Aug 25, 2009
So, who’s smart idea was it to get Guilty Customs into SoCal with a 2nd location? And clear across the USA at that?! Oh, i know, some idiot…some stupid short sighted, brain matter missing duff-ass who thought that it would be “easy”, “no problem”. Oh wait, that would be me! Geeze! Ok, lets be honest here. Circumstance 5 months ago were such that it “appeared” on the surface, to be fairly easy to open a second “west coast” location. One that would focus on bikes other than the V-Twins we build in Florida. Builds that we could send back to Florida to sell (if needed) and/or would be adept to the southern california lifestyle….(minimal no non-sense Triumphs, BSA’s, Honda’s, Yamaha’s). Those bikes you see (at least in SoCal) splitting lanes all the time and where guys/gals are riding in groups and enjoying life! (stuff we just couldn’t seem to do over in Florida for some reason). SIDE NOTE: Ok, it’s mainly because the towns in FLA leave a lot to be desired in regards to having “cruisin” areas that don’t include moving road hazards and pot holes, roads that only go in straight lines, blue hairs and foreigners that drive on the wrong side of the road, AND (you can’t forget) the constant oppressive weather. So, i guess the “Cool” factor is just higher in California. Well, looks can be deceiving buddy! It’s evident that the honeymoon is over and the “appeal” has been short lived once we actually got our feet here on the west coast, and reality was able to “soak in”!
Anyway, i’m getting off track. So, first off, have you ever looked at the price of real estate in SoCal? Granted, we’d heard about the homes (and we’re still reeling from that experience). But we’re blown away on the costs for commercial space! We’re not talking mega-estate size properties here either. We’re talking something small and usable that is easy to get to. Where you don’t have to put an armed guard outside the door and we wouldn’t have United or Delta landing on our building! From what we’re finding, monthly rent for a small shop is almost the price of a small private plane or having open heart surgery! And you can’t forget the very inviting incentives the state of California gives businesses to move here either! Oh, yeah, you can’t forget that 8.5% sales tax they charge you, or the emission requirements and in some places the noise level limits too. Or the business licenses and other “incentives” to live here. Oh, wait, those aren’t really incentives to move INTO California, they are incentives to move OUT of the state! (NOTE: Kiwi, you were right in moving to SD dude!) Anyway, enough of our ranting. We’ve got some politicians to bribe, zoning laws to change, newspapers to complain to and/or an illegal location to construct so we can get our equipment into and some builds up and running. Later!
(ps, and “no” that is not us riding that cool little kawasaki 400 either)! So don’t ask!
