In West Hollywood, data isn’t just a collection of numbers—it’s the key to making decisions that shape our community’s future. Unfortunately, recent discussions about the state of our local businesses reveal a troubling disconnect between official narratives and reality.
While some officials have downplayed the impact of business closures, citing the pandemic as an anomaly and forecasting a rebound, the facts tell a different story. Data obtained from the City shows that the number of new businesses has been significantly inflated. In reality, 2023 saw a steep decline in new business applications, down 43.79%, with further drops expected in 2024.
What’s more alarming is that this data wasn’t easily accessible. It required a public records request to uncover it. Transparency in our city should be automatic, not something we have to fight for. Our businesses deserve honest, accurate information so that they, along with our community leaders, can make informed decisions about the future.
Businesses in West Hollywood aren’t just economic drivers; they are integral to the fabric of our city. When they struggle, the entire community feels the strain. As someone deeply invested in the well-being of our city, I’m committed to advocating for a more transparent and supportive environment for every business here.
I am meeting with business leaders across the city to listen to their challenges and work together on solutions that ensure our collective prosperity. West Hollywood deserves leadership that values truth, transparency, and decisive action.
Here is a detailed analysis of the city’s data. But beyond the numbers, it’s time to take action. The future of West Hollywood depends on it.
Furthermore the city’s “Info-map” has been down for months so you can no longer tell what new development projects are in the pipeline. I’ve reached out several times and have got no response.
https://infomap.weho.org/?&redirectToSessionStoreKey=1690306333867?&redirectToSessionStoreKey=1724687092842#!/dashboard?places=&restrictedPlaces=&categories=5:149%3D1-2%7C4:176%3D1-2%26183%3D1-2%26185%3D1-2&start_date=2022-07-25&end_date=2023-07-25&lat=34.089&lng=-118.36599999999999&zoom=14&shapeIds=&shapeGroupId=thqw-mi3d&mapType=Map&listViewTab=overview&overlayLayers=WeHo_West,BH%20Water%20Boundary,City%20Boundary&search_field=&search_value=&autoUpdate=false&heatFilters=&statusFilter=&choroplethField=count&searchType=&include_restricted_places=false
More and more businesses are either shuttering in Weho or relocating their business.
A thriving business district makes WeHo more walkable and safe. There are a lot of factors at work but we should not sugar coat the situation.
The city is run my dems who can’t tell the truth to save their lives
Based on the authors own analysis, new business openings from 2018 to 2023 was nearly 2x that of business closure. Any city in the country would sign up for that ratio and the raw numbers of new businesses.
This is not about Democrats or Republicans, this has to do with lairs, posturers and fat cats hired by the city. This is about maintaining their own jobs. This is about no one working. This is about a huge mess that has been festering because council members play favorites and take money from Unite Here and sell their council votes to the highest bidder.
Welcome to West Hollywood, where reports and numbers can be easily faked.
Not surprising at all.
CLOWN CITY
Sucks.
Wow, a city council candidate the digs, does the work and lets the numbers speak for themselves. No froth, no big reveal, no drum roll of how Rachel Schmeidler discovered the facts. Just the facts. Thank you, ma’am. Thank you very much for doing the work. Grateful to see the real truth we’ve all known to be true, but has been continually denied and lied about by our elected officials.
What is the City trying to hide by exaggerating or ignoring the facts? WeHo is not doing well and the business closings and lack of new applications proves it. So, the City wants us to believe everything is OK, just keep voting us in power and don’t look at, or try to find, the facts. LA,LALA,LA LA…
Thank you for looking into this, Rachel. It’s definitely concerning on many levels. I’m interested to hear your thoughts on how you plan to improve the business climate in West Hollywood.
Of course they did. We all see the empty store fronts. We all know the direction the city is going in is the wrong one. We all know it’s time for change. NO on Erickson. NO on Hang. No on Wright! We don’t want people that are just using our city as a steppingstone to further their political career! We don’t want candidates that are beholden to unite here! We want candidates that actually care about this city!
Your data shows a very cyclical pattern, a good year then a down year versus the good year. These are also %’s of growth, not negative business openings. What are you basing your comment on 2024 being down? All data supports a string 2024 increase including the cyclical pattern.