vons grocery looking to test new ‘market’ concept in downtown
[Post updated to reflect the status of the project.] After rolling out their latest store concept in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore neighborhood, those behind Safeway/Vons’ newest concept, “The Market by Vons,” have expressed interest in heading to Downtown LA, according to sources familiar with the project. The official site and opening date have not yet been released.
The Market is a small-format grocery store — about 15,000 square feet — being tested in urban neighborhoods in Southern California.
Though it’s unofficially held up as “a mini-Whole Foods,” marketing materials proclaiming “A refreshingly simple way to shop” leave no doubt as to who its competitors are.
The Orange County Register states in a recent write-up that The Market has a warm, homey feel, relying heavily on fresh produce and prepared foods. Expect aisles that are narrower than the standard supermarket, and smaller selections of condiments and toiletries.
In related news, Ralphs Fresh Fare, Downtown’s first full-service supermarket in decades, opened its doors a year ago this week. It’s good to have choices.
-Photos of The Market in Long Beach (OC Register)
Do you think Downtown is a good fit for this concept? Let us know in the comments.
88 comments
7th and Hope please…
I would love to see this happen, and soon.
i’d love another South Park location !…how about the Desmond’s building on 11th & Hope.
Great news but still waiting on Trader Joes and Whole Foods to take the plunge. I read Ralphs Fresh Fare is generating twice the projected weekly revenue since opening. I love Ralphs but we definitely need more options! Silverlake and Park La Brea Adjacent (that just sounds funny to me) is too far to commute. One major complaint about Ralphs is I dont get why they went with florescent lighting — I thought they would replicate their Westwood UCLA location. I’m a sucker for good lighting — the recently rennovated Vons at Sunset & Virgil is what we need.
ndevelopment: Whole Foods is signed for the LA Central development. That’s still years away from completion, though.
Gotta love the business world. I’m sure other grocery chains were waiting on the side when Ralph’s took the plunge into downtown. Once Ralph’s exceeds expectations, they all want in now. I have to give big props to Ralph’s for having the vision.
Cool. Don’t be surprised if you go into this place and you hear on the intercom, “Spill on isle 7. There’s is a young yuppie scum spilled on isle 7.” LOL
This would be better at 4th & Main in the Medallion. No reason to put all the grocery stores in the same place.
The Office Depot site in Little Tokyo is a thought for this Vons.
As a general observation, Trader Joe’s nearly always locate directly adjacent or in immediate proximity to a larger grocer.
I clicked on the link to the photos from the Long Beach location. What’s laughable is the “buy this photo” option on their website. Now why would I want a picture of someone buying cheese? Hilarious! The store layout reminds me of Bristol Farms but without the rustic country feel. And I agree that variety and competition is good for Downtown. Can’t wait for Bottega Louie to come online too.
Oh nice, just checked out the link to Fresh and Easy. It looks awesome and the prices seem OK. I’ve been wondering about this new chain as I’ve seen a couple of them in the works (Van Nuys and Agoura Hills).
Ira – I usually shop at Fresh ‘n Easy (even though I’m across the street from Ralphs!). The Fresh ‘n Easy prices are so reasonable, saves me a good $20 – $30 compared to what I have to buy at Ralphs. No joke. The closest one is Eagle Rock. But, yes, I do hope they enter the downtown market.
LAofAnaheim, whenever I go to my parents house, who live in a somewhat more “ghetto-ish” area, I always stop at the local food4less before making my way home. You got to love a supermarket where for 300 bucks you can buy the whole store.
Funny, I recently looked into Food4Less as an alternative to Ralphs only to find out they are both owned by the same parent company, Krogers. That led me to wonder if Food4Less is really less expensive. I believe their nearest location to DT is in MacArthur Park.
oh yeah, supermarkets vastly take part in price discrimination depending on location. when I used to live in Orange County I used to go to a market in Santa Ana called “Crawford’s Mercado” because everything was so damn cheap.
