Downtown Los Angeles Retail and Restaurants

[Westsidelife]

The retail/restaurant front is a vital component to the revitalization and gentrification of Downtown Los Angeles into a chic, vibrant urban center. Let us begin...

Tender Greens Looking Downtown, Taking Suggestions

By Rich Alossi
April 15, 2008

Downtown’s mid-range dining scene continues to grow, as the team behind Culver City’s esteemed Tender Greens confirms they are looking to open a Downtown LA location, as rumored late last year.

The comfortable counter-service eatery is a Westside fixture, dishing out fresh, made-to-order salads, steak, chicken, tuna and soups to those willing to wait in a line which occasionally snakes out the door.

According to co-owner Erik Oberholtzer, a 7th Street location is currently being scouted — though he adds, “We have some serious negotiating to do before going to lease.”

While that particular lease may or may not work out, with Tender Greens’ intentions now public, Oberholtzer hopes that “Maybe the right space will come to us.”

Good things rarely just drop into our laps, so let’s hear your input! Where would you like to see Tender Greens in Downtown?

[Westsidelife]

image hosted on flickr
image hosted on flickr


American Apparel Relocating, Other Little Tokyo Retail News

By Stephen Friday
April 17, 2008

American Apparel, one of the first new-wave retailers to take a chance years ago on the then budding Little Tokyo neighborhood, will be moving its existing store at 2nd and Central across the street to the Hikari Apartments. According to a company representative, the interior construction should be complete in four to six weeks, allowing for a larger, better-positioned retail presence for the merchant.

Next door, a new clothing shop called Kimski Makes has installed storefront signage and will be opening its doors soon. The Japanese-owned boutique will sell contemporary, second-hand fashions.

Around the corner inside in the former Routes space (at 130 S Central Ave), fro-yo clone Yogurtland is nearing completion on its first Downtown shop. According to Kelli Rodriguez, a corporate spokesman for the company, no official date is set, but the store will open sometime in late April/early May.

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[Westsidelife]

image hosted on flickr


Popular Pet Service Facility Leases Historic Core Space

By Stephen Friday
April 18, 2008

Bark Avenue, a full-service dog and cat boarding facility, is opening a new shop on Main Street inside the parking garage retail strip between 5th and 6th.

According to Facilities Director Karrian Myers, the pet care business is expanding from their current locale on Hill Street (just south of Adams Boulevard) to better service their growing Downtown clientèle.

“Most of our customers come from Downtown,” explains Myers. “The new [Main Street] location will make us to be more accessible to them, and allow our Hill Street location to focus on pet owners outside of Downtown.”

In addition to boarding services, Bark Avenue offers training, private lessons, grooming, food and supplies (with local pickup and delivery).

However, Myers cautions that the retail component may not be available in the new the 4,200 square-foot space, set to debut in August or September.

Considering the upscale, pet-pampering parlor Pussy & Pooch is only half a block away, that may be a strategic choice to compliment their business neighbor instead of rivaling it. Though with Lofty Dog out of the immediate picture, a little friendly competition could help get Pussy & Pooch’s high-end prices back on a leash.

-Lofty Dog Relocated to ‘Bark’-er Block

Thanks to Jim Winstead of trainedmonkey for the tip and contributions!

[Westsidelife]

image hosted on flickr


Chocolate Shop Promotes ‘Joy of Life’ in Industrial District

By Stephen Friday
April 11, 2008

Giant homemade Swiss chocolate truffles, fruit sorbet truffles, cocoa powdered organic almonds and liqueur sticks — flavored with Cognac, Williams, grappa, champagne, Grand Marnier — are just some of the handcrafted treats sold at Joy of Life, the Industrial District’s new dessert boutique.

Located in the Toy Factory Lofts between a fitness center and the Biscuit Lofts sales office, the confectionery opened in late January and adds to the growing diversity of retailers in the neighborhood.

“Our products are sold at distinguished retailers like Harrods Food Halls and Marks and Spencer in London, and locally in Whole Foods and high-end hotel gift shops of the Four Season, Beverly Hilton and Regent Beverly Wilshire,” says co-owner Martin Tschanz. (Pictured above, Victor Holler, Tschanz’s business partner.)

Joy of Life currently has locations in larger Mexican cities such as Guadalajara, but the Industrial District is LA’s first dedicated retail boutique. Additional shops are planned for other parts of California, Arizona and Texas.

While the niche product of gourmet truffles may not seem like a daily necessity for a few hundred loft dwellers in the enclave around Industrial and Mateo streets, resident Noah Stone points out that they make the only cappuccino south of Traction.

In this city, that’s always enough to sustain business.

Thanks to Noah Stone for his contributions and photography!

Joy of Life Chocolate
1855 Industrial Street #104
Los Angeles, CA 90021
213-415-1815
Open: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:00pm
joyoflifechocolate.com

-Toy Factory Lofts Welcome Worldly Art with Untitled (Gallery)

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[Westsidelife]

Community Input Paves Way for Lime Café

By Stephen Friday
April 11, 2008

Back in February, angelenic held a discussion forum over the prospect of a new Mexican grill for the Historic Core. At that time, restaurateur Michael Franz decided to run a litmus test on whether the community would support a casual eatery offering dishes made with fresh, natural ingredients alongside alcohol and art.

