Crystal Cove is dead AKA The Irvine Co. Sucks!

[Da Hapa]

It's been rumored for a while but now according to this press release, the Daily Pilot and the OC Register, it's become a reality.

The Irvine Company has decided that the weekly gathering of exotics, customs, vintage, and pre-production cars has become too much hassle for them. As such, Oct. 14th will be the final hurrah for Crystal Cove.

I don't see how they can stop groups of owners who drive their cars to the center and buy lunch at Pacific Whey but I guess they're going to try.

Edit - My work computer won't allow the pop up window that is necessary to attach the press release. So here's a link to the thread on FChat detailing this nonsense.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123517

 

[FuryNSX]

It's been rumored for a while but now according to this press release, the Daily Pilot and the OC Register, it's become a reality.

The Irvine Company has decided that the weekly gathering of exotics, customs, vintage, and pre-production cars has become too much hassle for them. As such, Oct. 14th will be the final hurrah for Crystal Cove.

I don't see how they can stop groups of owners who drive their cars to the center and buy lunch at Pacific Whey but I guess they're going to try.

Edit - My work computer won't allow the pop up window that is necessary to attach the press release. So here's a link to the thread on FChat detailing this nonsense.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123517

The link for the notice saved as a .PDF file requires an F-Chat login to open, so I was unable to read it. But from the rest of the thread, it sounds like other options are not even available, so the situation really does suck. Sorry to hear that it has lead to that.

BTW, I like this thread title better than the similar thread in Off Topic.

 

[Da Hapa]

The link for the notice saved as a .PDF file requires an F-Chat login to open, so I was unable to read it. But from the rest of the thread, it sounds like other options are not even available, so the situation really does suck. Sorry to hear that it has lead to that.

BTW, I like this thread title better than the similar thread in Off Topic.

I'll post the PDF file when I get home since my stupid work computer is precluding me from doing so.

I liked this title better too but I thought I'd be a little more PC in the broader focused Off Topic forum.:biggrin:

 

[BD]

Irvine company runs the city in a dictatorial management style. I'm in the tobacco business, they don't allow cigar lounge in that city. It's a utopia of their making!!!

 

[ANYTIME]

The link for the notice saved as a .PDF file requires an F-Chat login to open, so I was unable to read it. But from the rest of the thread, it sounds like other options are not even available, so the situation really does suck. Sorry to hear that it has lead to that.

BTW, I like this thread title better than the similar thread in Off Topic.

You can use bugmenot.com passwords and log to view it here> click me for passwords :biggrin: And many, many other sites.........

 

[tbNSX]

Well, that does suck... I think I might try to go this next weekend before it finally ends.

Here is the PDF bitmap converted to text...

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Bill Rams
The Irvine Company
(949) 720-267s
WEEKLY CAR GATHERING OUTGROWS
NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING CENTER
Search Is On For New Event Venue


NEWPORT BEACH, CA (October 2, 2006) -.- The search is on for potential new sites for an early momning Saturday car show that has outgrown a community shopping center parking lot at Crystal Cove Promenade.
The show began in 2003 with a few dozen enthusiasts showing off their antique and exotic automobiles early Saturday mornings. It has evolved into a weekly gathering that reyularly attracts more than 200 specialty vehicles, 600 observers and commercial enterprises promoting their businesses.
“For more than thrce years, we've tried our best to accommodate this spontaneous and informal car show,. said Susan Jennrich, general manager of Crystal Cove Promenade. “It has grown in size and complexity into an enthusiastic weekly event that is no longer appropriate for a shopping center parking lot near a residential area.

The show has no single leader or sponsor, but in discussions last week several participants were told the shopping center’s parking lot no longer will be available for the car show after October 14. Flyers to that effect will be distributed to participants at the next two events.

Jennrich said the car shows have reached a size and scope that they should be subject to a municipal special events permit that would require insurance and trash removal, among other things, and would regulate issues such as hours of operation and noise. Shopping center events held throughout the year are subject to permits issued by the city. Several car enthusiasts who want to keep the show growing have been in discussions to find a more appropriate venue in Newport Beach that can handle its growing popularity. “We hope they find a location equipped to handle the significant number of
participants, spectators and businesses involved,. Jennrich said.

 

[ediddynsx]

It would be nice to have a venue like Crystal Cove at a later time in the day. Too bad there isnt like a 1pm-4pm kind of meet on Sat. Have lunch and then go look at nice cars.

 

[Daedalus]

That was the only reason I've ever been within maybe 50 miles of the spot. Bummer. I'll try to make it down there once again within the next couple weeks and hopefully meet more members.

 

[WealthBuildR]

Its disappointing to hear such bad news. I think that the Crystal Cove gathering represented the culture of orange county, and it was quite like a disneyland for a crowd of all ages. It was an event not a gathering. You would plan for it like you would a trip to Disneyland, Seaworld, or a massage parlor in tijuana:biggrin: Seriously, I remember seeing many tourists, similar to the ones you see at Disneyland or Universal Studios excitedly taking pictures with cars that they would have never seen anywhere else. Its memorable waking up at the crack of dawn, or in my case, pulling an all nighter and skipping breakfast, for a 5:30am drive down PCH with views of the ocean, HID's shining brightly and sound of the 3.0 ltr V6 vtec at 8k hitting my ears. Talk about a great way to start a saturday morning. Ending this gathering takes away many reasons for visitors to visit south orange county. Only solution..Find a new location. Let's have a large NSX gathering every saturday morning, maybe at another location close to the beach like huntington or Seal Beach, or even South Coast Plaza or Tustin Market Place and let's spread the word to other fellow exotic/classic car owners. Remember...If you build it, they will come. Just my .02 yen.

 

[Joel]

some of the local colleges have HUGE parking lots that would be ideal to hold such a large event.

 

[DaveG]

I too will miss the idea of CC, but frankly, it has become a zoo. What started out as a bunch of car guys getting together to shoot the shit in an unstructured environment simply became too popular. When the tourists and their camers and their kids and then the bikes and the merchants started to show up, and then rules, rules and more rules, the entire point was lost. I'm no fan of the Irvine Company, but I can't blame them for shutting it down.

As many here and on F-Chat have pointed out, another venue will rise to replace CC - BUT, public internet forums are probably not the best place to spread the word. Property owners (whether schools, shopping centers, or churches) who don't want cars congregating on ther property (oh, the horror!) will simply alert the police in advance and it will never happen. Better to pick a spot and alert each other via PM or some other less public means and just do it. No doubt word will spread - just like CC was assembled in the first place.

DaveG