CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

UPDATED: Carousel Petition Creator Announces One-Day Boycott

A local mom who started a petition to try to save the Fashion Island carousel has announced a planned boycott of the shopping center for Dec. 3.

“I’m asking everyone to boycott Fashion Island for that day,” said Keree James, a mother of two children who started an online petition. “Go to South Coast Plaza instead, and go on the carousel there.”

James started the petition in September after she learned that the Irvine Company’s remodel of the shopping center meant the end of the six-year-old carousel. The pop-jet fountain located near the Gary’s store, which also is popular with small children, will be removed as well. Irvine Company representatives have said in the past that while the understand the disappointment some parents might feel, change is good in the retail business, and the $100 million remodel will create a gorgeous shopping experience.

“Whenever we hear from a dissatisfied customer, we try and rectify the situation,” said John Christensen, vice president of the Irvine Company. “Unfortunately, in this instance, our plans for the center are complete and there simply isn’t a physical space where we can relocate the carousel.”

He added: “We admire her passion on this issue and hope that at the very least, when all of the work is finished at Fashion Island, her family will return to the center and enjoy all of our new amenities, including the open grass areas and new water features as well as the ever-popular koi pond, the new waterwall, and Iris fountain.”

The petition to save the carousel has more than 700 signatures, many leaving comments asking the Irvine Company to reconsider.

“I shop at Fashion Island because it is a fun ‘family’ outing,” wrote Trisha Nabal. “Generally everyone comes home with a treat, shoes always being a favorite. If the carousel is removed it will no longer be fun for the whole family and I will shop closer to home in Huntington Beach. It is so sad that Fashion Island is planning to shun current and future shoppers and to distroy such a wonderful piece of history. I hope they reconsider.”

James said she left a message for South Coast Plaza officials, telling them about her plans. “What if 700 people show up on Dec. 3 to ride their carousel?” she said. “They should be prepared.”

James and her efforts have been featured in several local media outlets, and a KABC-TV/Channel 7 reporter was scheduled to interview her this afternoon.

Read our earlier stories here and here.