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Abbot Kinney's indie street cred has been the subject of intensely heated debate since being crowned by GQ as America's coolest block a few years back. In a move that will surely fuel even more pitchfork-pumping protests, tech giant Intel has opened an "experience" pop-up store on the Venice shopping stretch, just down the way from TOMS' flagship shop.
On top of offering shoppers a hands-on experience of their tablets, laptops and other devices, the brand is also looking to establish itself as a community hub with live performances, workshops and other family-friendly, neighborhood-y events. Given that some in the boho beach community have been none too pleased about the slew of chain retailers (hey, there've been plenty of indie openings, too!), we can only expect the conversation to intensify between devoted NIMBY-ers and the folks who flock to Abbot Kinney for its ever-expanding retail therapy options.
So what say you—Is this the final nail in the corporatization coffin of Venice's beloved retail block? Or is gentrification not so bad after all?
· Intel [Official Site]
· Abbot Kinney Named "Coolest Block in America" [Racked]
· Lucky Brand Continues the Commercialization of Abbot Kinney [Racked]
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