With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
The Sears Store In Boyle Heights Is Closing Its Doors For Good Next Month
()
The historic Sears building at the corner of Olympic and Soto has been a mainstay of Boyle Heights for generations. But now the store is closing its doors for good...sometime next month.
The enormous retail complex (two MILLION square feet) first opened in 1927, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
While most of the building has been empty since the early 1990s, the Sears retail operation, owned by Transformco, only recently announced it was liquidating its inventory.
Michael Lisicky is a writer for Forbes, and covers the history of department and retail stores in America.
Support for LAist comes from
He says what happens to the building next is anyone's guess:
"At this point, talking to the developer, everything seems stalled. I know that there was supposed to be over a thousand residential units – that's [no longer happening]. So, at this point, it'll just be, more or less, an office and commercial space."
READ MORE (AND SEE SOME COOL HISTORIC PHOTOS):
So Long, Sears. What Comes Next For These Empty Architectural Behemoths?
Sears project stirs gentrification talk in Boyle Heights (KPCC)
LISTEN TO THE STORY FROM AIRTALK:
DO YOU HAVE MEMORIES OF THE BOYLE HEIGHTS SEARS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
Support for LAist comes from
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
Best of LAist