Industriel, after a long wait, finally opens this week at Sixth and Grand in the Financial District
The sign went up in October of 2011, and after almost a year and half since Industriel was first announced that it would replace Carl’s Jr at 6th and Grand in the Financial District, it is now finally nearing the finish line as the new French restaurant prepares for its grand opening tomorrow on Friday.
Mike's Deli is now open on First Street near San Pedro Street in Little Tokyo
Back in early March, a reader sent in a tip to watch for a new deli shop from the Crenshaw District, called Mike’s Deli, that was opening along First Street in the Little Tokyo and Civic Center area. Now, Mike’s Deli has been open for a little longer than a month and has added another eatery to a growing neighborhood in Little Tokyo. Already, it seems like Yelp reviewers have embraced the new location with 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Urban Noodle is looking for a new location and Bar Ama will replace it (including an expansion)
April 28th was the last day of business for the Old Bank District’s Urban Noodle restaurant. A letter posted on the outside of the now-closed restaurant from the Urban Noodle management states that another location is in the works. At the same time, another restaurant called Bar Amá will replace Urban Noodle.
The popular Papi's Pizzeria is opening a second location at 5th and Main in the Historic Core
Papi’s Pizza is gaining quite the fan base lately (4.5 out of 5 on Yelp). The pizzeria just opened earlier this year at the newly remodeled Huntington Apartments at 8th and Main but has already become one of the most popular spots to grab a pizza downtown. Although I have not tried it myself, many downtown residents have informed me that it just might be one of the best pizzerias in LA. (I have promised to grab a slice the next time I’m craving pizza.)
Over the weekend, the new Mo-Chica sign was installed over the restaurant's front entrance
Early Saturday evening when the celebration for the new Expo Line was wrapping up, the very long-awaited Mo-Chica Peruvian restaurant on 7th Street finally showed another sign that it was closer to finally opening.
The Counter's newest flagship location now open in Downtown LA
We’ve waited eagerly for about a year since we first discovered that The Counter was coming to Downtown LA, and finally this past weekend, the popular LA-based chain served up its first burgers to a packed house. It was a perfect weekend to get the ball rolling for The Counter as the highly anticipated Expo Line also began its inaugural train service from Downtown LA.
Painters added the finishing touches to Two Boots Pizza's new mural sign as the restaurant prepares to open next week
On Thursday afternoon, two painters (or artists) were perched high on a mechanical lifter adding the finishing touches to the new Two Boots Pizza mural signage set against a bright yellow facade. The final prep work was an exciting moment to witness as Two Boots is only days away from opening on Broadway (LA’s second location after Echo Park), adding to the revival of LA’s architecturally grandest thoroughfare.
These white construction walls were put up this week as Starbucks begins construction at the Skyline Condos in South Park
Back in Jan 2012, it was reported that a Starbucks was replacing the former Minute Man Press retail space at the Skyline Condominiums in South Park at the corner of 9th/Flower. For about 4 months, the space has sat dormant waiting for permits to be approved by the city. This week, construction has finally begun with a temporary white wall erected around the future patio seating area of Starbucks. The coffee chain will be a welcome addition to this corner as it will activate it bringing more life to this area. Construction is moving full steam ahead and should be done by the end of June.
The Counter installed new signs over the weekend as the popular burger chain plans to open by the end of April 2012
It’s been almost a year since I first reported that The Counter was going to replace most of the Roosevelt leasing office on 7th Street (a smaller leasing office is being built out next to Counter). About 9 months later, I am eager to see this place open so we can add another eatery to our growing restaurant row along 7th Street. With another restaurant open, another section of our once empty sidewalks will be activated.
Smart & Final (Extra) is rumored to be in close talks with L&R at taking the ground floor space at a newly renovated 845 S Fig office building in the Financial District (Photo: L&R)
Although we all really do love our one true Downtown LA grocery store Ralphs Fresh Fare–so much so that all the business from downtown residents have catapulted the location to one of the highest performing stores in Southern California–downtown residents have been yearning for more grocery options. Variety is the spice of life right? And although we’re not getting a Trader Joe’s anytime soon (much to the chagrin of downtown residents), good news may still be on the horizon as several sources are informing me that LA-based grocery chain, Smart & Final, is close to signing a long-term lease at 845 S Fig in the Financial District.
