Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Altadena Walmart: Jim's Burgers expects boost from new retailer
Listen
• 0:23
Jim's Burgers in Altadena is two blocks away from the Walmart Neighborhood Market, Owner Amir Siddiqi is in favor of the Walmart Neighborhood Store and hopes he will gain new customers.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)
This story is part of a series on the disruptions to local small businesses expected in the community of Altadena when a new Walmart Neighborhood Market opens next year. To read the rest of the series, check out the links at the end of this story.
Click the pins for comments from area businesses
When Amir Siddiqi took over Jim’s Burgers two years ago, he saw promise in the rundown Altadena establishment. He knew there was a lot of work to be done.
Support for LAist comes from
The tables were sticky and the floors were encrusted with dirt. There were cracks in the window and air penetrated through bullet holes in the glass.
“The previous owner did not really take care of it,” Siddiqi said. “His philosophy was, the dirtier the business looked, more people would come in. He wanted to treat this place like a hole in the wall.”
Today, Jim’s Burgers has a much brighter touch.
There is a colorful mural on the wall illustrating the area around the restaurant and the menu has healthier options like turkey burgers, Philly cheese steak and salads.
Even though the restaurant is across the street from a McDonald’s, it remains a popular hangout on Lincoln Avenue. There’s a constant crowd, with people lining up to get a bite to eat. Sales at the restaurant grew 12 percent last year, Siddiqi said.
“We’re more of a home cooked-style food, rather than fast food,” Siddiqi said. “This location has been a very neighborhood-oriented gathering place.”
Siddiqi said he expects his business to get a further boost when the new Walmart Neighborhood Market opens down the street. He hopes for a 20 to 30 percent sales increase.
Support for LAist comes from
“For a big business like that to come into our community, I think it’s very good because it does bring jobs and economic growth to the area,” Siddiqi said.
Siddiqi points to how his business is already helped by the county redevelopment project across the street, which brought a Super King grocery store and a 24 Hour Fitness into the area several years ago. The gym brings in customers from La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta and Pasadena, who stop by his restaurant for turkey burgers.
He doesn’t think nearby stores should fear Walmart. Instead, the retail giant will bring in more traffic, which means more shoppers and more people spending money in Altadena, he added.
“I think if the smaller businesses are able to do better services and better pricing, they will come out ahead,” Siddiqi said.
RELATED: Altadena small businesses worry about Altadena's new Walmart
RELATED: Toto Beauty Supply worried about Walmart
RELATED: Altadena's All Star Liquor will fight Walmart
Support for LAist comes from
RELATED: Altadena water store says it could lose customers to Walmart
RELATED: Jim's Burgers says Walmart could mean new customers
RELATED: Altadena clothing store unsure of Walmart's impact
RELATED: Sales at Altadena music store are lagging
RELATED: Walmart could mean new customers for Altadena barber shop
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist