tender greens looking downtown, taking suggestions
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?
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44 comments
OMG- are you kidding me? ANYWHERE. I love this place. They have the freshest salads and the most kick-ass pot of coffee that can be brewed. You have made my day by telling me this is coming to downtown LA!! I think it should come to South Park, but only because I live there. :P
I second South Park!
me too…South Park!
maybe at the empty Packard Lofts space..or at the South Group buildings, or the Federal reserve lofts.
South Park makes sense. There’s a larger restaurant space in or next to the Gas Company Lofts on Flower b/t 8th and 9th that would be ideal.
^^yea I know that space with the purple neon lighthing on the storefront looks like somewhere in South Beach lol. That would be my 1st choice or if not then 7th Street to further solidy it as downtown’s “Restaurant Row”
In the Fine Arts Building or The Roosevelt.
The Roosevelt as it is the most central location and is walking distance for the financial district lunch crowd. Brockman could also be good.
Since I’m a Historic Core resident, I would recommend Broadway.
Broadway is severely lacking in serious sit-down dining options. The only options other than fast food are Clifton’s and Hoagies & Wings (barely above fast food, their quality makes it so).
So I’m recommending Broadway. If you want to do it around The Eastern Columbia and the Chapman, that would work too, and that’s not too far from South Park either. Around Main and Third would be good also, catching both Gilville and lunch traffic from the Civic Center.
Definitely South Park as I, too, live there…our district is such a newly developed area, options can still be limited at times unless you are willing to walk elsewhere. South Park continues to fill in and Tender Greens would be a welcomed addition! I wish I had more room for them at Met Lofts…:(
They can take over the Trifecta space, if not, anywhere on Broadway.
I am also a biased South Park resident. so I would like to see them there as well but I also think it is the area that is immediately ready for this kind of an establishment.
The Roosevelt and Brockman wouldn’t be able to accommodate them - retail is all leased. Fine Arts Building is a great choice though.
The Roosevelt retail is all leased? Sorry to go off-topic, but what is leased there? All I see is the Roosevelt sales center.
It would be nice to have it within view of the Central Library’s 5th Street or Flower Street entrances. Not a day goes by without patrons inquiring “Is there anywhere to eat in the neighborhood?”
Neel, I’m pretty sure the Roosevelt retail is mostly (if not all) leased. I could be wrong, but the larger restaurant space has been building out for a while (left of the lobby), I think La Salsa is returning and then a high-end liquor store on the east side of the building.
Again, maybe I’m mistaken, but that doesn’t leave room for a larger restaurant. Maybe the sales office space is still available and could work.
Funny that there actually are many restaurants in the area; they’re just hidden from view.
Chapman retail floor anyone?
Or the Desmond building? Anything going on there?
The Fine Arts building! The former McDonald’s space has been vacant too long. Now that Wokcano has finally opened up across the street, it would be nice to see a quality place like Tender Greens move-in.
I think they should move into the restaurant space at the bottom of Evo in South Park, or any other South Park space…but I live here so I’m biased. I think they should get rid of that “Nice” store on the corner of 11th and Hope and turn it into a restaurant. This would fit perfectly there. South Park would be good because this restaurant would grow with the neighborhood.
Southpark would be great for the residents who live there…
However, the place would be huge along the figueroa/financial corridor like at Wilshire. There is a spot diagnoal from fig at wilshire that is looking for a restaurant… The lunch crowd isn’t strong enough in the residential areas (ie southpark). I think salad places do the most business at lunch (when everyone is working), not dinner.
I echo James comment above- what shady business is going on at that “Nice” store at 11th and hope? that’s a prime restaurant location!
Really excited about the prospect of Tender Greens in downtown. That retail space in Packard Lofts would be perfect and has ample space for outdoor seating. I think Evo may be a little too far south to really cash in on the L.A. Live/pre-event crowds.
Ha! Are people really going to be like lets go to tender greens before the concert/game? Especially when you will have yard house, fleming’s, katsuya etc etc right on site!
there’s got to be a huge population of theatre/concert/sports goers who can’t get downtown in time for a fancy sit-down dinner. You can be in and out of teder greens in 45 mins. places like that could make a killing in that area.
I don’t know what rents are like for retail spaces in South Park. I would imagine LA Live and all the other facilities that are due in a few years are priced in already so rents would have to be pretty high. Perhaps, broadway or some area in the historic core near a concentration of residential units would make sense. It’s great to see stand up places like Tender Greens making a foray into the downtown scene.
