american apparel relocating, other little tokyo retail news
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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.
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6 comments
I don’t like american apparel even though they are made in the USA. They are quite expensive ( maybe cause they are more expensive to make in the USA) and not really worth the price for “basics”, in my opinion.I do plan on giving Yogurtland a try, its self-serve. little tokyo is sure becoming “frozen treat” central.
Hmm, I’m puzzled that American Appareil is moving across the street. The new location doesn’t seem to be a dramatic improvement. The present location on the corner of Central & 2nd seems to offer more visibility. The ceilings appear to be higher in the present location. Given the rents in the Hikari, I’d have expected the rents to be higher. I’m not complaining, though.
What’s the deal with another frozen yogurt shop? How many does Little Tokyo have? Who cares? As you noted earlier this year, Little Tokyo retail activity is becoming increasingly vibrant.
When I was in NYC, a came across an American Apparel on Houston Street on the Lower East Side. Seemed like a great fit. If the one in Little Tokyo was going to move, I would have expected it to go closer to the Old Bank District instead of relocating to the brand new upscale Hikari.
I’m puzzled, too. The corner location seems like a better site, but oh well. Their t-shirts are a bit pricy, loveandhate, but I think you’re paying for the cut. I still haven’t found another t-shirt that fits so well.
Another fro yo place, but this one is worth checking out. I have been to other Yogurland locations and it was no joke. 16 flavors and countless topings all for 30cents an ounce. Plain tart tasted better than any other fro you places, at least for me.
To add to the confusion, I was told by the construction team on site that American Apparel was actually opening a second store in Hikari, and their website makes it seem that way also. I thought to myself, they can’t be THAT busy to warrant doubling their retail space in LT.
But when I spoke directly to American Apparel and the leasing reps at Hikari, they confirmed it was a move - which does make more sense to me from a pedestrian perspective. Apparently they think it will catch more 2nd street traffic, though I agree it seems like a minimal upgrade.
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