without cost to anyone. As soon as the circle breaks we can jump on our unicorns and ride out to a babbling brook of Ginger Ale and sip from it's sweet current.

Sun, 01/23/2011 - 10:57am — Berd

Hugs

When are you going to take me up on that offer to meet for coffee, Mr. W.? I want to give you a hug, to show my appreciation for your creativeness. Unicorns. I love it! : )

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Sun, 01/23/2011 - 3:08pm — Guglielmo

Let's come back down to earth for a second

A small, local employer seeks to improve it's competitiveness through improved economies of scale associated with a modest increase in it's capacity.   At stake is a nice performance and meeting place for which there are ample substitutes downtown.  This isn't Ford's Thearter for Pete's sake.

Sun, 01/23/2011 - 3:51pm — Laurian

Ford's Theater collapsed. Twice.

Don't think that is a great model.

That said, I am in complete agreement, my AEP brother.

Party at your house!

Mon, 01/24/2011 - 1:34pm — Guglielmo

Interesting piece on The Loft

by Matt Green over at OP&L.

Mon, 01/24/2011 - 3:54pm — CIAGuy

one from Olympia Historical Society

Bathing Suits, Beat, and Brew.

Think about it...this place has served several functions over the years. I'm sure folks were upset at each of the previous transition points. But nothing lasts forever.

 

Anybody know who spruced up the building last year with the Olympia Knitting Mills sign?

 

Fri, 02/18/2011 - 5:12pm — Giraffe

Fish Tale does not own the Loft

In fact, the owner is concerned about the building's future post-Fish. Fish Tale projects to outgrow the building in five years. They are tearing out the floor of an Olympia landmark so they can create/store more beer for five years. Would it not create jobs if they moved to a larger warehouse, perhaps one they could use for 10 or 20 years? I'm pretty sure it would.