Stand tall and salute, bub. And don't forget to straighten the American flag pin on your lapel. What are you, some sort of communist? This my friends is the Americana at Brand and it demands your patriotism. A reader emails in this stunning (is it rendering or reality?!?!) picture straight from the mind of Rick Caruso. Things are being tidied up, but otherwise things look ready to go on May 2nd. Line for the overpriced sushi at Katsuya starts now.
· Americana At Brand, Part II: Weekend Construction [Curbed LA]
· Americana At Brand, Part I: New Thing Arrives In Glendale! [Curbed LA]
The LA Business Journal shines a spotlight on Westwood Village and the ongoing construction that may one day transform the area back into someplace special. However, we have our doubts as much of the hopes are being pinned on the Casden Properties' Palazzo project. That can't be good.
Westwood boosters and critics alike say that a lack of accessible public parking deters shoppers and the addition of hundreds of residents living at the Palazzo project could infuse the moribund retail community with new life.
Other projects, including the one-story retail building proposed for the former site of the Mann National and a secret boutique hotel project proposed for 10844-10852 Lindbrook, are making residents hopeful that the area can be transformed back into a retail mecca.
· Westwood Heads in New Direction [LABJ]
Lordy, developer Rick Caruso doesn't fart without putting out a press release. In anticipation of the May 2nd opening of the Americana at Brand, Team Caruso excitedly notes in its latest release that "[the] Americana at Brand is expected to be the hottest destination in Southern California this year." The release also notes that while the economy may be terrible, things are looking up in Carusoville. In a possible moment of heresy, the release also states that Americana is expected to surpass The Grove's annual 18 million visitors each year. [Business Wire]
The latest news isn't good for fans of Tesco's Fresh & Easy. As announced on the Fresh & Easy blog, and pickedupeverywhere, expansion has stopped for at least the next three months. The F&E blog explained it away as just a breather, which sort of makes sense. Via Chief Marketing Officer Simon Uwins: "So we've given ourselves a little bit of time to kick the tires, smooth out any wrinkles, and make some improvements that customers have asked for." Locally, this means delays in the opening of stores in Fountain Valley, Westminster, Fullerton and Orange. Also, no word on the Manhattan Beach store which as of last check was deep into construction. Most of the experts on the Retail Wire discussion boards seem to agree that the stop and reassessment was long overdue.
Mass confusion in the Curbed offices. Yesterday, we reported, in response to a Rumblings & Bumblings question, that Ace Gallery was moving into the old La Brea car dealership building. We even called to verify! But today a gent emails in to refute that claim, stating Trader Joe's may actually be the new tenant.
The dealership under renovation has been leased by Trader Joes. They will move the store two blocks down from their store at La Brea and 3rd.
LAKEWOOD - As Macy's closes shop at the Lakewood Mall, a new retailer has stepped up to fill the void. A reader alerts us to the news: "Why hasn't anyone blogged about COSTCO coming to Lakewood's LakeHOOD MALL... Construction already began. The old macy*s building is naked (I'll try to snap a picture). Seriously? COSTCO at a Shopping mall?!?!?!?!?!?" Yes, tis true! Via the Press-Telegram: "It is a new kind of conundrum for Costco, which recently began fitting its big box stores like puzzle pieces into the empty spaces of shopping centers. Over the years, shopping centers nationwide have been filling the vacancies created by the consolidation of department stores with entertainment and other nontraditional uses." [Curbed Inbox/PT]
GLENDALE - Fresh & Easy is expanding, with a new Glendale store in the works. Curbed reader Carter emails in: "...in addition to the Americana on Brand project, would you believe you are also in luck to be getting a new Fresh & Easy at Chevy Chase and Colorado, so you can avoid the congestion at Brand and Colorado!!!" Alcohol license in the works. [Curbed Inbox]
The British press are gleefully reporting about the failure of Tesco's Fresh & Easy to woo fickle Angelenos to their new stores. The Guardian goes to Glassell Park to interview locals about their new neighborhood grocery store and asks "What do you think?" a la The Onion.
"I can't see why anyone would want to go there. It's just so depressing and they don't sell the stuff I like," said Roberto Fernandez, 43, a driving instructor.
Medical worker Rosie Smerch, 60, said it has competition from trucks that go round selling vegetables, cola and cigarettes. "The store is so dreary and the self-operated checkout machines are a problem, especially for customers who can't speak English very well."
PASADENA - Handbag and accessories designer Kate Spade is planning a nationwide expansion and is opening a few more stores in our neck of the woods. Currently, the only freestanding Kate Spade store is in Newport Beach, but seems to be opening soon in Pasadena and Glendale (at the Americana at Brand, natch). The company plans to open 24 more stores this year, so perhaps the west side will get a few too?