Ira: Just so there’s no confusion, Fresh & Easy is owned by Tesco, while “The Market by Vons” is a Safeway company. Two separate entities. I hope I didn’t cause any confusion.
And by the way, I was tempted to buy one of their photos to use with this post! I can’t find press materials on “The Market” anywhere.
“The Market” by Vons?! unbelievable. Please Trader Joes come save us downtowners from the douchebag marketing schemes of other big box grocers to follow.
metro 417 has enough space for a project like this, i think. i know at one point (years ago) they were looking to attract something like gelson’s to that space.
Hey greedy South Parkers, let’s have some love in the Historic Core! How about the Barry Shy building at 7th and Spring, or northeast corner of 6th and Spring. They both have large first floor spaces. I guess CSI New York couldn’t shoot there anymore though.
LaofAnaheim:
You REALLY want to save money at the exclusion of all else, do what I do: shop at the 99 Cents store. Four full bags of groceries for 20 bucks.
And I don’t think I’m buying Made in China dross (though you can if you want to) I stick to name brands, and they do have them. Stouffers frozen food, Smuckers jam, Sara Lee bread, name brand candy bars, Pepsodent toothpaste. It’s hit and miss but you do get quality products most of the time. I do buy no-name mouthwash and toilet paper there, but who cares? It’s toilet paper. Best of all, you’re insulated from inflation, because the prices never change.
Oops, I meant SOUTHEAST corner of Sixth and Spring, the building built around 1960.
They’re following Fresh & Easy’s lead. Smaller, meaner, more efficient groceries is what we need. And better produce! (one thing I hate about Trader Joe’s)
I love the idea of having more grocery shopping options down here! The Ralph’s is wonderful but some variety would be nice…maybe towards the Arts District or Little Tokyo???
For a current alternative to Ralph’s, try Liborio on 3rd and Bonnie Brae, just east of Alvarado. Amazing produce department with prices that put Trader Joe’s to shame. Bakery and butcher counter are great too. And it’s an easy ride on the bus, and the supermarket offers a free shuttle so you can get your groceries home.
Thanks for the Liborio recommendation, Li! Looks like they’ve got a few locations in the Downtown area: http://www.liborio.com/html/html/california.html
The corner of 7th and Spring is perfect. The Van Nuys building has two huge spaces that would excellent for a market.
The name “The Market by Vons” is a terrible name. It makes it sound like you are talking about another store located near a Vons store, like, “Where’d you buy those tomatoes?” “Oh, I bought them at the market by Vons”
7th and Hope. Seriously…there is no better location.
My argument against 7th and Hope is that there’s already going to be a small market at Bottega Louie at 7th and Grand. Plus it’s near Ralphs.
While South Park may be up-and-coming, it doesn’t have the residential density to warrant Ralphs and nearby Bottega Louie and “The Market by Vons.”
Plus the Financial District doesn’t have that residential density either to sustain the markets on the weekends and in the evenings.
Though I do like the Van Nuys Building idea.
What about the Popular Center at 4th and Spring?
Love all the comments – a few thoughts that stem from them …
There seems to be a lot of people really wanting a Trader Joes or a Whole Foods. Are they popular out here? Back in Chicago there were a few of them scattered about and they did decent enough traffic, but not nearly as much as Dominick’s or Jewel (chain stores). As a matter of fact, the Whole Foods in downtown Chicago was recently closed for the second time in a year after failing a health inspection.
My wife and I checked out Food 4 Less a while back and things didn’t seem to be that much cheaper on the whole. Perhaps for select items but it didn’t seem worth it to go out of my way to shop there.
Brian: Yes, people love Trader Joe’s (it started here, after all). I’m not the biggest fan and also don’t like their continued shunning of Downtown, but it’s definitely one of the most beloved stores in LA.
Check out Whole Foods on Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena. They just did opened their mega-build-out … beautiful store. I didn’t think it would get enough business to warrant underground parking and two levels of shopping, but I went the other day and wow. Packed!
