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.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Echo Park Shops Get The Boot As Developer Plans Huge 'Retail Compound'
Big changes look to be coming to Echo Park.
Long-time tenants along a busy stretch of Sunset Blvd. in Echo Park are preparing to relocate as a developer prepares to transform the area, reports The Eastsider. In the coming months, businesses along the southwest corner of Sunset and Alvarado will be pushed out as the new property owner, the Continental Development Group, prepares to gentrify renovate the entire block.
While longtime neighborhood favorite Pizza Buona already left the corner due to an unrelated rent hike, according to Curbed L.A., the mass-closing will include vintage tile and pottery seller Wells Tile & Antiques and Eric’s Architectural Salvage, which have shared a space for 25 years, but will have to clear out by June 1. Meanwhile, discount store Hit Bargain is already clearing out their inventory, while mom-and-pop electronics shop Rewind Audio and Lucy’s coin-laundry will close before the end of April. Not even the Starbucks inside Lucy's seems to be safe, as an employee tells the Eastsider that they'll be clearing out as well.
Continental, which is working on several other major development projects around town, plans to renovate the buildings and lure restaurants and other businesses to its "retail and restaurant compound." The new complex will be known as Sunset+Mohawk. While The Eastsider reports that a Continental employee told them there's a chance some businesses could return after the revamp, nobody seems to be holding their breath. Many of the exiting tenants say there's slim chance they could afford higher leasing rates.
Sponsor
“We really didn’t want to leave,” Scott Wells of Wells Tile & Antiques tells The Eastsider. Adding, "we couldn’t afford to stay." He plans to move his tile business, along with Eric’s Architectural Salvage, to Sixth Street in Westlake.
“It's just hard to rent a space now in Echo Park,” Well explained. “I couldn’t afford a place on Sunset now.”
Judging by some of Continentals listed clients from other projects, we're not so sure the existing tenants really fit their vision:
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.
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.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
