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" ' -.r • _� � _ _ � I .. ., - - �_ '�`�-3 �_�a_ irti"' � z `. .a. .. ��`� _ ` :� � '� .. a,•• �•• .... � .. '� ,.,.� .. � r .. . �.....r. a^ ' 'a_r a �,�. � -.. _ .a ,�� .. ,mow j. _ _ _ ... - • __ _ .r. r �i• '�`�-3 �_�a_ irti"' � z `. .a. .. ��`� _ ` :� � '� Received After Agenda Printed July 10, 2018 Non -Agenda Item From: Rieff, Kim Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 7:17 AM To: Mulvey, Jennifer Subject: FW: Newport Beach gondolas Attachments: Historic Newport Gondola Service Seeks New Home.pdf, Gondola Adventures Company Profile.pdf, Lucia press release.pdf From: Elisa M Mohr <elisa@gondola. co m> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2018 10:16 PM To: Dept - City Council <CityCouncil@newportbeachca.gov> Subject: Newport Beach gondolas Dear Newport Beach City Council Member: Will the canals of Newport Beach lose their gondolas soon? We need some help from local landowners, residents, and/or the City Council to make sure that doesn't happen! Help us preserve this romantic Newport Beach small business. Gondolas have operated in Newport Harbor since the early 1900s, and at one time there were 6 different gondola companies here. By the early 2000s, the companies had been whittled down to two — Gondola Company of Newport and Gondola Adventures. In 2016, faced with losing dock and office space in Lido Marina Village, Gondola Company of Newport's owners sold their business to Gondola Adventures. This consolidated all gondola operations in Newport Harbor under one company (operating out of two locations). In early 2017, with the remodel of Lido Marina Village, Gondola Company of Newport office and dock space were no longer available, and all of the gondolas moved to 3101 West Coast Highway, where Gondola Adventures has been operating for 25 years. In November 2018, the 3101 W Coast Hwy building will be undergoing a complete remodel and all businesses and boats have to move. We have been attempting to find docks and office space nearby so we can continue to operate in roughly the same area, but we seem to be striking out. Consequently, we are considering completely different regions of Newport Harbor, most of which would take us far from being within rowing distance of where we are now. Relocating anywhere other than the far northwest corner of the harbor (near the Newport Blvd. bridge) will mean that gondolas will no longer cruise the canals surrounding Newport Island — at least temporarily, and perhaps permanently. We feel these canals provide the perfect atmosphere for quiet, romantic gondola cruises, and we'd like to think the residents in the area appreciate their presence. We love our waterway and hate the thought of settling for an alternate location or possibly relocating some or all of the gondolas to our Dallas, Texas location. I'm attaching some information about our company background and our plight, along with a press release from 2010 about our acquisition of the historic Curci gondola. We've also created a short video for you to see what it is we do — would you please take just 90 seconds and watch it in advance of Tuesday's City Council meeting? We have history on our side and now we need you on our side. My husband and I will be speaking during the public comments at the City Council meeting and look forward to seeing you. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Sincerely, Visa J�4.J�Iohr Vice President elisaggondola.com Gondola Cruises -- Romantic & Relaxing Newport Beach, CA and Dallas, TX NM Gondola Adventures', Inc. 3101 West Coast Highway, Suite 110 Newport Beach, CA 92663 949-646-2067 x801 Phone 949-642-4760 Fax Gondola Adventures(s), Inc. GONDOLA COMPANY 1%j1d OF�NEWPORT wv«v.gondola.com Historic Newport Gondola Service Seeks New Home Venetian gondolas first arrived in Newport Harbor in 1906 with John Scarpa, who rowed his gondola from Venice Beach, California in search of a new home. The first lighted boat parade in history began with John Scarpa's Newport Beach gondola in 1907, and the iconic Christmas Parade of Lights, again led by a gondola, started in 1908. In the 1990s, there were seven gondola companies operating in Newport Beach at one time and, since 1906, Newport Harbor has never been without a gondola gracing her waters. Gondola Adventures, Inc. started operating gondolas in 1993, as an offshoot of the yacht charter company Adventures at Sea, located at Mariner's Mile Professional Building at 3101 West Coast Highway. The president of the company, Greg Mohr, proposed to his wife on a gondola and fell in love with the boats. He is now the President of the Gondola Society of America and the foremost authority on gondolas in the English-speaking world. He is renowned with Venice gondoliers and anyone who works in the gondola industry throughout the world. He operates a gondola -centric blog at wnv.GondolaGreg com. In 2004, Greg and his wife Elisa sold Adventures at Sea Yacht Charters, keeping only the gondola operation. Since that time, the operation has grown to encompass several Venetian -built boats, including the famous Curci-family gondola, "Lucia." In 2016, there were only two remaining gondola operations in Newport Beach: Gondola Adventures and Gondola Company of Newport. Gondola Company of Newport had operated in Lido Marina Village for decades, but with the changes in ownership and the restructuring of the docks in the Village, Gondola Company of Newport faced losing office and dock space and decided to sell to Gondola Adventures. While continuing to operate as two separate companies, Gondola Adventures and Gondola Company of Newport are actually under one corporation, with shared docks and office space at 3101 West Coast Highway and a total of 14 gondolas. Greg and his gondola have been featured