Blue Plate Osterette Closing in Santa Monica Due to Rising Costs and Crime

Closure of Blue Plate Osterette

• 💔 Blue Plate Osterette, a 16-year fixture on Santa Monica's Ocean Avenue, is set to close permanently in January 2026.
• 😔 The owner, Jennifer Rush, expressed sadness about leaving the community and stated the closure was not her desired outcome.

Reasons for Closure

• ⚖️ The owner attributes the closure to California laws that she believes favor workers over owners.
• 📈 Rising costs are cited as a significant factor contributing to the business's struggles.
• ⚠️ Safety concerns and the prevalence of homelessness in the area are major issues impacting the business.

Impact of Crime and Homelessness

• 🔪 The restaurant experienced incidents, including a homeless person slashing patio screens with a knife and previous break-ins.
• 🚶‍♀️ Tourists and customers are deterred by the visible homelessness and crime, leading to a lack of foot traffic.
• 🍷 The owner noted the irony of being unable to legally consume alcohol in a public park across the street while illicit activities occur there.

Broader Santa Monica Issues

• 🏢 Several businesses in Santa Monica have closed recently, citing similar challenges.
• 🚨 Locals and business owners are calling for increased police presence and a reconsideration of public resource distribution, such as needle exchange programs, to be kept away from the downtown area.
• 🗣️ The owner hopes for environmental changes that would allow her two other businesses in the area to remain open.