You can actually reach both the original Trader Joe’s store and the newest Whole Foods by taking the Gold Line to Fillmore Station.
I love the idea suggested by “guest” of putting this (or a Trader Joes for that matter =) in the the Desmond building on 11th & Hope in South Park. Its a great location adjacent to 4 already completed condo towers and many more coming when the real estate market turns around – which hopefully will be in about a year from now. There is also the boarded up brick building on the South Group block just south of LUMA on Hope that was supposed to be demolished for a park but looks like that is not going to happen. Besides – I think it is a very cool looking building and worth saving as is.
Speaking of Hope Street – between 11th and Pico – I think it is perfect for becoming something like Melrose with all its small scale storefronts – which are mostly closed and boarded up – and its beautiful trees lining both sides. The side walks are in bad shape due to the tree roots but that can fixed – like they are doing around Figueroa Courtyard (3rd & Fig). I can see a very pedestrian friendly environment being created there with ease to include little boutique shops and restaurants/bars similar to Melrose. I know everyone is focsed on Bringing Back Broadway – which is great and something I’m looking forward to – but this streach of Hope has just as much character and there are no existing tenants to vacate. Broadway may take 5-10 years where as Hope can start happening tomorrow.
This store needs to be in the historic core. There’s a large concentration of residents there already and it only makes sense that basic amenities such as grocery stores be spread around the entire downtown landscape – not just South Park. I think the Van Nuys building is a great idea – there’s no lack of good potential retail space for this in the historic core.
I think this new market should go in the Historic Core, somewhere along Spring Street. The Historic Core is probably the most dense area with full time residents and they don’t have very many options for groceries. I think Spring Street would be ideal since it’s sandwiched by Broadway and Main so that would be easier access to everyone in the Historic Core. Someone mentioned 6th/Spring and I think that’s a perfect mid-point equidistant to so many residents in the Historic Core.
I would love this to be in the Historic Core as well, but what about parking? I do already walk to Ralphs, but for large loads I bring my car. It would be silly for other people that need a car to handle groceries to have to push their shopping carts into a pay lot across the street. Do any of these suggested buildings have directly adjacent open lots so that they can install sliding glass doors for the people that park?
kelly…how about buying a rolling cart, where you can put your bags of groceries and just walking. How much more parking (auto-oriented) demand do we still need in downtown? There’s more parking garages/lots here than anywhere else in the world. No wonder things don’t get built, ask how much these developers have to pay to build a parking garage and they’ll tell you how expensive it is.
Scott Mercer- I didn’t even know we had a 99 cent store downtown! Will def have to check that out. Coincidentally I’m working on an article about Big Lots. They have great deals too. I have learned to never pay full price again.
actually, rich’s suggestion of the banco popular building is pretty inspired, because of the adjacent parking lot.
what about the grand central market? don’t they have a 10,000 sqft space they’ve been trying to land a grocery store tenant for?
LAofAnaheim, I understand the cart idea. I am saying for the people who do not live close enough downtown to push a cart. Ralphs is doing so well because they also offer parking for people who live further west, east, north, south, but need to have a car.
*especially with something like a grocery store where it’s standard practice to use one of the grocery store carts and push it to the parking lot, to your trunk. The Vons cannot exclusively serve us who are lucky enough to get there by foot!
I also have a problem with the emphasis on parking. If we are going to only consider suburban shopping options, why live downtown?
Even a 10,000 – 15,000 sq feet store is probably too large. We need more, smaller, pedestrian scaled options, not the big box shopping model.
I agree with Kelly. Unless you live within a few blocks of the grocery store you will need to drive. Desmonds has a couple of big lots next to it, but Historic Core is pretty cramped. I also agree Historic Core needs a new grocery store more than South Park so they’ll need to find a solution to the parking issue. How about grocery delivery? NYC does that quite successfully with FreshDirect (I think that’s the name.)
Most comments ever?
McGee: Close, but not quite yet =)
It’s not an emphasis on parking, but you have to make considerations for those people who will drive out of their way to shop at a grocery store. Ralphs is only successful right now because of the fantastic mix of drivers and those who walk on foot. I drive out of my way to go to TJ’s, and if you have a family of kids, taking a train somewhere to do a load of groceries for a whole family is not the best option, especially if your children are young and cannot help out with carrying bags or pushing carts.
kelly, I agree with you. In order to run a successful grocery type business that could even come close to competing with Ralphs, you would need to have onsite (or close to it) parking. There are a few little markets within walking distance of historic core like Old Bank. However, I am never going get everything I need there and even if I did, it would cost far to much.
LAofAnaheim, you suggest buying a rolling cart as we are too “auto-oriented” however you state just above that you go to Eagle Rock. Surely you drive there? So too do people drive into downtown for a quality grocery store.
I also have to agree with Kelly. With downtown rents and condo as expensive as they are not all potential customers of a place like would live downtown. Vons would be foolish to not offer parking and I think downtown in general needs to be car friendly to attract people who don’t live within walking distance.
Have they already selected a location for this place or are they still deciding on a spot?
We are all getting caught up with this discussion…for all we know, they already have a spot in mind.
The best thing about NY is that you never have to drive for anything. There are little grocery/convinience stores on almost every block. You really don’t need “large” grocery stores in an urban environment. Suburbs need those big stores because everyone drives there once a week and buys in bulk – so the store – and the buyers – have to store more. If you have a small store within a short walk – you can make multiple trips per week or even per day and buy fresh food to consume within a short period without having to refrigerate everything – and dont need a car or cart to carry it back to your place. A few stratigically placed larger grocery stores can serve the need when you need something specific or special that the store on your “block” doesnt carry – then you dont mind driving there occassionally if you have to. Since South Park already has Ralphs – I support the Historic Core for the next “relatively big” grocery store.
I didn’t know people were so interested in grocery stores in Los Angeles
DTLA- I used to live in NY and I totally know what you mean about the convenience of having a small local grocery store. However, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are making a killing in NY city. People go nuts for that over there, and even though NYers may need to truck all their stuff home in a taxi they do it with a smile. It is totally amazing. My friend on the upper westside never goes to her local grocer because she claims their milk is always expired and the prices are high. Instead she rents a car to go shopping at Trader Joe’s in Scarsdale, which is 18 miles away! I find it very amusing.
Seb: It’s not just LA, it’s Downtown specifically. You’re now seeing the supply coming in because of the pent-up demand.
By the way, there were huge lines of people when Trader Joe’s opened their first store in Manhattan.
And this is now officially the most-commented post.
Yes, I drive to Fresh ‘n Easy and I accept it as it is. It’s a suburb, and that’s what I expect. If Fresh ‘n Easy was within downtown, I wouldn’t be driving. Possibly take DASH or a cab. Remember, I shop at Fresh ‘n Easy b/c of the $ savings from Ralphs. It’s just beyond ridiculous the prices we are charged at Ralphs.
I think that’s something I’m sensing from everybody here. The cost and the lack of other reasonable options. This is a great discussion!
Just being selfish here and I’m sure I’m in the minority:
I live in Historic Core, near 6th/Spring where some above have suggested they put the market.
*small voice* I don’t want a Vons grocery anywhere near here, because I don’t want to pay even more in rent.
Look, I already know my rent is going up when my lease is up soon…..good God almightly only knows how much more they would’ve jacked it up had there been a Vons right across the street.
Rich: this is probably the most commented post because of the pent-up demand!
I am sure everyone would agree that Ralphs does cost far more than it should. While the store is nice and their cheese selection is wonderful, we’re not all living in million dollar lofts and have cash to toss around.
However, that is not to say there are not other reasonable options. Mitsuwa in Little Tokyo is one of the best markets I have been to AND they have everything at a reasonable rate. Its walkable for if you bring your roll cart and it has ample free parking for those inclined to drive.