on the cover of the American Airlines in-flight magazine, in the Alaska Airlines in-flight magazine, in newspapers, movies, television commercials, television news stories, and print ads. In 2015, Gondola Adventures hosted the fourth annual US Gondola Nationals (a racing contest for gondoliers throughout the United States) at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, and the company has plans to host the event again in 2019. Gondola Adventures donates back to the community via gift certificates for fundraising events and promotional cruises for media through Visit Newport Beach. Residents along the canals surrounding Newport Island enjoy seeing gondolas pass by, hearing gondoliers sing to their customers, and witnessing happy passengers celebrate special occasions. Realtors have used the presence of gondolas as a selling -point for homes in the canals and on Lido Island. Marriage counselors have sent couples "on assignment" to take a romantic gondola cruise. We have even had local residents deliver gifts to our gondoliers to thank them for their presence in the harbor. Gondolas are a fixture in Newport Beach. They provide a safe, upscale, unique atmosphere for couples and families to experience the charming canals at the west end of the harbor. Guests do not drive the gondolas themselves, but rather are hosted by a charming gondolier; all boats are either human -powered or have silent electric motors. This is not a "party boat" atmosphere, but rather a "special occasion" experience. Guests celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, special date nights, honeymoons, wedding escapes off charter yachts, and couples can even get married on the gondolas. Proposals are common, and all of our guests take home with them a gondola memory to last a lifetime. Gondola clients come to Newport Beach from all over Southern California and beyond, supporting local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. It is not uncommon for a customer to plan an entire weekend getaway around taking a gondola cruise. Gondola Adventures uses local providers for food service (dinner cruises, dessert cruises, appetizer cruises), flowers, chocolates, and other consumables. Gondola Adventures employs staff and gondoliers of all ages (teens to senior citizens), often reaching out to the community to find fine young men and women looking for their first job or summer employment. Many former employees return to us for periodic stints as a gondolier alumnus, telling is it was the best job they ever had. Due to impending construction at 3101 West Coast Highway, Gondola Adventures and Gondola Company of Newport are seeking dock and office space. A 25 -year tenant of Mariner's Mile Professional Building, the company has a stellar reputation as a conscientious occupant with low -impact clientele. Because cruises take place mainly on evening and weekends, in addition to the minimal foot traffic during regular office hours, our gondoliers and staff are often "eyes and ears" for after -hour activity in the location. The gondola culture in Newport Beach is historic and strong and brings a unique flavor to the area. Gondola Adventures hopes to continue this century -long legacy but needs the help of a local property owner to do so. Gondola AdvcnturesO,, Inc. fte GONDOLA COMPANY OF,NEWPORT*4 Newport Beach Gondola History • Boat parade started with a gondola • The harbor has not been without a gondola since John Scarpa arrived in the early 1900s • Birthplace of the electric gondola (1980s) • At one time, Newport Beach had 6 competing gondola operations • All gondolas in Newport are now owned and operated by Gondola Adventures, Inc. • Newport Beach is the headquarters of the Gondola Society of America Company History & Profile • Multi -generational small business o Started by Greg and Elisa Mohr as newlyweds in 1993, under the umbrella of Adventures at Sea Yacht Charters (Adventures at Sea sold to Hornblower in 2004) o Greg proposed to Elisa on a gondola o Elisa's mother Anne is Senior Sales Representative and Newport Beach's best advocate to clients coming in from other cities, states, and countries o Greg and Elisa's daughters (ages 18 and 21) both work for the company o Family resides in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa (25+ years) • 25 -year stellar reputation with: o Customers o Local businesses o Landlord o Harbor Patrol • Greg (aka "Gondola Greg") is the foremost authority on gondolas and Venice in the English-speaking world o Maintains a gondola blog, www.GondolaGre2.com o Frequently consults on gondola operations throughout the world o Has consulted for National Geographic, the Venetian Hotel, and many more • 50% woman owned • Great carbon footprint — we were green before it was fashionable o Gondolas are rowed or electric -powered o No pollution o No gas, fumes, dumping • Coveted 5 -star Yelp rating • Largest outdoor gondola fleet in the world, with the exception of Venice, Italy • Operates the historic Lucia gondola, previously owned by the Curci Family • Fleet contains the only operating Wedding Gondolas west of New England • Fleet contains the only canopy -covered gondolas in the US • Operation helps waterfront locations comply with the Coastal Commission rules regarding preferential occupancy by visitor -serving commercial recreational facilities Page 1 1 Clientele and Cruises • Upscale clients celebrating special occasions • Tens of thousands of marriage proposals • Rekindled romances • "The fastest way out of the doghouse is by gondola" • Marriage counselors send couples on a gondola cruise on assignment • Clients often order our custom "Message in a Bottle providing a lifetime keepsake to supplement their memories • Old world charm • Low impact on building and property o Mostly weekends and evenings