For years, Fletcher Jones Motorcars has had the corner of “Jamboree and the 73” to itself, an island of unrivaled auto luxury.
Now comes Orange-based David Wilson Automotive Group with plans for a swanky eight-acre Lexus dealership, walking distance from Fletcher. Wilson, who’s flagship dealership is Toyota of Orange, aims to “out luxury” Fletcher.
Fletcher Jones welcomes the competition, according to Garth Blumenthal, the dealership’s general manager. But Fletcher, known for its putting green and cappuccino bar, won’t be outdone, he said.
“With all due respect to Lexus and the owners, I don’t believe that’s a reality,” Blumenthal said.
Fletcher sells 8,000 cars a year, according to Blumenthal.
“We spent 13 years getting to this point,” he said.
By the time the Lexus dealership is built and opens in 2006, Fletcher Jones will be selling even more cars, Blumenthal predicted.
The proposed Lexus dealership is set to resemble the Montage Resort & Spa in Laguna Beach.
Plans call for a 40,000-square-foot showroom, a 75,000-square-foot service shop and a four-story parking structure. Some of the amenities to rival Fletcher Jones: a wine cellar, coffee bar, outdoor barbecue and shoeshine stand.
How does Lexus stand up against Mercedes in Orange County?
The nod goes to Mercedes, though Lexus is growing fast. This year, 9,396 Mercedes are projected to be sold here, versus 8,274 Lexus vehicles.
But through October, local sales of Mercedes were up just 0.7% from a year earlier, versus a 22% gain for Lexus.
Mercedes faces competition on another front: BMW. The upscale German brand is right behind Lexus in percentage growth, selling 20% more cars here through October than a year earlier.
This is the only region where BMW doesn’t outsell Mercedes, said Herbie Weston, a sales manager for Crevier BMW in Santa Ana.
BMW has to fight harder in OC because the top Mercedes dealers in the nation are based here, he said. Along with Fletcher, the county is home to Mercedes-Benz of Laguna Niguel and House of Imports in Buena Park.
Bristol Farms Expansion
Albertson’s Inc. may add about 10 upscale Bristol Farms grocery stores this year, including some in OC, according to a report in our sister paper the Los Angeles Business Journal.
Bristol Farms, which Boise, Idaho-based Albertson’s bought in September, has two stores in OC, along with those in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
An Albertson’s spokeswoman declined to comment on the company’s plans for Bristol Farms. A local Bristol Farms manager said he’s heard that there could be more of the stores in OC late this year.
Fur Flying at Wet Seal
Slumping sales, potential bankruptcy and now this: PETA2, the youth wing of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is protesting Foothill Ranch-based Wet Seal Inc.
The issue: Wet Seal’s sale of jackets and wraps with rabbit fur. On PETA’s “international day of action” on Dec. 18, PETA2 passed out leaflets in front of Wet Seal stores protesting the products.
The group moved on to Wet Seal after taking on its stronger retail rival, Los Angeles-based Forever 21 Inc.
As a result of protests, Forever 21 removed fur from its stores and said it only would sell fake fur.
“Forever 21’s commitment not to contribute in the future to cruelty to animals used and abused in the fur industry is the latest victory for animals in the fashion world,” Forever 21 Chief Executive Don Chang posted on PETA’s Web site.
It’s even hip to support PETA. Merchandise from the group has made its way into stores of Industry-based Hot Topic Inc., which sells PETA buttons, stickers and patches.
But being politically correct could be the last thing on the minds of executives at Wet Seal. Their immediate task is more pressing,staying in business.
Wet Seal’s latest chief executive, Joel Waller, is former chairman of a company that makes handbags out of cow hides, Minnesota’s Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc.
Bella Terra, Continued
New to the mall mix later this year: the newly revamped Bella Terra in Huntington Beach.
Formerly Huntington Beach Mall, the shopping center is 85% full, according to Milt Swimmer, partner for J.H. Snyder Co.
Snyder still is talking with Sears, Roebuck and Co. to buy the old Montgomery Wards building at the center. City officials see that store as part of the overall project, Swimmer said, and want the store redeveloped by Snyder.
Swimmer said he’s confident that Snyder will be able to strike a deal. Among the stores now open at Bella Terra are Mervyn’s, Burlington Coat Factory, Kohl’s, Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, Circuit City and Staples.
