Thank you to everyone who signed and shared this petition! Thanks to YOU, we were able to show Raising Cane's how much NORMS is loved, and help to STOP Raising Cane's from taking over the building.
According to an article on NBCLA's website, Raising Cane's stated they “have heard the community’s concerns” and “are in discussions with Norm’s about the future of the site.”
The restaurant group that owns Raising Cane's still owns the property, so it is still unclear what the next steps will be, so this fight may not be over. According to the same article on NBCLA's website, "Raising Cane’s has not said how it will move forward with that property, or if it will continue to lease it to Norms."
However, thanks to Ailson Martino (Vintage LA), more information about this situation has come to light. Here’s a direct quote from her about the situation via her Facebook page “Vintage LA”:
“Raising Cane’s was supposed to give a presentation this morning [12/5/2024] to the Heritage commission. They had every intention of showing their plans on how they were going to transform NORMS into a Raising Cane’s, but it came to my attention that they were using ED RUSCHA’s artwork in their presentation. That is absolutely disgraceful since he did not give them permission to do so. I took it upon myself to call his office, and I think their lawyers were right on it. I believe that was the main reason they didn’t go forward with the presentation today, although they’re trying to spin it as if they listened to the community and now are going to reconsider their plan which they absolutely should!!! Nothing like a good old “cease & desist”. And rightfully so. They tampered with a masterpiece. They changed the original colors, arrogantly slapped their presentation all over his art on almost every page, they even added their fast food logo on the lower right hand side of this protected artwork by a legendary artist. Raising Cane’s has no shame for even thinking they could get away with that. I personally believe they would’ve gone through with that meeting yesterday if this hadn’t been discovered and dealt with. Then they had to come up with some kind of reason for canceling the meeting so I guess they’re spinning it as if they’re, “listening to the community”, but I think they were shut down for using the artwork for their own personal selfishness. They didn’t realize they picked THE ABSOLUTE WRONG image to tamper with…a battle won for the moment. Every step counts in this fight.”
BUT WE SAVED NORMS FOR NOW! Thanks again to everyone who showed their love for NORMS and signed this petition. This fight may not be over, but we at least just won the first battle. I will be back with this petition if something else happens.
Special thanks to Alison Martino (Vintage LA) for using your platform to inform and spread the word about NORMS.