From Dog Town To Ghost Town – A Real Life David V Goliath Story In Venice

Over two dozen local Venice residences came together to protest Snapchats newly opened storefront named Spectacles at 701 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Calif., on Saturday March 11 2017. The Venice locals believe “Snapchats presence is causing an influx of a tech culture that is pushing out local artists and mom and pop shops, causing this vibrant, beautifully weird community into an unwanted Silicon Beach.” (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Local Venice artist and activist Josiah Renn protests Snapchats newly opened storefront named Spectacles holding a sign which reads, “I aint afraid of no ghost” at 701 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Calif., on Saturday March 11 2017. Renn argues that Snapchats presence is the culprit for rising rents and the takeover of local cafes and other properties by Snap. "This is one of the few remaining artist communities left and I will fight to save it from this hostile takeover." (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Venice local, activist and member of The Alliance for the Preservation of Venice Reina Storm protests outside of Snapchats newly opened storefront, Spectacles at 701 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Calif., on March 11, 2017. Since arriving in 2013, Snap has bought homes, shops and an apartment building, converting them into guarded offices. Locals see the company as threatening their colorful, artsy neighborhood on the Venice boardwalk. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Local Venice mascot “Sheldon” the turtle slowly walks around Snapchats newly opened storefront, Spectacles with a sign attached to him which reads “Evict Snapchat” at 701 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Calif., on March 11, 2017. Since arriving in 2013, Snap has bought homes, shops and an apartment building, converting them into guarded offices. Locals see the company as threatening their colorful, artsy neighborhood on the Venice boardwalk. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin

Protestors called The Alliance for the Preservation of Venice asks you to boycott SNAP Inc. and Snapchat in front of Snaps newly opened storefront, Spectacles at 701 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Calif., on Saturday March 11 2017. Their argument is that the Venice boardwalk, an eclectic beach neighborhood unique to LA, has been deadened by Snapchat, which has occupied Venice shops and residences to the detriment of neighbors. Many of the longtime residents are not rich, and have seen their rents double and triple as Snap moved in and expanded. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Venice Resident and street vendor turned activist Colin Rothwell holds up a sign, which illustrates all the buildings that Snapchat has bought and taken up residence in and he is protesting Snapchats newly opened storefront named Spectacles at 701 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Calif., on Saturday March 11 2017. Since arriving in 2013, Snap has bought homes, shops and an apartment building, converting them into guarded offices. Locals see the company as threatening their colorful, artsy neighborhood on the Venice boardwalk. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Venice local, activist and member of The Alliance for the Preservation of Venice Victoria Cross protests outside of Snapchats newly opened storefront, Spectacles at 701 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Calif., on March 11, 2017. Since arriving in 2013, Snap has bought homes, shops and an apartment building, converting them into guarded offices. Locals see the company as threatening their colorful, artsy neighborhood on the Venice boardwalk. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Retired social worker and Venice activist Linda Laisure explains to a young couple her problem with Snapchats presence in Venice and its newly opened storefront, Spectacles at 701 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Calif., on Saturday March 11 2017. (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Local Venice activist Josiah Renn (right) and his girlfriend Izzy Martin (right) protest outside Snapchats newly opened storefront named Spectacles at 701 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, Calif., on Saturday March 11 2017. The Venice locals believe “Snapchats presence is causing an influx of a tech culture that is pushing out local artists and mom and pop shops, causing this vibrant, beautifully weird community into an unwanted Silicon Beach.” (Corsair Photo: Matthew Martin)

Snapchat Takes Over Venice Beach

Evan Spiegel’s multi-billion dollar baby, Snapchat, is upsetting longtime Venice Beach residents once again. For more than half a century, Venice has been home to a unique beach neighborhood fostering artists and artisans who came here because of the cheap rent and diverse culture. But now it’s the new home of the multi-billion dollar Snap Inc.

In support of Venice's small businesses and local artists, on Saturday, March 11, about 30 Venice locals came out to protest in front of Snap’s new store, Spectacles, on the Venice boardwalk.

According to Christina Stroh, a local resident and activist, “the local artists and business owners are not wealthy. They cannot compete with the billion dollar business of Snap Inc."

As a result of Snap Inc. becoming an ever growing presence in the Venice neighborhood, many small businesses and long-time residents have been forced to abandon their homes and sustainable businesses due to rapidly rising rents in the area. Snap Inc.’s Spectacles sells glasses that are used as cameras to snap for the mobile application "Snapchat."

The protestors who were asking people passing by to delete the Snapchat app, not buy the Snap spectacles or the newly offered SNAP Inc. stock forced an early closing of Spectacles. As its doors were bolted and security guards left the storefront, cheers erupted from the small but vocal group. Ironically, the protest was organized on Facebook by The Alliance for the Preservation of Venice.