We all knew that our options were limited when we moved here. For us who were here before Ralphs and even before many of the little markets, we HAD to drive or go to Little Tokyo or Chinatown. Don’t forget that these neighborhoods have been her far longer than we have and already have an infrastructure of markets and shops.
LA Lola: excellent point! I second that!
Grocery stores need loading docks to accept deliveries from their distribution chain.
The Van Nuys building is ill suited as are the Shy buildings for anything resembling a Vons from a logistical point of view.
The Medallion site would be good because it would be in the Historic Core but very close to Little Tokyo as well (the two areas of Downtown with large residential presence).
I still put money on the Office Depot site as it would be such an easy conversion to a grocery store.
I am going to have to disagree with the South Park location, you already have a Ralphs there! What more do you need?? I think the historic core would be a better place. Or better yet the Fashion District. How about the ground floor of Santee Village, at 7th and Los Angeles. The two buildings (cornell and eckhardt) that face Los Angeles Street have empty ground floor retail and they could be all connected together. There are several parking lots around the area. This is an entirely selfish recommendation because I would be living right above it….
Trader Joes is an exception and getting ready for their 2nd location in NY on 72nd & Broadway (directly accross from the 72nd Street Subway Station). And yes – I agree that we should have a centerally located TJ or Whole Foods (LA Central?) in downtown LA with underground parking (no more surface lots please!) that everyone can drive to once a week if need be. But I firmly believe – as does Ira Lu it seems – that the only way to truely enjoy the urban experience is not having to drive or buy in bulk. That can only be achieved via smaller scale grocery/convenience stores within short walking distance. I will gladly pay a slightly higher price in exchange for the convinience and experience of walking.
Does anyone know how the 7 eleven on 7th & Grand is doing ?
“I still put money on the Office Depot site as it would be such an easy conversion to a grocery store.”
IINM, if the underground route is chosen for the downtown regional light rail connector there’s a good chance that it will surface at that Office Depot. Assuming that the sales tax increase passes it could be gone in 5 years.
I like the idea of the Medallion site — unfortunately, I think that timeline is a bit “out there” as far as site selection goes. Most of the foundation on the Medallion project hasn’t even been laid.
Office Depot is another good suggestion, but there’s the Gold Line issue as well as the three markets in proximity of each other (Nijiya, Marukai, Mitsuwa).
I do like the Santee Village suggestion, but the residential density isn’t there yet – and the lack of market-rate housing to the east may put off Vons location scouts.
This is all just speculation though.
i hate to burst everyone’s bubble BUT i just received confirmation from Daymond Rice (Public Affaris/ Gov’t Relations for Vons- Safeway) that The Vons Companies Inc. does NOT have any plans to open a second location in downtown or anywhere else for that matter…SORRY FOLKS!
Vanessa: What I’ve got is that locations are being scouted for “The Market.” I do know that The Market is a separate entity with separate marketing and operations.
Vanessa, nice try, but:
I’m seconding Rich’s statement. We have a very reliable source (in fact, top tier resource) that tells us they are scouting the Downtown market. They do not have a location chosen, but they are active here.
What I’ve learned is PR statements and reality don’t always jive. One recent example I can think of is Maestro’s steakhouse from Beverly Hills was considering moving into 717 Olympic’s retail space – a fact I can confirm from several separate inside sources – though the PR rep would never admit it.
I’m not surprised by this.
Vons is planning a FIRST location in downtown LA? What is all this bedeviled madness?
Rich: I don’t know anything about who or how the operations are handled, but one thing is certain, all marketing campaigns are approved by the Vons Companies Inc. , VP of Marketing and her media buyer…I do business with them directly, they oversee the marketing plans for the Long Beach shop.
Stephen: I understand that PR reps cannot make comments on “uncut deals” which perhaps is the reason why they so often “deny, deny, deny”… I wish you guys could listen to the message left on my voice mail from a VERY UPSET PR REP @ Vons.
