Save Our Store: An S.O.S Heard in Joel Bloom Square

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Friday, June 06, 2008, at 12:04PM

Blooms Ed Fuentes [Flickr]

After the passing of its founder, business at Blooms General Store has been slow. New management is determined it get it back on its feet and continue to serve the Arts District.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — For the last two weeks Bloom’s General Store has been under management by employee Jonathon Carter Schall. The shelves have slowly been restocked and the small Traction and Hewitt store is beginning to return to its place as an anchor of the Arts District.

It almost has to.

You can’t have Joel Bloom Square without its original outpost.

With some help by the neighborhood, Lilli Muller and CD9’s Jan Perry, a block party is being planned to be held in Joel Bloom Square. Proceeds will go to the neighborhood general store. The S.O.S is tentatively dated for mid July, close to the anniversary of last years memorial service.

It may seem unusual to harness so much neighborhood spirit for a small general store, but only if you didn't know Bloom and his neighborhood advocacy.

Bloom either lead or participated in bringing the community a DASH line, street lights, trees, and the process of naming the industrial area east of Alameda the Arts District.

Councilwoman Jan Perry, who arranged for the naming of Joel Bloom Square before he passed away, notes the importance of the general store and its founder in the growth of the city. She will be supporting the S.O.S., noting that “Joel was a forceful neighborhood executor. And besides, it will be just fun.”

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Comments

1
tornadoes28 writes:

If you need to have a block party fund raiser in order to help save this store, then it seems the store really should not be saved. No matter how quaint or nastalgic or historic or how long a business has been in a neighborhood, the fact is is that either it survives by selling stuff people want or it doesn't. That's life and that's the way it is.

If the businesses rent went up and they can't pay it based on the amount of their sales and they need to close, well that's life and that's the way it is.

A fundraiser really is pointless. If you want to support the business, then shop there. If they still don't do enough business, well, as I said, that's life.

# on Jun.06.2008 AT 04:18 PM
2
Eric Richardson writes:

There's an old saying that "it takes money to make money." Perhaps to succeed, the store needs to make some improvements (physical, inventory, etc) that it doesn't have the capital for, but which would make money as a return. It can be tough to get capital for an employee taking over a shop, with no established credit.

# on Jun.06.2008 AT 04:36 PM
3
meekorouse writes:

Well said Eric! From my understanding (and I'm rather new here myself) there was a situation that developed with the passing of Joel Bloom. An infusion of capital into the renovation and re-stocking of the store is very much needed. I seriously doubt that it's something one person could do on their own.

The desire and support of the community is there.. and has been there. This is a good idea that's time is long due.

# on Jun.06.2008 AT 06:38 PM
4
Ed Fuentes writes:

tornadoes28

This store was the site of informal networking that lead to initial changes that proved that downtown was a livable region. That store owner, more than once, did it out of his own pocket. And I can tell you, it wasn't like he had a secret bankroll.

I could go on, and it would put your comment to shame.

Let's just say there is a group of people who feel it's worth the effort to give this store a shot to thrive again, if anything in the memory of Bloom.

The store itself may falter, but for what this store was to all of downtown; people will gather, talk about the man who was behind the counter late into the night.

If it leaves downtown, it will be on it's own terms. Just as Joel did.

# on Jun.06.2008 AT 10:54 PM
5
Michael #1 writes:

Have a block party benefit to reopen Al's Bar and then have a benefit concert for Joel's store. I've been down here since 99 and the day Al's closed was the day the neighborhood died.

# on Jun.08.2008 AT 06:56 AM
6
Qathryn writes:

To run a Mom/Pop store it takes a mom and/or pop. The employees are dedicated but not the same as an owner would be. The store was only one part of the Bloom legacy. Let's move on.

# on Jun.08.2008 AT 11:41 AM
7
Lilli Muller writes:

Ok I really think- if all of you don't think that this cornerstore deserves a shot to get back on its feet in memory of joel as much as it anchors this neighborhood, I think you are missing a vital point in the history of downtown arts district and the importance of this community supporting each other in this neighbor hood and also an important piece of joel's Legacy.

Anyone who wants to restock out of their own funding what they would like to have and see...go right ahead. In the meantime (like our close-knit community always has functioned through many trials and tribulations) we are moving along getting restocking and raising the funds in order to give it a head start . -AND have an annual Joel Bloom Memorial Arts District Block Party (can event title get any longer?)

It's a matter of action not talk - and I think whoever does not know should maybe ask a neighbor that has been there for a while.

Al's Bar.... now that's not a matter of death and dedication - ask the previous owner and you'll get the real story -- or not-- so lets leave the selfserving at home

Thanks Lilli

# on Jun.27.2008 AT 06:06 PM

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