Help Bring a Grocery Store to the Historic Core
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — I get emails now and again asking me to post things here, and often I'm willing to oblige. When today's request had to do with bringing a small grocery store to the Historic Core I had to jump right on it.
John Gabin of Cafe Marley and Stephane Strouk of the group behind Mr. Marcel Gourmet Market are running a survey "regarding an upcoming restaurant/grocery store project" in the Historic Core. It asks you about what sort of features would draw you to a market, and what sort of product you'd be most apt to buy.
I said back in May of 2004 that I didn't care too much about the new Ralphs coming in, since the .85 miles from my apartment to the store would be too far to just stop in and pick up what I needed to make dinner. A market in the Historic Core, though... I'd be all over that.
Click here to take the survey.
The only question in the survey that threw me was one that asked "What is your favorite restaurant in Los Angeles?" What kind of favorite? Favorite as in I eat there often, or favorite as in "if money were no object?"
colemonkee on July 14, 2006, at 03:21PM – #1
Every time I walk by the Douglas Building, I can't help but think of how perfect the ground floor space would be for a medium sized grocery store like a Trader Joe's or Bristol Farms. They would have a serious parking problem there, but I would hope that most of the people who would frequent it (at least the local residents) would walk or use a delivery service.
(kristen) on July 16, 2006, at 09:05AM – #2
i heard that there would eventually be a trader joe's in little tokyo...
celia on July 16, 2006, at 10:28AM – #3
That's funny, every time I walk by the Douglas Building, I think of Kristin.
Scott Mercer on July 17, 2006, at 10:44PM – #4
There WILL be a "gourmet grocery" coming to the Pacific Electric Lofts. The only question is how long is it going to take. They've done all the demolition work on our first floor and now they need to start rebuilding the facade so it should look similar to its original 1905 appearance. They're saying 6 months to 12 months before stuff starts opening, but I'll believe that when I see it. If you folks can be patient, you'll have your historic core grocery before you know it. Tough stuff, I'm very impatient about it myself. It might be open before the Ralphs, but maybe not.
Jon Dick on October 19, 2006, at 06:41PM – #5
There are three grocery stores downtown that I frequent on a weekly basis:
(1) Bunker Hill Market, tiny, and mostly a liquour store but they have a surprisingly wide selection of frozen foods, fresh items, magazines, and other essentials. somewhat pricey. I live in BHTC so I'm a regular.
(2) Mitsuwa, at 333 S. Alameda, full service Japanese supermarket about the size of an average Vons. 1 hr free parking in adjacent structure. Excellent fresh meats, fish and veg., amidst the Japanese items are all the American staple goods and foods you'd probably need. Clientele is 10-20 not asian so don't be put off by it being a Japanese market. Some English spoken. Has a reputation, I think undeserved, for being pricey. I shop there twice a week, and have for 13 years. (3) Marukai, at Weller Court on 2nd. Smaller Japanese market with high quality veg, but very limited meat or fish that's not frozen. Free parking underground off 2nd by validation with 10$ purchase. Unlike bigger Marukai outlets you don't need to buy annual memberships. Mixed crowd, some English spoken. More bargain conscious than Mitsuwa. Excellent, a weekly excursion but only on weekdays as it gets crowded on Wkends.
Whitman Lam on October 20, 2006, at 12:25AM – #6
Everything sold in Downtown tends to be high end or high pricetag. How about some more affordable, down to earth grocery shopping, like a Wal-mart (Hate to use that word but they have something going on with that cheap prescription drug program.)
Something you would find in many other neighborhoods, you can make a quick stop to buy some generic bread, generic laundry detergent, Heinz barbecue sauce, Oscar Meyer ham, Whiskas for the cat, and then leave knowing you saved some cash by avoiding the high end stuff.
Alot of Downtowners need more affordable ammenities with convenience.
David Kennedy on October 20, 2006, at 02:34PM – #7
If you want reasonably priced groceries downtown, head over to Numero Uno on the block bound by Pico, Hoover & Alvarado. Just head west on Pico from downtown. There's also Liborio at Pico & Alvarado, if you prefer. Good basic groceries and friendly service at both at very reasonable prices.
Not sure why this is not more widely known. Don't let the fact everyone speaks Spanish put you off. Great places for basic groceries.
Veronica Myers on November 06, 2006, at 09:16AM – #8
Just moved into 4th and Spring, and after hearing everyone I have spoken to about downtown living complain about grocery shopping, I decided to see what other options I had. Dispite what someone had told me, Vons.com does deliver, so I'm just going to order from them from now on.