300-Plus Signatures—and Counting—to Boycott Lassen's

We’ve already shared blogger Howie Klein’s concerns about the successor to Nature Mart in Los Feliz.

Klein visited 2080 Hillhurst Ave. just after November 1 and discovered the new tenant was Lassen’s Natural Foods—founded in 1971 by Hilma and Oda Lassen, the private organic food chain now runs 10 stores.

What bothered Klein was donations the firm made in 2008 supporting Proposition 8, the ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage in California.

According to the Los Angeles Times, SF Gate and DontBuyFromBigots.com records, the health food chain’s three donations totaled a little more than $30,500. Made between Aug. 21, 2008 and Sept. 15, 2008, the donations contributed to the $39.9 million raised in support of Prop 8.

See related PDF in the Media Gallery on this page.

Mormon Support

Many Lassens are also practicing Mormons. That includes Peter Lassen, the head of the chain store. 

The support of the Mormon community was key to Prop 8’s success in organizing and fundraising.

Prop 8, which passed after one of the most costly electoral battles ever, is currently on hold following a decision by a federal appellate court.

Klein said in his Down With Tyranny blog he would refuse to shop at the store, knowing Lassen’s was in charge.

He’s not alone.

Boycott Petition

A petition to pledge to boycott the store  is fast attracting signatures—324 as of 10:55 a.m. on Thursday. It reads, in part: 

Of course your company should be free to spend money in support of your beliefs, but a huge number of local residents (of all backgrounds and orientations) don't want our money being used to promote discriminatory laws. We, your new neighbors, will exercise our freedom by spreading the word and giving no money to your store.

We told Peter Lassen about the petition on Monday. He seemed frustrated—but also prepared to respond.

'Family'—Not Business—Choice

“It was a family choice, a private choice,” he said, adding: “We didn’t have ‘Support Prop 8’ signs in our stores—that is not the platform for politics.”

Most recently, he said, Lassen’s has donated to help build water wells in Uganda (now, then, there’s a cause!).

The firm, he added, does not discriminate in hiring or promotion.

“If you look at who we hire and how people are treated you will see that, Lassen said, emphasizing that several stores have gay managers.

Hands-On Owner Rehires Old Staff

According to employees, Peter, the sixth of the founders’ seven children, has been at the Los Feliz store almost every afternoon since November 1.

He has overseen employees busy restocking the shelves left bare after Nature Mart’s big blowout sale.

Most key managers remain the same, including juice bar manager Gustavo Gonzalez, as well as the supplements and organic produce managers.

According to one employee, all Nature Mart managers were offered a chance to be rehired by Lassen’s. Some declined.

The employee said the last-minute timing of the Lassen’s deal left everyone unsure about what would happen next, but that matters seem to have been ironed out since then.

Some Shoppers at Peace With Lassen's

Shoppers seem to have settled down, too.

We caught up with Lauren Bradley, a fashion designer from Echo Park as she was leaving the store.

She said she’s been back several times since Lassen’s took over, for health advice—the main reason she came to the old Nature Mart.

Bradley said she’s delighted that the same people have been there to help with her ailments—her handy and trustworthy substitutes for “white-coated doctors.”

Bradley seemed willing to forgive the Lassen family’s Prop. 8 support—as did other patrons we talked to. What’s more, Bradley looked forward to the store’s planned changes, such fresh-made sandwiches, an expanded supplements selection and a thorough renovation.

Questions Remain

Whether former patrons will be as forgiving remains unclear, although the petition does include this language:

If you ever decide you want to take real steps toward undoing this wrong, we're wide open to positive change, and we'd be thrilled to have a neighborhood health food store that we can support in good conscience.

What exactly those "steps" might include remains to be seen. Meanwhile, former Nature Mart customers on the store’s mailing list can expect to receive their first Lassen’s newsletter shortly.