Well I hope there’s truth behind the story…We’ll see.
Have a great weekend!
I’ve updated the wording of the post to clarify what was meant. I’m still confident about the accuracy of the post.
Thanks for your diligence, Vanessa!
Look bottom line is “Vons” has expressed interest in Downtown LA and that in of itself is a good and positive thing.
I’m sure the success of Ralphs had something to do with it.
But it will probably take some time even one year or more in my opinion before anything materializes.
We are in an economic downturn right now, but people do have to eat regardless.
I do agree that the right amount of lighting is important, no more harsh flourescant lighting, the right amount of low light encourages more shopping.
We got a new and remodeled Albertons (45-60,000 sq ft) and has a starbucks kiosk too in Montebello and its right next door to a very large 99 cent only store, i think its even bigger than the one on Sunset Blvd in Silver Lake.
Plus we also have a regular Vons (30-45,000 sq ft) store also remodeled in another part of Montebello.
So bottom line when it comes to grocery stores if you build them they will come.
another choice: how about that space on Broadway/8th, the Broadway Trade Center, 1 block north of Eastern Columbia. I think they have large floorplates enough for both a market and possible another big box retail like Target, Best buy, etc. I wish TJ would stop slacking off and jump into the downtown market soon!!.
The chance of the regional connector makes that site all the more attractive. If eminent domain is used, the company makes out. If that route is chosen and that parcel engineered around with a stop nearby, the site becomes platinum. Think Vons has the lobbying power to influence some public works engineering? Hmm…
Maybe this post is done but I’m always curious how it seems people don’t consider shopping for their groceries at Grand Central Market. I’ve been buying my fruit, vegetables and dried goods (beans, rice, nuts) there for 3 years now.
Any reason for this apparent omission of a great source, both in quality and price, for groceries?
I’ve touted the Grand Central Market for years now, as well as the three smaller markets in Little Tokyo and Food 4 Less in Westlake. I love how I can get six pounds of bananas for a dollar at GCM, and they’re not green (I hate unripened bananas).
There is Red Line accessible Fresh & Easy next to Hollywood and Highland @ Hollywood & Sycamore 7021 Hollywood Blvd. One of the great things about the Red Line/Purple Line is that for the walker/rider it it makes neighborhoods like Koreatown and Hollywood just as close for the walker as say South Park is to Little Tokyo or Chinatown. Its a cool little store with great deals that progress throughout the day. Give it a try.
Ben, I think that the HOWS market near the NOHO Red Line and the Ralphs near Hollywood and Western are good models for what you are talking about on the Office Depot site.
I got food poisoning at the Grand Central Market three years ago and have been off it ever since. I’m not a fan of their produce or butchers, either. The stuff just doesn’t look fresh to me.
I tried Grand Central Market for my fruits and vegetables also, but the stuff is too ripe. Nothing beats the time I went and I picked up a bunch of bananas and one of the bananas fell out of it’s peel onto the floor. The produce guy made me buy the rest of the bananas.
The person building the retail-apartment complex surrounded by Third, Fourth, Main and Los Angeles Streets has been reported as planning to include a market at the corner of Third and Main. However, this is going to be in his project’s second phase, and since he’s had trouble going forward with the first one, who knows how and when (or if) he’ll be able complete filling up the entire block as intended.
But if he’s both smart and lucky, he’ll somehow get Trader Joe’s to open a branch at that corner site. That’s because some of the niche locations in downtown, closer to its iffier parts (pictured by many people as having a lot issues with homeless people, beggars, various unpleasant smells, and issues with Skid Row in general), will have a tougher time attracting customers from far and wide. Or the sort of people who are more likely to quickly and casually drop by a business if it’s situated farther west in downtown.
