Editorial: Surveys show surprises

Laguna Beach has been surveyed twice over the past several months and the results are fascinating.

Mission Hospital’s health survey indicates that Lagunans see themselves as a healthy lot overall, in fact much healthier physically and mentally than in the rest of the country. One advantage for Lagunans is a relative lack of weight issues, and no doubt the ability to walk, run and surf the shoreline helps keep fat at bay.

But one possible dark cloud looms: the high rate of alcohol consumption, which was acknowledged by three-quarters of respondents and seems to mirror the high incidence of drug and alcohol use reported in local schools. Can it be that Lagunans have a higher enjoyment of life than residents of other communities, and that lends itself to a feeling of health and well-being and a reason to toast with some bubbly? Or are there stressors that are covered up with an alcohol buzz? It’s an interesting question.

Then there’s the resident survey undertaken by the City Council-appointed Long Term Business Assistance Task Force. This task force is out to find out how to improve the health of the local economy and encourage new businesses to come to Laguna.

Whereas locals are individually in extremely good health, the city’s business climate has been in sick bay: suffering from the global downturn and a sharp rise in store vacancies. This has alarmed city officials who rely on sales taxes to fund basic services like streets and sidewalks. The future prognosis for the city’s budget doesn’t look healthy, either, as the state continues to operate in the red and the threat of “taking” city funding still looms.

Until things start to turn around, concerned officials are trying to find out how to keep Lagunans in Laguna to shop for their basic needs.

And here we find the No. 1 store that survey respondents say consistently serves their needs: Coast Hardware. This is the “little shop that serves,” where you can find the perfect pot or pan, paint, an umbrella, a coffee maker or a coffee cup, or construction supplies. It’s like a general store, and the service is always friendly and efficient. Here’s the kicker: Coast Hardware is actually part of the Ace Hardware chain.

A few other stores were mentioned by name as popular with locals, but most said that for big-ticket items or clothing, they tended to head out of town.

And the two stores that locals said were most-wanted? Trader Joe’s and Target. There has been a yearning in town for a Trader Joe’s for years, and one has moved to Crystal Cove. But Target? A big-box store? That, and Coast Hardware’s success in serving locals, should be noted by city officials who are determined to keep all “formula-based businesses” “” we dare not say “chain stores” “” at bay.