American Apparel Is Closing Its Original Store In Echo Park

Hipster brand American Apparel is closing its first retail store as part of an effort to restructure the struggling company.

After filing for bankruptcy and announcing earlier this year that the company would close some locations, American Apparel is putting their recovery plan into action. The company has announced that they will shut down their original retail outlet in Echo Park, according to The Eastsider. First opened in 2003 on Sunset Blvd. near the corner of Alvarado St., the store has long been a destination for shiny and colorful, locally-manufactured basics for some, while also considered a sign of gentrification for others. Closing the location is part of the company's plan to shore up resources in the wake of financial challenges and the ousting of founder Dov Charney.

"This store closure is a next step in implementing our previously announced turnaround plan, which includes closing underperforming locations and investing in new stores in promising areas," the company told The Eastsider in a statement.

Apparently, Echo Park isn't buying enough hoodies anymore.

The exact timeline of when the store will completely clear out has not been announced, but as The Eastsider points out, the 5,300-square-foot store—including the adjacent store and 2nd floor—are already up for lease and available in February, according to a listing on LoopNet. The listing even makes mention of the unconfirmed rumor that the popular restaurant Alimento plans to move in across the street to the space now occupied by neighborhood institution Pizza Buona.