That’s why a smaller version of Von’s, certainly if it’s a new, untested concept that carries mainly the typical name-brand products available at any supermarket, may not go over as well at a location like Third and Main compared with a store like Trader Joe’s. A larger number of people probably will make more of an effort, and put aside their qualms, to visit that type of grocer, even if it’s in the edgier part of downtown, compared with their response to other markets in the exact same spot.
I didn’t realize 4th and Main was that edgy anymore. It still stuns me when I see groups of girls walking around in flip-flops and flowery dresses… at 6th and Los Angeles.
South Park already has Ralphs! We need something in the Old Bank/Historic District!
You see girls wandering in the daytime, but as soon as the sun goes down, almost all parts of downtown do indeed become edgy. My girlfriend is no shrinking violet — having lived all over nyc, and traveled alone through Europe — but does not feel comfortable walking alone at night to the 7th street Metro station from my place in the fashion district at night.
This is obviously a hot topic among the residents of Downtown. I hope someone can relay these messages to the developers/investors.
Going back quite a ways in the comments…reagrding parking: the Spring Tower at S.E. corner of Sixth and Spring has its own multilevel basement parking. I’m sure some of that will be reserved for building residents, but if a market goes in there, it’s going to need SOME of the parking spaces.
For now, I use Spring Street Market for some of my grocery needs (in the Hayward Hotel), that reminds me the most of a New York City bodega.
Grand Central Market is hit and miss. Very cheap, but quality can be very bad. You must look closely at what you’re buying, and cosume your produce quickly. Only three or four produce stands left in the whole place.
Yes, we do have a 99 Cent Store, but its at Alvarado & Westlake. Not exactly a calm location, more like the ninth circle of hell, but it is directly adjacent to the red line subway stop and the 720 Rapid bus stop. If I feel really ambitious I will go up to the 99 in Hollywood (Sunset and Kingsley) because that one is much bigger and usually has more mechandise.
Many people walking around Saturday night at midnight around 4th and Main and up toward 2nd and Main. Groups of girls, girls and guys, people walking dogs. At midnight! It was pretty cool. Things are definitely changing.
Define many.
Would you let your partner walk to a Metro station, or catch a bus in the middle late evening in downtown Los Angeles?
Until EVERYONE can answer yes to that question, downtown will remain just a collection of beautiful old buildings, from which the rich can look out over the homeless, the insane, and the drug addicts from the comfort of their lofts.
Damm! over 80 comments!
We (downtown residents) totally need another choice bedsides Ralph’s! But a parking/loading area is hard to find. I def. agree that it should be near Spring or Main in the Historic Core / Old Bank District. So many people could just WALK or RIDE their Bikes. Hopefully another (preferably organic) market will open Up Soon….
Has anyone looked into starting a Co-op like the one in Santa Monica?
Also, just wanted to comment on those that do not feel safe: I don’t want to come off as promoting violence, as we all know Anything (bad) can happen Anywhere, I walk around downtown anywhere between 1st and 9th sometimes it’s late after 9 PM; There are options out there for means of protection if you choose to carry one….for example: a Stun Gun, a Tazer, Pepper spray, Mace, etc. & Keep LAPD and Purple Shirt phone #’s on Speed Dial. Just a few suggestions…
Guest:
Downtown is extremely crime free compared to other areas of Los Angeles. This information is open source via the crime maps and statistics on lapdonline.org
What, in my opinion, keeps many people off mass transit is its perception as declasse among Angelenos. There is a similar opinion about the Downtown and misperceptions of its safety that are not rooted in reality of reported crime statistics.
Perhaps it is the inevitable consequence of decade upon decade of antiseptic Bubble World — people whose interaction with other people is limited to their house bubble, car bubble and work bubble…
Have any of you ever shopped at the CASH & CARRY on North Spring Street? I think there are two or three of them within walking distance of each other.
A cross between Grand Central Market and Costco, Asian version???
(Located on 1700 block of North Spring St.)
Everything from condiments to woks to fresh produce
Happy shopping!
I like the Food Co-Op Idea… has anyone looked into that? maybe there should be an article about that?