It is one of the saddest patches of languishing land in the East Valley, and now comes the news that it's not going to get better anytime soon. A half-billion dollar redevelopment project long in the works for Valley and Laurel Plazas in North Hollywood is not going to happen, according to the Daily News, thanks to recession woes and defaulted note from one of the investors. more ›

Before you freak out, the stores are not in the immediate Los Angeles area. Just as El Segundo-based Fresh & Easy's parent company Tesco announced a 15% profit for the first half of 2010, it also said it would be doing some belt tightening in the American Southwest. 13 underperforming stores will be closed, mostly in the Phoenix and Las Vegas metros. One in Southern California, the Moreno Valley one, will also shutter, according to the blog Fresh & Easy Buzz. The stores could re-open in a couple years if the economy recovers. more ›

Mark Lacter at LA Business Observed today picks up on a piece at blogdowntown about a restaurant closing with that gem of a headline. The problem is, a planned Tony's Steakhouse for downtown Los Angeles had its lease terminated after two years and never seeing the day of light. Plans for the restaurant and others from the same owners were announced "just before and during the height of the recession." more ›

Usually, the faces change but the places stay the same. At least that’s the idea when it comes to the myriad of comedy houses peppered throughout Los Angeles. The names come and go (some bigger than others), but the brand and the comedy philosophy stay with the space. Groundlings, ACME,  iO West, and UCB (a relative newcomer, but still not-so-quietly celebrating their 5th anniversary this month) all preach a very specific form of comedy, and have been doing it in one form or another for years. Each of these, however, pale in longevity to ComedySportz LA, which holds a very unique distinction as not only the most tenured comedy theater in town, but is actually the longest running stage show in Los Angeles. All of which could change without your help. more ›

Although gas was about 40-cents cheaper the year before, gasoline demand last October declined 0.4 percent when Californians used 1.246 billion gallons of gasoline compared to 1.252 billion gallons the same month in 2008, according to a state report released today. That percentage difference means about a $27 million difference in taxes collected by the state. "The October decrease in consumption is the first decline in six months," said the California State Board of Equalization. "The previous five months showed small increases in consumption when compared to last year." Use of Diesel, which generally follows economic activity during a recession, was down by 11.1%. more ›

It looks like the recession has hit Dolce Enoteca so now their offering a recession obsession deal: 50% off everything on their menu through Monday. "No coupons, no flyers... no bullshit... just great food at half price," they said in an e-mail blast. The Dolce Group also owns the Geisha House, Bella Cucina Italiana, Les Deux and Ketchup. The latter spot is now offering half off all alcohol and appetizers during Dodger games. more ›

I was driving back from the Costco in Burbank one afternoon when my boyfriend turned to me and asked "Why in God's name is there a custom hat store on Magnolia? Who wears hats anymore?" I thought a second, laughed, and said -- "Hollywood!" Movie-makers will always need milliners and other manufacturers of specialty props -- right?? more ›

The Official Recession has blanketed us for nearly eighteen official months. For the last seven of those shallow-pocketed months, LAist has brought you the weekly Recession Obsession series. We've looked at a some fun things to do, but the focus has been on eating. more ›

This person had enough money to buy or lease a BMW, but not enough to pay their parking tickets. more ›

While LAist certainly doesn’t condone all you able-bodied folks out there mooching off the government in this age of budget shortfalls, we’re not one to lay down the law when it comes to having a little fun, either. And apparently we’re not alone. The Laugh Factory in Hollywood and Long Beach have recently begun to offer free shows for those of us who can prove that we’re unemployed. Sounds like fun to us. more ›

The Official Recession has enveloped us for sixteen official months. It’s still no reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a ton of inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is somewhere that's truly fantastic, regardless of whether times are good or you've been downsized. We last obsessed over Guatemalan fast food, and inexpensive comedy shows. Today, we obsess... more ›

The Official Recession has enveloped us for sixteen official months. It’s still no reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a ton of inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is truly fantastic, regardless of whether times are good or you've been downsized. We last obsessed over LA's inexpensive comedy shows, and the sweet baked goods at the panderia. Today, we obsess... more ›

Following up last week's conversation about Los Angeles' far flung suburb with KCET SoCal Connected correspondent John Ridley, here is the spot that aired. At one point, Robin Leach (you know him as the voice behind Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous) blamed President Barack Obama's mention of Vegas in the context of bailout money for the cancellation of 55 conferences. They have some extra videos, too, including the normally packed airplane from Burbank to Vegas: more ›

Okay, so it's not Nobu -- but who has the bank account to handle $200 sushi fests nowadays? Wokcano offers good happy hour prices in convenient locations for your after-work bitch fests -- the menu will make even the sushi-shy happy. And hey, if you don't have a job, then you can get to happy hour that much earlier! From 4-7pm, sneak in a cocktail or two and some creative rolls like The Black Pearl and the Late Night Party Roll (crabmeat, avocado, scallops, and lobster). Yeah, maybe you sushi purists should show yourselves the door, but who's going to argue with lychee martinis and Asian bloody Marys? Not this girl. more ›

The Official Recession has enveloped us for sixteen official months. It’s still no reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a ton of inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is truly fantastic, regardless of whether times are good or you're unemployed. We last obsessed over the sweet baked goods at the panderia, and El Salvador’s pupusas. Today, we obsess over... more ›