BEVERLYGROVE - Blackburn & Sweetzer reports that the expected opening of boutique Known LA on 3rd Street didn't happen the first week of March, but there is some progress. Signage is up. Now if only they had, like, stuff in the store to, like, sell, then we'd be in business. [Image of Known via B & S]
WEST HOLLYWOOD - Musician, vegan, and tea enthusiast Moby has purchased a home on the Sunset Strip for $3 million with Alice & Olivia clothing designer Stacey Bendet. The two plan to turn the mansion's guesthouse and garage into a recording studio and use the house as a "style salon" for celebrities. [AHN]
HOLLYWOOD - Curbed's supermarket of choice, the Mayfair Market, has been undergoing a dramatic change on the inside. The crusty interior has been spiffed-up over the last few months, almost to the point of making us forget about the high prices. Friday, we were informed by our check-out lady that the Mayfair would soon make the full switch to Gelson's. Yes, the signage is coming down people. We were told the change of signs to Gelson's would take place in about a month. RIP Mayfair Market. Trivia: Did you know the Mayfair in its 1970's incarnation can be seen in an old Brady Bunch episode? [Curbed Staff]
WEST HOLLYWOOD - A reader writes in with an update on the Pavilions Supermarket on Santa Monica Blvd. "They will close the store in the middle of the year. Originally they were going to build a temporary store and keep it going but now that plan has been modified so that only the pharmacy and health items will be sold in a temporary area in the parking lot during the estimated nine month rebuilding of the store... The new store will face SM Blvd with rooftop parking." [Curbed InBox]
[Steven Alan store, now open on Robertson via Refinery29]
LONG BEACH - The Famima train has derailed in Long Beach. A reader reports on the shuttering of two of the once unstoppable mini-marts. "Not sure if you knew but two locations in LB from the Famima chain closed last week -one on 2nd street, one on Los Coyotes. It was a little too early for LB to embrace such coolness. LB just didn't get it. 5 years from now it will come back and work (like Chipolte did)." [Curbed Inbox]
WEST HOLLYWOOD - Via Refinery29 and Blackburn & Sweetzer, clothing retailer Steven Alan has opened shop on Robertson Blvd. "He describes his own in-house label as "disheveled perfection," a look that seems right at home in his new more relaxed digs." It's the first Steven Alan store outside of New York. [Refinery29]
WEST HOLLYWOOD - Today, we learned that Badgley Mischka isn't an actor on the CW. WWD.com reports that B-M, the dynamic duo of women's fashion, has just opened a new 1,300 sq. ft. boutique at 8667 Sunset Blvd in Sunset Plaza. "It has a gallery feel that suits the brand, featuring 25-foot ceilings, antique wood floors, bright lighting and white walls along with brushed metal racks and display cases." [WWD.com]
HOLLYWOOD - Another pop-up storefront, um, pops up. The Storefront for Art and Architecture, a New York-based gallery is launching a series of temporary storefronts in 11 cities around the world. First up is LA, with an exhibition opening April 11th in the disused press room of Paperchase Printing at 7176 Sunset Blvd. The exhibit, CCCP-Cosmic Communist Constructions Photographed, is being sponsored by American Apparel. Because when we think "Communist" the first thing that pops into our mind is T-shirts, too.
VENICE - So much for Whole Foods environmentally-friendly street cred. A reader points us to news that the upcoming Whole Foods on Lincoln and Rose has removed fourteen trees to "re-landscape" the parking lot. As BrooWaha points out, this seems to conflict with Whole Food's mission statement of "active environmental stewardship so that the earth continues to flourish for generations to come." Image courtesy of BrooWaha.
WEST HOLLYWOOD - A reader writes in with this news on the upcoming Balenciaga boutique: "Drove by the store on melrose last night- right opposite the PDC. Blue tinted windows, but bags and racks of clothing in the store...any news of the official opening?" According to the LA Times, the store should be openingmid-March.
LITTLE ETHOPIA - Locals, rejoice: You will soon be able to buy razors and dish washing soap because it looks like construction is progressing along quite rapidly at your new Walgreens on the corner of Pico Blvd.
BEVERLY GROVE - Rachel Hurn-Maloney is opening Envi boutique on 3rd Street (the site of the former Filly boutique and Rhino Records pop-up space). What to expect: "Organic, eco-friendly apparel for men and women. Expect stylish not crunchy." There's nothing wrong with crunchy. [Blackburn and Sweetzer]
GLENDALE - In addition to your standard H&M, J.Crew and Kiehl's, Americana at Brand will also be throwing some jewelry at you. Tiffany & Co. will open a new concept store at the lifestyle center this October."The "ultra-modern" store will focus on new Tiffany collections intended to be on "fashion's leading edge," but will stay away from stocking the jeweler's highest-priced assortments. In other words, Tiffany is sorta slumming it now, too. [CoStar]
Mini-Malling, also known as Deconstructing Mini Mall Architecture, is our infrequent pondering of the psychology of retail architecture, signage and assembly of tenants specifically related to the mini-malls of Southern California. See a mini-mall worthy of a second look? Email us.
The Fleetwood Square mini-mall located at 19611 Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana/Woodland Hills is designed to look like the front of a Cadillac Fleetwood. It may be our favorite mini-mall in all of Los Angeles. Constructed in 1987, according to An Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles, it was designed in the Programmatic style of architecture, although it's unclear if a Cadillac dealership ever actually occupied the space. Per Loopnet, there is presently an occupancy available in Suite 104. We think that's below the right front headlight.
· Deconstructing Mini Mall Architecture: Why the Blue Things? [Curbed LA]
· Deconstructing Mini Mall Architecture: Washington Blvd [Curbed LA]
About Curbed LA
From the studio lots to the downtown lofts. From the beachfront bungalows to the canyon views. From the south bay to the valley, from the westside to the eastside—Curbed LA covers our sense of place, and the neighborhoods we call home. Read more about Curbed LA...
Lordy, developer Rick Caruso doesn't fart without putting out a press release. In anticipation of the May 2nd opening of the Americana at Brand, Team Caruso excitedly notes 
LAKEWOOD - As Macy's closes shop at the Lakewood Mall, a new retailer has stepped up to fill the void. A reader alerts us to the news: "Why hasn't anyone blogged about COSTCO coming to Lakewood's LakeHOOD MALL... Construction already began. The old macy*s building is naked (I'll try to snap a picture). Seriously? COSTCO at a Shopping mall?!?!?!?!?!?" Yes, tis true! Via the 