o Mostly couples o Clients are not rowdy • Singing gondoliers • Gondolas typically cruise with two passengers but can accommodate groups and families (6 per boat) • Repeat customers with decades -long history of coming back year -after -year • Quaint, charming, and entrepreneurial • Completely unique; does not compete with other water activities or local businesses Press Features • #1 on USA Today's Top Ten Romantic Things to Do in Orange County • American Airlines in-flight magazine (featured on the cover and in article) • Alaska Airlines in-flight magazine • Pelican Hill magazine • Travel + Leisure Magazine — World's Most Beautiful Canal Cities - Newport Beach profile specifically mentions gondolas • Orange Coast Magazine • CBS Top Valentine's Day Getaways • Various local television, newspaper, and magazine write-ups Community Involvement and Events • Supports local charities through hundreds of donations • Supports Visit Newport Beach with FAM tours for travel writers, media, travel scouts, etc. • School field trips for youth to learn about the history of Venice and gondolas and take a short cruise (with Gondola Greg, President of the Gondola Society of America) • Member, Chamber of Commerce • Member, Visit Newport Beach • Hosted US Gondola Nationals in 2015 and slated to host in 2019 o Annual racing and skill competition of gondoliers around the US o Hosted at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club o Newport Beach gondoliers have taken home the most medals of any gondola operation in 6 years since the inception of the event Page 12 Supports Local Businesses • Rusty Pelican provides dinners, appetizers, desserts • C'est Si Bon provides lunches • Local entrepreneur and chef Matt Paine of Matt's Cheesecake provides individual mason - jar cheesecakes • Local florists used • Local student photographers • We pick up and drop off at local restaurants and hotels o The Winery o Billy's at the Beach o Balboa Bay Resort o Pizza Nova o The Dock Restaurant o The Cannery o Bluewater Grill o Nobu • Clients frequent local restaurants before and after their cruises • Reservations for gondola cruises help restaurants clear tables in a timely manner, opening them up for more customers • Local hotels benefit as clients are pulled from San Diego to Santa Barbara and beyond • Wedding escapes and sneak -up surprises to and from charter yachts add a memorable touch of personalization to large events • Realtors in the canals mention gondolas as a selling point • Ultimate amenity to the dock in front of a restaurant Supports Local Residents and Youth Through Employment • Employs high school students as young as 14 for what is often their first job (gondolier assistant) • Provides part-time employment opportunities for local high school and college students (gondoliers and office staff) • Some gondolier alumni have moved on to become full-time yacht captains, as the gondolas provide a good opportunity to get seatime) • Student photography program provides high school and college students the ability to supplement their portfolio with unique photos • One gondolier started as a teenager and has worked part-time for the 22 years (he now has four sons who are already talking about being gondoliers) • 2018 gave us our first "Legacy Gondolier" — the teenage son of a former gondolier who proposed on a gondola in Newport Beach Page 13 www.gondola.com GONDOLA ADVENTURES®, INC. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Greg Mohr, President, Gondola AdventuresO, Inc. Cell: 949-337-6359, Office 949-646-2067 x867 3101 West Coast Highway, Suite 110 Newport Beach, CA 92663 Tel. 949-646-2067 • 855 -GONDOLA Fax 949-642-4760 www.gondola.com GONDOLA ADVENTURES® WELCOMES THE MOST HISTORIC OPERATING WEDDING GONDOLA IN THE AMERICAS TO ITS NEWPORT BEACH FLEET Newport Beach, CA, June 21, 2010 — Gondola Adventuress, Inc. is excited to welcome to its fleet the oldest and most historic wedding gondola outside of Venice, Italy. The gondola, "Lucia", was built in1960 by the renowned gondola building family at Squero Tramontin. In 1964, she was imported to the United States by Janet Curci as a surprise gift for her father. Janet Curci is a well-known philanthropist in the Newport Beach -Costa Mesa area. She has been an active supporter of Hoag Hospital, as well as the Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center in Rancho Mirage, which honors her mother. The gondola, "Lucia", was named after her mother. Gondola Adventures® operates the only authentic Venetian gondolas available for cruises in Newport Beach. Wedding gondolas are known as the finest gondolas afloat. They can be easily distinguished by their carved decks and are typically more well-appointed than "standard" gondolas. Most passenger gondolas are decommissioned in fewer than 30 years. Only the finest gondolas receive the kind of care that this boat has received. As a privately -owned gondola, the Curci Family has maintained "Lucia" using expert care by the best in the business. "Lucia" has been in storage for nearly a decade; both Gondola Adventures® and the Curci Family are looking forward to seeing her ply the waters of Newport Harbor once again, to create unique and special memories for exclusive clientele. The "Lucia" will launch on Thursday, June 24, 2010. Gondola Adventuress, Inc. operates gondolas in Newport Beach, California, as well as in Irving, Texas. The company's founder and President, Greg Mohr, is also the President of the Gondola Society of America, and the foremost authority on gondolas outside of Venice, Italy. He maintains a daily blog of all things gondola -related at www.GondolaGreg.com. He can often be found rowing the beautiful waters of Newport Beach in his authentic gondolas. The "Lucia" will be available for photos on the launch date of June 24, 2010.