The response was overwhelming positive, with residents voicing support, constructive comments and suggestions.

Today, we proudly follow up that story with news that Michael Franz will proceed with his proposal, a new neighborhood joint to be known as Lime Café/Gallery/Bar.

Franz inked a deal Tuesday to replace Julie Rico Gallery (formerly Red Dot Gallery) in the retail space behind Weenez at the foot of the Security Building on the southeast corner of 5th and Spring.

“Lime will serve fresh, natural Mexican food using organic beans and rice. It will also be using all naturally raised and fed beef with no hormones, and organic chicken if I can find a good source,” states Franz.

“I am going to follow a lot of those suggestions [from angelenic readers] and stay open until midnight, although probably closing the kitchen around 9:30pm,” he continues. Lunch hours are set to run from 11:00am to 3:00pm, and hours would pick back up at 6:00pm for dinner, with the focus turning to a beer and wine bar later at night where Franz plans to make margaritas out of Soju.

“I found a ‘top shelf’ brand that makes awesome drinks without that Soju aftertaste. I was thinking about having a night where I invite your readers to sample the Soju margaritas for free.”

Cozy booths in the “modern industrial” space would will make Lime an ideal setting for the nightly bar scene Franz hopes to establish. If successful, hours could be extended as late as 2:00am.

Also, Julie Rico will continue to curate art for the space, so Franz will retain the gallery component but with a darker, more loungy vibe than a traditional gallery.

“I think I’ve perfected the concept, but I would love to get additional feedback before I open,” requests Franz. “I’m hoping to open June 1.”

-You Decide: New Historic Core Mexican Grill?

[ArchiTennis]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

image hosted on flickr

I love how people are starting to think outside of the box. Retail added into an existing parking structure. Love, love the idea.

[ArchiTennis]

oh...and shouldn't this thread be in Development News?

[Westsidelife]

^ The Development News sub-forum is only for construction.

[BEATSLIM]

Yuppies!!

[Westsidelife]

^ The more the merrier.

[milquetoast]

i’ve always wanted a pirate-themed brunch downtown

by Rich Alossi on May 2, 2008
It’s an episode of “Why didn’t they think of that earlier?” Downtown’s favorite pirate-themed bar & grill — okay, Downtown’s only pirate-themed bar & grill — now offers a special weekend brunch menu.

In a neighborhood famously lacking many weekend options, how can it get any better than dining on crab cakes or steak & eggs beneath decorative fishnet?


I’ve been told the menu isn’t final, so might I suggest adding Wench Toast, Arrr-tichoke Scramble and Blackbeard Burgers to the offerings? If not, we can still show some weekend love by trying out the new brunch hours, 11:00am to 2:00pm Saturday and Sunday.

Redwood Bar & Grill
316 W 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
theredwoodbar.com


Image via flickr usr double shot no ice.

[AlexTheMartian]

I want to move downtown now

[Westsidelife]

May 4, 2008

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Here are some downtown retail updates from earlier today:

Lot44 Coffee in the Douglas Building looks like it's only days away from opening.



A peak inside...



T-Mobile taking up the corner retail spot in the PanAmerican Lofts building at 3rd and Broadway, kitty corner from the Sprint store in the Bradbury Building.



And I don't know if this has been talked about in the LA Nightlife thread, but work has started on "Rivera" a restaurant and lounge on the Flower Street side of the Met Lofts. The photo is of a rendering sitting inside the window (sorry for the reflections). It says "tequilaria" in the picture on the upper right.

[Westsidelife]

Famima!! Still Taking Over Downtown, New Location Opening Next Month

By Rich Alossi
May 5, 2008

Given Famima’s significant expansion throughout Southern California with Los Angeles as a home base, it’s no surprise that the quirky convenience chain has made Downtown LA a top priority.

The trend continues early next month, with the fourth Downtown location opening at City National Plaza’s underground mall. Good coffee and better steamy buns, what more could a stressed-out office worker ask for?

No word on how many stores the company will be opening in Downtown, but according to a company representative, “Downtown is a very attractive location.”

-Famima!! Restructuring, but Downtown’s Pork Buns Safe for Now

Famima!!
505 South Flower
B-Level, Suite 520
Los Angeles CA 90071
famima-usa.com
Opening June 2008

[Westsidelife]

Indian Restaurant Planned for Old Bank District

By Stephen Friday
May 13, 2008

These days, the blocks of “Gilville” offer it all: a mix of great eateries, trendy boutiques, a coffee shop, hair salon, mini market, art galleries, even shiny new neon museum.

And by this time next year, the neighborhood, still under the tight reign of developer Tom Gilmore, may have something you can’t find anywhere else in Downtown - decent Indian cuisine.

Shaily, the newest dining project in the works by Gilmore & Associates, is being described as “Cal-Indian,” an innovative take on all the traditional spicy dishes one can only find locally at Gill’s Indian Restaurant.

