Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

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.

News

Westwood Is Dying: Twitter Account Documents the 'hood's Decline

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

Westwood's hit a rough patch lately. UCLA students are getting mugged. A college bar engaged in some filthy behavior. Now, the neighborhood boasts a Twitter account dedicated solely to chronicling the closing of restaurants and businesses.

"Westwood is Dying" (@westwoodisdying) has a simple goal: "Documenting the closed and closing storefronts in Westwood Village." Indeed, there hasn't been a shortage of material in the college neighborhood that was once one of the busiest retail areas in the city. Here are some gems mourning the closure of community pillars, like Lids and Acapulco:

These sad tweets only scratch the surface of Westwood's malaise: Best Buy, Jamba Juice, Baja Fresh and numerous independent retailers have all closed up shop. Curbed LA reports, though, that a rebound is on the horizon: a CityTarget just opened and a new hotel is in the works. And then there's this:

Sponsored message

Chin up, Westwood. Help is on the way.

Related:
Oh Snap! New Twitter Account Says 'Westwood Is Great!'

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today