Category Archives: retail

New Escalators Installed Over the Weekend at FIGat7th in Downtown LA

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Work crews install new escalators that mark a milestone in the new shopping center's extensive remodel (Photo: Gary Leonard)

The active construction going on at FIGat7th–currently undergoing a $41 million remodeling job–continues to chug along toward an expected fall 2012 grand opening as new escalators were installed over the past weekend on Saturday morning (2/11/12). A crane was brought in to hoist the new escalators into place creating a new pedestrian-oriented entrance along Figueroa St. The placement of the escalators along the sidewalk allows pedestrians to access the newly remodeled FIGat7th with ease instead of the former placement of escalators tucked away, hidden in the back of the complex.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, pedestrian oriented, real estate, retail

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[Video] Clifton’s Cafeteria Unveiling Event Symbolic of Broadway’s Come Back in Downtown LA

Posted on February 8, 2012 by | 6 Comments


Watch the video of the unveiling of Clifton’s Cafeteria in Downtown LA

For decades, one of the most architecturally beautiful streets in the country has remained derelict and forgotten, left behind for the suburbs to let our city’s most treasured historic buildings sit vacant and uncared-for. Swap meets and check cashing centers dot the landscape where grand department stores and movie palaces once attracted people from far and wide. Nevertheless, Broadway has been waiting patiently for a new generation of Angelenos who care enough and understand the tremendous potential of this amazing part of Los Angeles to become one of the greatest city centers in the country. And the time has come.

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Posted in architecture, community involvement, downtown los angeles, events, food, restaurants, retail

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Simply Salad Opening Second Location in Downtown LA’s Old Bank District

Posted on February 8, 2012 by | 9 Comments

The sign for Simply Salad announcing their arrival in the Old Bank District went up this week at the Medallion Apartments

Thanks to Downtown LA resident Joshua Levi for alerting me this week about Simply Salad putting up their “Coming Soon” sign this past Monday at the Medallion apartments ground floor retail space. Owners Cameron Lewis and Bruce Teichman opened up their first and only other Simply Salad in early 2010 at the Ralphs Market Lofts in South Park. According to Simply Salad, the fast casual restaurant “specializes in the freshest custom-built signature salads and wraps with 65+ toppings and 25+ dressings.”

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Posted in downtown los angeles, food, restaurants, retail

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Walmart Express Rumored to be Coming to Chinatown in Downtown LA

Posted on January 26, 2012 by | 4 Comments

Walmart's new urban concept called "Walmart Express" is rumored to be looking in Chinatown in Downtown LA

Late last year, a source informed me that a new urban-Walmart concept called “Walmart Express” was looking to open one of its first West Coast locations somewhere in Downtown LA. This new urban concept would be a lot smaller than their usual big box locations that are as large as 185,000 square feet–try a mere 15,000 square feet according to the WSJ.

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Clark’s Gallery Now Open in the Financial District in Downtown LA

Posted on January 26, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Clark's Gallery recently opened for business and is located by Wilshire/Grand Ave in the Financial District in Downtown LA

Back in Nov 2011, I posted about the arrival of Clark’s Gallery in the Financial District replacing the DowntownLAGallery, which apparently used to be a Jack in the Box fast food restaurant sometime in the 90s. Located by Wilshire/Grand Ave directly next to popular hang out spot Casey’s Irish Pub and not far from the future Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Clark’s Gallery is now open after relocating from its former location near the Bradbury Building in the Biddy Mason Park.

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Posted in art and culture, downtown los angeles, retail

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Ross Dress For Less Leases 39,000 SF in Historic Woolworth Building on Broadway in Downtown LA

Posted on January 11, 2012 by | 15 Comments

Ross Dress for Less will replace the former long-gone Foot Locker in the historic Woolworth Building on Broadway

A press release today from LA Councilman Jose Huizar’s office announces the arrival of discount giant Ross Dress for Less into Downtown LA’s nascent retail scene with a planned opening in early 2013. The new Ross will take over 39,000 SF of retail space consisting of the first floor and basement within the 1920 historic Woolworth Building (a former Foot Locker store) and according to Huizar’s press release, “Grand historic staircases are being restored and modern amenities are being added to the design to complement the existing historic fabric of the building, creating a unique urban Downtown model for the national retailer.”

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Posted in downtown los angeles, fashion, retail

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Equinox Gym Leases 33,000 SF at CitiGroup Center in Downtown LA

Posted on January 6, 2012 by | 6 Comments

Two sources today have informed me that Equinox Fitness Gym has finally found a place to setup shop in Downtown LA. This is exciting news for those who are fans of Equinox and who either live and/or work downtown. The upscale national gym chain that recently acquired Sports Club/LA has signed a lease at the CitiGroup Center at 5th and Flower in the heart of the Financial District. Downtown LA will be Equinox’s 14th location in the LA metro and will be another great amenity added to Downtown LA that will help activate the corner of 5th and Flower even after work hours as many office workers and residents nearby will undoubtedly be headed there to workout.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, real estate, retail

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Downtown LA’s Urban Sportswear Holy Grail Expands with New “Colors” Retail Concept

Posted on January 3, 2012 by | 7 Comments

Colors is a new retail store in South Park selling vintage sportswear and new caps

One of the most popular sports and urban street wear boutiques in Los Angeles, The Holy Grail, also happens to sit on the southern edge of South Park in Downtown LA along a still-developing Pico Blvd, currently separated from the bulk of downtown’s skyscrapers by a vast sea of surface parking lots (ripe for developments when the timing is right). Selling mostly consignment sneakers, including some of the most coveted varieties like the Air Jordan 11, The Holy Grail has become a success story being one of the first pioneers in Downtown LA’s budding retail scene.

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“Apolis: Common Gallery” Flagship Boutique Now Open in the Arts District in Downtown LA

Posted on November 30, 2011 by | 2 Comments

Apolis: Common Gallery opened their new flagship boutique earlier this month in Downtown LA's Arts District

Apolis: Common Gallery window display

Earlier this month, November 10th to be exact, a new and exciting men’s fashion boutique called “Apolis: Common Gallery” had their grand opening in Downtown LA’s Arts District. Why is it exciting? For one thing, if you haven’t been to the Arts District lately (a wonderfully gritty and urban enclave sandwiched between Little Tokyo and the LA River), you would be pleasantly surprised just how active the neighborhood has become over the past several years not only with all the new residents moving into those amazing industrial lofts but also with all the new businesses opening up catering to that new influx of permanent residents (and their friends and families coming to visit them too of course!).

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First Republic Bank to Relocate into Promerica Bank Location in Downtown LA

Posted on November 27, 2011 by | 1 Comment

As a result of the Wilshire Grand Hotel redevelopment, First Republic Bank will relocate to the Promerica Bank location at 9th and Figueroa just down the street from its current location at 7th and Figueora at the Wilshire Grand Hotel

As the Wilshire Grand Hotel prepares to be demolished early next year (2012) to make way for a $1 billion duo high-rise development including offices and hotels and possibly condos, the businesses that are currently on the ground floor must leave by the time the hotel gets “the wrecking ball” around April 2012. One of those businesses that has found a new home is First Republic Bank, which is one of the nation’s leading private banking institutions with select locations in the country like New York, San Francisco, Boston, and 6 branches here in LA including their flagship downtown location.

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Posted in downtown los angeles, economic development, real estate, retail

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