OpEd: BlockParty turns 15.

It’s Atlantis Cruise weekend and the boat is set to sail on Sunday morning. The tempo starts percolating with excited passengers who begin to shop weeks or months out. The party themes change with each trip that embark from the port of Long Beach.   The gay cruisers swarm the BlockParty twice a year.   70s disco is a standard theme.   Sparkles and glitter are all year round. Camo is a hot commodity from swim to socks.  White Party isn’t only in Palm Springs anymore.  Neon themes, underwear parties , and fetish gear are trends that create the cycle and energy of the gay apparel within the BlockParty.

The miracle of BlockParty is the staff. I wrote about them here in a 14th-anniversary tribute: https://wehoonline.com/2023/11/18/oped-ode-blockparty/, and nothing has changed since this article was written. My job is to lift my employees on their journey of life and help them grow. I’m glad to say 15 years with no unemployment claims, no labor board claims, no workers’ compensation claims, no lawsuits, and no settlements — that’s a record that can’t be matched.

Working at BlockParty is not for the faint of heart. I explain in the interview that it’s a ‘hostile environment’  The homeless, the drunks, the loud queens who can be so disrespectful — it’s not easy being a catch-all for each and every person who chooses to walk in our open doors. But we have a role, and everybody knows it from the get-go. “Your job is to meet and greet the guests and tourists who live and visit West Hollywood and to celebrate the pride of the city.”

The rhythm of BlockParty moves with the beat of WeHo.   The Atlantic Cruise will kickoff spring in February and into Mardi Gras, Pride starts early in these parts and the flow rotates to summer gear and into Folsum.   Soon it will be Halloween, it is our job to host everything we can to fill every customers needs.    .

The BlockParty is not just a store.   Our original sign has faded behind the register but reads, BlockParty WeHo, “A community store”.   And 15 years later, I still remember the two guys who stood in front of the shop the day before opening and said ‘they will be gone in six months.’  But we made it, and for so many BlockParty is an LGBTQ “Cheers”, where everybody knows your name.   

Our vendor-driven, fashion-focused, gym-oriented, party-themed, scantily clad, and anything with a rainbow product mix enchants the fashion forward as well as the party animals. Our ‘WeHo Tee’ programs drive the WeHo brand home 365 days a year.  Behind the hot pink pillars and old purple floors lies a history of activism and spirit that brought the gay life movement from the closet to the world. The ghosts and history date back to the early 1900s within our historically preserved location.

Our eclectic customer base includes all of you and the curious, too. Our doors open at 10 a.m. every day. Tourists look around in amazement “we wish we had one of these in our hometown’.  The young, the old, and every creed under the rainbow find their acceptance in West Hollywood at a shop that is still a bit wacky and lacks the pretentiousness that adorns most that surround us.

The key to any shop is always the product and the product mix. Underneath the colorful walls and the supportive long term team members are top-notch gay brands from all over the world. Our unique location and vendor partnerships have allowed us to corner the market on many international brands that serve the gay community, including Addicted, made in Barcelona; Aussie Bum, made in Australia; Andrew Christian, a hometown brand,   Our vendors look to BlockParty to service WeHo, greater Los Angeles, or even the Western region. In many cases, BlockParty has an exclusive right to sell those products.   And behind the smiles are price points that promise to match or beat anybody. Our ‘won’t be undersold’ philosophy drives the trust that serves repeat customers who often call us their favorite shop. 

In the good old days, we had two stores in one. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. we would do x dollars, and from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., we would match the day. Those times have changed. The street has taken a hit.  The day traffic has dried up, and nights end early.   We still stay open late because the guys need their hours.  But today, we hang on for love of city.  Half the days are below break-even. The store was placed for sale earlier this year. We had an offer the first day, but I turned it down.  We had others, but changed my mind. Don’t listen to the rumors, we are here to stay.

The city has changed. The homeless disrupt our business and threaten the employees. The rent isn’t too high, the risk is too high.   It’s hard to be a business owner.  I cannot allow any of my employees to get hurt on my watch.  The city sold out the community-serving businesses by issuing liquor license after liquor license. Stores became restaurants, which became bars that only open in the evening. They call it progress. I call it a crime.   The change and policies s brought more homeless, made the city less safe and led to surcharges on receipts, in a city many of us don’t recognize anymore.

In January we are looking to make great changes to our layout and more, – its that time to re-invent ourselves and the city we live in.  I’d like to thank you.. and you and you and you..  who have shopped the store, lent a helping hand, or appreciated our efforts.   Many of you have touched my heart with more love that I have ever felt these past few weeks..   This is a city worth fighting for.   And I’m not giving up.   

On Tuesday 10/22 we will cut the cake on 15 years at 6pm.   Your welcome to join.  If you got that 50% off coupon in the mail its for Weho residents only.   Come share a toast and meet the Mayor too.  Thank you West Hollywood.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.