Sound Off: Do You Secretly Wish for Certain Chain Stores in Malibu?

While Malibu’s Measure R ordinance limiting new chain stores in retail developments is being challenged by two developers in court, the Malibu chamber of Commerce is asking you to be the judge, in the meantime.

What kind of stores does Malibu need? Are there chains you’d be willing to patronize for the sake of affordability and convenience? Do you mind having to trek outside of town for your shopping needs in order to preserve the local charm of Malibu’s shopping centers? Take the Malibu Chamber of Commerce survey and tell us what you think in the comments.

In February, Malibu filed a motion to dismiss all claims in a federal lawsuit challenging a local measure that put limits on chain stores. Measure R, which restricts the proportion of chain retailers in new Malibu developments to no more than 30 percent by square footage and requires that any commercial development of more than 20,000 square feet be submitted to voters for approval, was passed in November.

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The lawsuit challenging the measure was lodged last month in Los Angeles federal court by Steve Soboroff, who wants to bring a Whole Foods store to the city, and Jerrold Perenchio’s Malibu Bay Company, which has plans for a retail and office center. The two contend that the measure violates the constitution’s equal protection clause.

Measure R’s proponents, who include filmmaker Rob Reiner and Barbra Streisand, argued that Malibu’s “small-town character” was threatened by a possible 1.5 million square feet of new development, including the 25,000- square-foot Whole Foods market.

What do you think? Are there certain chain stores that would fit in with the Malibu vibe?

• City News Service contributed to this report.