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The ‘Danish Mafia,’ Old Money and the Struggle to Turn Solvang Into the Next Carmel
SFgate ^ | Sep. 26, 2022 | Andrew Pridgen

Posted on 09/26/2022 3:59:00 PM PDT by nickcarraway

For the Central Coast town of Solvang, its signature will always be its faux-traditional Danish village, built in the 1940s. It now stands today as a mile-long cartoon backdrop of gift shops and Danish Renaissance-style buildings.

But beneath the surface of the town’s kitschy appeal, a new generation of world-class chefs, barkeeps and merchants is making steady gains to revitalize Solvang. Yet they’re discovering that changing a beloved place’s carefully orchestrated image — transforming Solvang from a spot to roll in on a tour bus and grab a mini Danish flag into a true destination — is a heady task.

Resistance to change may be what’s prohibiting the hamlet of more than 6,000 residents, in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, from becoming the next must-visit destination in California. One factor: an older guard that continues to rely on the town’s traditions to stay afloat.

Some of it is for good reason. For one, preservation of the town’s unforgettable, Disney-esque footprint in a time where tradition seems to be literally crumbling to the ground, seems honorable. From hidden nooks above bookshops that contain entire museums to a main drag that feels straight out of the pages of Hansel and Gretel, the desire to honor the old and slowly fold in the new is genuine.

“I don’t think we’re trying to change anything or ruin anything,” Rene Kaerskov told SFGATE while enjoying a cup of coffee outside the Danish Mill Bakery, his cafe and sweet shop on the town’s main drag, Copenhagen Drive.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Local News; Travel
KEYWORDS: centralcoast; santabarbara; solvang

Solvang has always been a spot to visit, but I don't think it could ever be Carmel. Carmel has the ocean, and so much natural beauty.

In the vicinity Carmel has Moss Landing, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel Valley (including their wine country), Point Lobos, Big Sur.

1 posted on 09/26/2022 3:59:00 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Carmel-by-the-Sea is unique and no one should even try to replicate it.


2 posted on 09/26/2022 4:01:50 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard ( Resist the narrative.)
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To: hinckley buzzard

Only G-d.


3 posted on 09/26/2022 4:03:30 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Careful how you advertise your nice things. California Dems will find a way to either take it away or ruin it forever if you get their attention.


4 posted on 09/26/2022 4:06:40 PM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: nickcarraway

Many. many years ago I visited Solvang, and on more than one occasion. Kind of a neat place back in those days (the last time I was there was 45 years ago).


5 posted on 09/26/2022 4:08:00 PM PDT by ought-six (Multiculturalism is national suicide, and political correctness is the cyanide capsule. )
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To: nickcarraway

Solvang already has plenty of visitors - I was there a few weeks ago and surprised at the number of people. It’s a nice town - lots of unique shops - but some owners don’t want you taking Pics of their items.


6 posted on 09/26/2022 4:10:42 PM PDT by 11th_VA
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To: nickcarraway
Liberals always complain about American imperialism.

The new selfish rich Lear-jet liberals are the biggest practitioners of it in our country (Montana, Jackson Hole, Leavenworth WA, and now Solvang).

7 posted on 09/26/2022 4:14:33 PM PDT by llevrok (Pronouns: Me/myself/& I)
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To: nickcarraway

Carmel has the sea, but Solvang has Split Pea Anderson’s just down the road!


8 posted on 09/26/2022 4:21:57 PM PDT by j.havenfarm (21 years on Free Republic, 12/10/21! More than 5000 replies and still not shutting up!)
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To: nickcarraway

BINGO!!! It’s cute but it’s not GORGEOUS like the Carmel area!! Nice try, Danes and swedes.


9 posted on 09/26/2022 4:37:49 PM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....... The HUMAN Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: BradyLS
Careful how you advertise your nice things. California Dems will find a way to either take it away or ruin it forever if you get their attention.

Exactly. They are trying to californicate the central coast in their image of glitzy alternative bay area and la-la land lifestyles.

Solvang is unique and that is it's draw. It doesn't have all of the crappy plastic show of a disney production or the snobbery of Napa wineries. It is a little piece of "un" california right in the middle of hiway 101. If the bay gays and LA elites don't care for that, screw them.

10 posted on 09/26/2022 4:41:29 PM PDT by pfflier
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To: BradyLS

Surprised they haven’t been torched to a cinder already for cultural appropriation.


11 posted on 09/26/2022 4:46:45 PM PDT by lump in the melting pot (Believe nothing until it is denied by the Kremlin)
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To: nickcarraway

The BIG issue is the Chumash casino a few miles up the road from Solvang. Solvang first needs to shore up it’s Danish heritage. So upgrade its Danish food presentation, Danish products and lifestyle,old and new. Then, it needs to update it’s Santa Ynez country, farm, equestrian, wine and history attraction. It needs some smaller high quality entertainment options. Small clubs and larger size attractions....like a playhouse, opulent movie house, and even opera. An old school spa/hotel/Danish restaurant would be helpful. The idea is to get the people attracted to the area by the Casino/food/hotel complex to stay and enjoy their outing apart from the casino. Solvang should not lose it’s character to be transformed into another trendoid venue.
Solving Solvang (oh, dear) should be straight forward.


12 posted on 09/26/2022 4:47:52 PM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
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To: nickcarraway

My parents loved Solvang because it had the best meth on the Central Coast!


13 posted on 09/26/2022 4:52:05 PM PDT by MeganC (There is nothing feminine about feminism. )
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To: MeganC; humblegunner
My parents loved Solvang because it had the best meth on the Central Coast!

SShhhh. Don't tell Humblegunner. That's all we need is Texican meth-heads migrating to my old stomping grounds and ruining it.


14 posted on 09/26/2022 5:20:06 PM PDT by bagster ("Even bad men love their mamas".)
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To: nickcarraway

Are they building a Pebble Beach like golf course?


15 posted on 09/26/2022 5:42:26 PM PDT by deweyfrank (Nobody's Perfect )
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To: nickcarraway
We used to really enjoy Solvang. We dated there, stayed at King Fredricks Inn, and visited whenever we could.

A few years back we thought it was too touristy, a bit “uppity”, and no longer fun. And since we avoid carbs the pastries have lost their appeal.

After a few hours in Copenhagen between flights, we’re now looking forward to visiting the real deal.

16 posted on 09/27/2022 3:46:21 AM PDT by The Truth Will Make You Free
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