Downtowners might look to East India Grill in Hollywood or Bombay Palace in Beverly Hills for what to expect from Shaily, which is reportedly moving into the Hellman Building Annex storefront on Spring Street next to the El Dorado Lofts.

Sound familiar? That’s right, the same 2,200 square-foot space Sushi on Spring was supposed to go before it was leased short-term back in January to artist Miguel Osuna as a work studio. In the end, whether we get a place to order sashimi, tandoori or Mexican oil paintings, this spot is destined for some ethnic flavor.

-Gill’s Indian Restaurant Secret Ingredient: Nitroglycerin
-Saffron India Restaurant Opening This Month
-Sushi on Spring Space Becomes Artist Studio

[Westsidelife]

image hosted on flickr


New Teahouse Progresses an Evolving Broadway

By Rich Alossi
May 14, 2008

As the southern end of the Broadway strip continues to morph into a diverse retail locale, the neighborhood’s most recent arrival hasn’t even opened its doors and it’s already causing a splash. SipTea, the neighborhood’s first teahouse, is heading for completion in mid- to late-June.

Eschewing the formal English teahouse, SipTea draws upon Zen principles (interior design features may meet LEED certification) — though owner Laura Stewart prefers the term “urban hip” for its wider appeal. Reflecting the laid-back lifestyles of her future clientèle, there will be no flowery teapots or formal hats available here.

Minty green walls and a curious modern bubble theme fill the small space that will one day be infused with the herbal aroma of brewing teas. Naturally, coffee will not be served; the smell can interfere with the whole tea experience.

A food menu has not been worked out yet, though sandwiches, salads and soups will be offered. Any of the large selection of teas can be ordered iced or hot, in a latte or ice-blended, and even as a tea soda.

As a true tea enthusiast, Stewart can’t get enough of the health benefits of drink — antioxidants and a less-aggressive dose of caffeine — which is why she’s driven to bring that to the Downtown masses. It’s these health benefits that will bring you in, but it’s the free WiFi she hopes will get you to stay.

SipTea
852 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213-622-8007
siptea.biz / Menu
Tues-Thurs: 11:00am - 8:00pm (open until 10:00pm on Art Walk nights)
Fri-Sat: 11:00am - 10:00pm
Opening Mid- to Late-June





image hosted on flickr

[future_trance011]

Yogurtland in Little Tokyo is becoming a big hit!


(photo courtesy of Chow.com)

This self-serve, 30 cents per ounce of Fro-Yo (frozen yogurt) chain just opened a store in Little Tokyo ( right next door to Quiznos) is certainly giving Pinkberry a run for it's money. The great thing about this place is there's a dozen flavors to chose from and all the toppings your gluttonous stomach could handle. Anything from cookies-n-cream to kahlua flavored yogurt. Just pure heaven in a plastic cup! While on my way to get my Fro-Yo fix yesterday, I spotted the Governator and his posse of secret-service type security men standing outside Starbucks. What was the Governator doing in Little Tokyo, anyway? I would've invited him to join me for a cup of Fro-Yo had his security not whisked him away in his bullet-proof, black-tinted SUV.

Little Tokyo
130 S. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, Ca. 90012
T: (213) 687-0733
Mon-Sun 11am-11pm

[xXFallenXx]

I love that tea house. I wise i lived in downtown L.A.

[milquetoast]

Downtown's Happy Days

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Friday, May 16, 2008, at 02:11PM

Johnny Rockets held a Grand Opening full of fanfare and fries this morning. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took some time to have a burger, fries and a chocolate shake before getting behind the counter to break in the grill. He may not be as fast as the more experienced burger masters of Johnny Rockets, but he didn't delay the ribbon cutting with Jan Perry, actress Marion Ross and other burger dignitaries.

It's the first Downtown location for the chain, but two more are in the works. Last week the Downtown News noted the chain's plans to open at 2nd and Central, as well as the AT&T Tower in South Park.

Opening day ceremonies will go on until 6pm, with music by 50s band Jonny Come Lately.

Johnny Rockets / 445 S. Figueroa / Second Level

[Westsidelife]

Kelly’s Coffee Aims for Soft Opening This Week

By Stephen Friday
May 20, 2008

Since all the rumors were true and Chapman finally “came out” as rental, Kelly can now get on with her life.

Kelly’s Coffee & Fudge — patiently sitting complete for many weeks as the The Chapman got itself sorted out — will be holding their long-anticipated entrance into the Downtown market in a few days.

Both the franchise owner and company president Mary Gerlick state doors will most likely open “softly” on Thursday or Friday, but just to be safe, don’t expect to get your fudge and frappe fix until Monday, May 26.

For all of you non-addicts, Kelly’s also offers a selection of sandwiches, salads, smoothies, teas and baked goods. Anticipated hours are 7:00am to 7:00pm daily.

Kelly’s Coffee & Fudge
850 S Broadway
(Inside The Chapman, fronting 9th Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90014
kellyscoffee.com

-The Chapman Signs New Jewelry Retailer
-Kelly’s Coffee & Fudge to Sweeten Broadway