It's not unemployment, it's funemployment, right? Sure! But try telling that to the newly created legions of recession victims who spend their days trolling the internet for job leads and nervously rechecking their bank account balance. When you're out of work and trying to save money, it's hard to get out and have fun -- gym memberships, drinks with friends, movies, and restaurant dinners all have to go. But even the brokest asses still need sustenance -- mental and physical. What can you do in this city with a handful of Georges and some pocket change? more ›

Long time downtown institution Clifton's Cafeteria can beat the hard times with ease, find KCET's SoCal Connected. Additionally, LAist also has many Recession Obsessions for you to choose from including downtown favorites like Grand Central Market and the Flower Market. more ›

The Official Recession has enveloped us for fifteen official months. It’s still no reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a ton of inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is somewhere fantastic, whether times are good or not, because it's that damn good. We last obsessed on some Salvadorean pupusas and no-cook, take-home Korean food. Today, we... more ›

During World War II they were called "Victory Gardens"--home-tended sections of land yielding money-saving produce for folks without much money to spare. While "Victory Gardens" might call to mind PBS programming an older relative might enjoy, the impulse to plant and grown has taken root once again nationwide. Now we call them "Recession Gardens" but by any other name the rose--or tomato plant--will still smell as sweet:

Industry surveys show double-digit growth in the number of home gardeners this year, and mail-order companies report such a tremendous demand that some have run out of seeds for basic vegetables such as onions, tomatoes and peppers. (Daily News)

The Official Recession has enveloped us for fifteen official months. It’s still no reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a ton of inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is somewhere fantastic, whether times are good or not, because it's that damn good. We last loved on Peruvian-style chicken and Leimert Park's Papa West. Today, we... more ›

With the recession in full swing, it's hard to reconcile our love of food and booze with our dwindling bank accounts. Suddenly, dinner out at our favorite pricey restaurant seems overindulgent amidst rising unemployment and falling stock prices. So what's a socially responsible foodie to do? more ›

Maybe he should have gone into the taco business? Famed British hothead & restaurateur Gordon Ramsay is selling his WeHo outpost Gordon Ramsay at The London West Hollywood (maybe the name was a problem?), thanks to slow business and Ramsay's own financial troubles. Despite fairly positive reviews and a good location, Ramsay just couldn't seem to overcome the irony of his absence from a "celeb chef!!"-driven establishment. Or maybe it was...the foie gras? (I kid!) more ›

Are you subscribed to Lesley Balla's new foodie newsletter, Tasting Table? Well, you better be, because this former EaterLA editor is proving to be the fastest finger on the foodie trigger. To wit: the latest message in our inbox, regarding a fantastic new deal at one of the city's most expensive restaurants. Craft LA, brainchild of Top Chef's Tom Colicchio, has just unveiled a downright economical new menu featuring small plates, with nothing over $9. more ›

Did you check out the LAist Live Chat this afternoon? Well if you did, you spoke to us about your thoughts on foie gras, supergraphics, public transportation, and most importantly, where to get the cheapest booze and eats in the city. Here are some happy hour tips from you, our dear readers! more ›

Did anyone watch Obama's video address this weekend? He talks about jobs and boy do we ever need them. Home Depot announced today that they're cutting 7,000 jobs, or 2 percent of their workforce. And Sprint Nextel said that 8,000 have been cut starting today, but by the end of March, 56,000 jobs, which is 14 percent of their workforce, will be cut. more ›

Following a report earlier this week that said 164,000 jobs would be lost in the Los Angeles region alone in 2009, the state released its own report today telling us California hit a 9.3% unemployment rate in December. That's almost 1 percentage point more than a month before in November. Save those pennies, it's time to get recessed obsessed. Warner Bros. announced that they will be cutting 800 jobs worldwide on Tuesday. more ›

"All plans are tentative; all courses of action provisional. The only certainty is that the J. Paul Getty Museum is very rich, indeed," wrote the LA Times in 1982. And so the journey to build the Getty Center in the Sepulveda Pass began. Today the Wall Street Journal explores the Getty's financial history, from the 50s until today where it is up against the recession just like everyone else. Says James N. Wood, the museum's director: "We are an institution that is entering young adulthood. It's been a hell of an adolescence: rich, painful and with fighting among siblings." more ›

Warner Bros. Entertainment announced today that they'll be slashing their worldwide staff by 10%, or 800 people. Yes, it's the recession. Hollywood has become more savvy to outsourcing and for Warner, management information systems and accounts payable are among the first to go that way. "There are both cyclical and secular issues with film production. For many years, there has probably been too many movies being produced and a cyclical downturn has forced some rationalization," an analyst told Reuters. Sony has already announced a cut in 8,000 jobs in their electronics division, but their Hollywood division is expected to be next. more ›

It's always been a way to make some extra cash in Los Angeles. Get your home listed with location scouting agencies and someday a film crew will come to you and pay you for the use of your house. Now that time are tough, more people want in, even if it means some porno action, which can earn up to $5,000 a day (stain fee?). The good news is that the money you earn is not taxable unless you have more than 15 days of film shoots. But that won't be a problem--shooting in Los Angeles is considerably down. more ›

It's probably one of the biggest cultural shocks for people relocating to Los Angeles for the very first time: the high cost of living, specifically renting. While most natives don't bat a single eyelash at $1200 studio apartments or $2500 two-bedrooms, the recently arrived are dumbfounded by exorbitant rates for totally mundane, even run-down apartments (Westwood Village, anyone?). more ›