For 30 years, The Britannia Pub has been a beloved part of downtown Santa Monica. It is more than a bar — it is a gathering place, a neighborhood institution, and a part of Santa Monica’s identity.

Now, The Brit is being forced out and replaced by a Taco Bell Cantina.

This is not simply the result of rising costs or changing market conditions. The Brit is being displaced because their landlord imposed a predatory rent increase designed to push out a longtime local business in favor of a large corporate chain that can pay more.

This is not just about one business. It is about what kind of city Santa Monica wants to be.

Independent businesses are what give Santa Monica its character. They create the places people return to year after year, the places where memories are made, and the sense of identity that makes our city feel different from everywhere else. When beloved local businesses are replaced by chains, Santa Monica loses a piece of what makes it special.

At the same time, storefronts across Santa Monica sit vacant for months or even years because some property owners would rather hold out for the highest possible rent than lease to local businesses at sustainable rates. Empty storefronts hurt residents, reduce foot traffic, weaken neighboring businesses, and make downtown feel lifeless.

We are asking the City of Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., property owners, and community leaders to do more to protect longtime local businesses from displacement and to address the growing problem of vacant storefronts. That means exploring stronger protections for legacy businesses, addressing predatory rent increases, encouraging a balanced retail mix, considering penalties for long-term vacancies, and ensuring that Santa Monica does not become just another collection of chains and empty storefronts.

Please join us in standing up for The Brit, for local businesses, and for the future of Santa Monica.