GLENDALE—The Americana at Brand issued an apology to Armenian cart vendors after the shopping center’s management chose to bar them from selling their merchandise saying that it was inappropriate.
“We would like to apologize to our cart tenants, Tina Chuldzhyan, Alex Kodagolian and Armin Hariri, for the regrettable misunderstanding regarding their cart’s merchandise,” the Americana at Brand posted on the company’s Facebook page. “The cart tenant is more than welcome to have its product in question displayed on the cart.”
On Monday, Asbarez published an article by Harut Saassounian, in his regular “My Turn” column, in which the he reported on Americana’s decision to ban the sale of Armenian Genocide-themed t-shirts.
“Three young Armenian entrepreneurs rented a cart last month at the Americana — a large shopping-restaurant-theater complex in Glendale — to sell T-shirts, hats, and other clothing items advertised on their shop1915.com website.
After Americana’s leasing staff approved their merchandise, Tina Chuldzhyan, Alex Kodagolian, and Armin Hariri (a rapper known as ‘R-Mean’) began selling their merchandise.
On February 12, the opening day of their business, the three Armenians were unexpectedly told by Americana’s management to keep their cart family-friendly and remove all pictures of protests. Even though there were no pictures of any protests on the cart — just posters of people wearing the T-shirts on sale — Chuldzhyan told The California Courier that she immediately took down the posters to avoid any conflict with Americana.
On Feb. 25, Americana issued an ultimatum telling Tina and her two partners that within 24 hours they had to change the kind of merchandise they were selling, claiming that there had been public complaints about the ‘genocide’ clothing. Otherwise, they would have three days to vacate the premises.
Fearing that they were on the verge of eviction, the three entrepreneurs agreed not to display the Armenian T-shirts, and sell them only if requested by a customer. Later that afternoon, an Americana official reiterated that all clothing items with the ‘genocide’ theme had to be completely removed from the cart,” wrote Sassounian.
The Armenian tenants should sue the management and ask them write an apology letter and post it everywhere in the Americana. Where is the freedom of speech and everything else that comes with it.
Regardless of the apology, they need to make a HUGE donation to the American Genocide Committees, NOW
Caruso is a smart businessman. As soon as he sniffed negative publicity to his establishment he chose to apologize and sweep the matter under the rug. However, this should not be celebrated as a victory just yet. Questions still remain as to why and who was behind the fiasco. Now that we have their attention, they need to further fess up. This is a perfect example of what unity and economical power can achieve. Yes, this is only Glendale, but can you imagine if we had the same clout nationally? The sky would be the limit. We must learn from other more savvy groups on ways to utilize our economical power. Ballot voting might be one way, but voting with your pocketbook drives the message home faster.
Perhaps, the American can go even further and give Tina Chuldzhyan, Alex Kodagolian and Armin Hariri cart space at the Grove. Since, they obviously lost a retail day or two for ceasing operations when told to by Americana management.
thank you
How can one take their statement as an apology? Just because the word “apologize” is in it does not cut it. The statement lacks substance and recognition of the issue. Calling it a “misunderstanding” is just adding insult to injury. Please do not report/portray this as an “win” – it’s a mockery and a dismissal.
this is so true. i was hoping someone would point this out. their apology kind of sounds like a “LOL sorry” to me
*** I wounder just who and what group was behind this so called public complaints, the answer is quite obvious,
The cheating/nasty Turks & there Azeri poppets can bark and shout as much as they want, the truth is in our side.
If they think they can stop us, they better think again before they do any thing stupid like this again.
Who owns the Americana?
Rick Caruso is the owner the Americana and The Grove.
its time for the citizens of Glendale to move Americana.
It is not the first time that Armenians are given ultimatums left right and centre for things that are totally legal . Maybe they think Armenians are soft touch while Turks get away with murder! Name and shame them when it is called for. I thank Mr. Sassounian for raising this issue in his article. We are not under the Ottomans any longer. Tbere are many things one can do going through legal a d media processes to get the record straight. Some people thlught it was a waste of time to pursue this matter but the proof is , it pays to dema d your rights. If you don’t, then ylu will be a doormat and companies like Starbuckd or this one would think that they can walk all over you!
in a way the publicity is good for the genocide to be acknoledged by the president obama .after the 43th state north dakota had reconized it and passed the resolution 51/17 .
march 12,2015
the higher management is just looking for a way to kiss Rick Carussos ass, just to show we are on top .Rick is a smart guy, I am sure he was not aware of this
With Armenians united, everything is possible.