I think we can settle this if Tender Greens opens 2 locations in downtown. :P
Eastern Columbia Broadway and 9th!!…………..that was the old jingle BTW when it was a dept. store. Give us greens!!
Sorry, no great input from me on where to put it (although the Trifecta space is definitely too big for Tender Greens, so I’ll have to say that’s a pretty clear no-go), but I would just like to add my enthusiasm re: the prospect of them coming to downtown! I love Tender Greens, and would go there more often had I not moved from Culver City to this side of town a few months back..
south park for sure. we’re already getting culver city’s staple bottle rock so tender greens would feel right at home.
One of downtown’s premier CADs (let’s call her Oleman Nessa) had this to say:
“Tender Greens needs an outdoor space…. Somewhere that is safe from homeless people though. Dining outside is part of their charm. And, it is a great casual evening spot! There has to be a place that is central to the Financial District (for the lunch peeps), the Historic Core, and South Park, right?”
Retail rents for South Park and Financial District aren’t very different. If anything slightly lower in Financial District. 717 Olympic was asking $60 for their restaurant space right?
Well, Bottle Rock isn’t going to open until 2016…
disagree with south park. i’m sure a huge part of their business plan is targeting the lunch crowd and it does not have the same density of office as the financial district. that being said, i know that 6th/grand corner space in milano lofts wants to dump carl’s jr. and bring in a more upscale eatery. not sure exactely when their lease is up, but its worth a look (although it would then pit them directely against loose leaf). there is a also a former jack-in-the-box space down from casey’s that might be a good fit. also, isnt there an empty space next to the soon-to-be cefiore (next to rite-aid) on 7th and flower?
I help manage the main merc bldg. 35 Live/Work Lofts. We have 21,000 sq. ft. of RETAIL SPACE. Its 2 levels/wrap around mezzaine. 620 S. Main St. A place like “Tender Green’s” would be SOOOO NICE to have on MAIN St. If anyone is intrested check us out! http://www.mainmerc.com , come by an open house to check out our lofts and / or the Retail Area.
how about next to the upcoming panini cafe on ninth street, facing the new ralphs market? that spot would provide for safe outdoor dining and there is a decent pedestrian presence.
Ideally on 7th street-“restaurant row” or anywhere in the financial district or historic core. Its closer to people, foot traffic, etc.
I think that the south park area is still too “light” people wise working n living in the area to support tender greens.
I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of Maria’s Italian Kitchen to the financial district at the foot of the 811 Wilshire bldg.
If tranquility base doesn’t get a clue from their name and turn down the lights to get more tranquil - that space may soon be available. It also has ample outdoor seating.
I remember about 6 months ago giving the owner and his family a private tour of the historic core. They really seemed to fall in love with downtown, and I guess this is proof. I’d like to see them open on either Broadway of Seventh.
i absolutely adore Tender Greens and i agree, anywhere they set up shop i’ll hoof my way over regularly. at the risk of poaching Ralph’s growing lunchtime crowd, i agree it would be perfectly situated in the area, but between South Park and the Financial District. the South Group buildings are a little far for many people to walk during lunch.
the space in the Gas Co Lofts would be brilliant [because that’s where i live], but if i’m being honest, the lack of a patio space would be a bit of a downer. i love sitting outside at their place in Culver City. but this being downtown, outdoor seating may be a pipe dream anyhow.
whatever the case, bring it and bring it SOON! the tuna sandwich is second-to-none!
I know that LA Live will have a dozen or so restaurants on their own, but with the several new hotels opening, LA Live/Nokia/Staples/Grammy Museum/Convention Center traffic PLUS the 1,500 Herbal Life/ESPN employees moving in South Park wouldn’t be a bad idea. Especially if it’s somewhere on Figueroa between Olympic and 7th.
I know this is offtopic but, how do you know all the names of the buildings? I’m new here, this is a great website for someone just coming to downtown la, is there a map where i can learn about all the areas names/nicknames and can see building names? thx much.
you-are-here has an interactive map of downtown that gives names for most of the buildings.
Wow! Just the response I was hoping for. Based on the support and suggestions by everyone it looks as though we should be coming to downtown soon. I have your comments with our broker and will use them in our search for the best location. Thank you!
Any updates on this one? I loves me some salad.
Ira: I spoke with the TG people recently and they’re still looking. They were close to signing in the Financial District but that fell through. I’ll look into it for you, though!
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