7+Fig Macy's Closure an Opportunity for the Complex
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — After operating two stores just one block apart for the last two years, Macy's announced today that it plans to close its store at the 7+Fig shopping center, owned by Brookfield Properties.
Brookfield's Senior Vice President for Southern California, Bert Dezzutti, said that the company had not been formally notified by the department store chain, but called this a "great opportunity to change and reposition" the complex.
Macy's store at 7+Fig opened in 1986, back when the complex was built as the "Seventh Market Place." Originally a Robinsons May, the store occupies 120,000 square feet on three floors, with a fourth floor landing opening up onto 7th street. Macy's acquired the Robinsons May chain in 2006.
Just a block down the street, the store at Macy's Plaza was originally a Broadway department store, opened in 1973. Federated, Macy's parent company, bought the Broadway chain in 1995.
Since 2006, both stores have offered a very similar array of merchandise, leading many to speculate that one would eventually close.
Along with the 120,000 square feet currently occupied by Macy's, 7+Fig has a 80,000 square foot department store space vacated by the Bullock's chain in 1997 (again, after a purchase by Federated).
Dezzutti said that his firm is in discussions with large retail users interested in the complex. While he declined to give any names, he said that Downtowners would be excited. "Suffice it to say that they're names and brands that people would be very excited to hear about Downtown," he told blogdowntown. Dezzutti also confirmed that it would be possible to combine the two stores into a space slightly larger than 200,000 square feet.
Brookfield bought the 7+Fig complex in 2006, and is preparing to announce its plans for an overhaul. Dezzutti said that the firm is obtaining approvals and exploring different options for the complex, while kicking off a $3 million project to make signage improvements and cosmetic alterations.
Downtown residents who have long wanted to see a Target store in the neighborhood should take note: the typical Target runs approximately 125,000 - 175,000 square feet, comfortably within the 200,000 now available.
Brian on January 08, 2009, at 11:59AM – #1
Your last sentence Eric makes you out to have some inside information :)
I know plenty of new downtown residents would like to see a Target in downtown, and this space is probably one of the few existing that could accommodate such a retailer.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on January 08, 2009, at 12:03PM – #2
No inside information there, Brian. Just offering up some numbers.
Jon on January 08, 2009, at 12:08PM – #3
It's about time. This is a wonderful opportunity for downtown. Go figure. A store closes, and we see it as good news. Downtown has come a long way.
Brian La Belle on January 08, 2009, at 12:15PM – #4
Haha that's too bad Eric, I was hoping you had a scoop of some sorts.
Pamela Rouse (@) on January 08, 2009, at 12:29PM – #5
Target, TJ's & costco.. the main reasons (of very few) I leave downtown for shopping.. A Target would definitely be nice! ;)
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on January 08, 2009, at 12:32PM – #6
A typical Trader Joes is 10,000 square feet. Costco is around 150,000 square feet, similar to Target. Obviously urban stores sometimes differ from that, though.
Scott Bogash on January 08, 2009, at 02:01PM – #7
So there's enough room for both a Target and a Trader Joe's. Cha-ching!
Ginny-Marie Case on January 08, 2009, at 02:11PM – #8
All this talk of Target makes me want to go shopping!
kenarch on January 08, 2009, at 03:24PM – #9
Target is no stranger to urban stores, though most people think of them as a large suburban stand-alone big box operation. A great example of an urban Target that seems to work pretty well is the one on Colorado Blvd. in downtown Pasadena. It wouldn't surprise me to see the big red bull's eye Downtown, and it would be a very good fit for the area as well as the store.
On another note, all this Trader Joe's talk is getting old... I think Downtown needs to face the fact that TJ's spurned Downtown several years ago. Fresh & Easy, anyone?
loftdweller on January 08, 2009, at 03:26PM – #10
I'd love to have a Costco as opposed to Target.
celia on January 08, 2009, at 03:46PM – #11
put the costco in the arts district, the target replaces the macy's, and put a whole foods or trader joe's in at 4th & spring when banco popular vacates.
delete on January 08, 2009, at 04:29PM – #12
when is banco popular leaving?
JM on January 08, 2009, at 09:54PM – #13
A Target at that location would be great for residents and commuters alike. Plus, it has a parking structure. For what it's worth (after years of continuous rumors and let-downs), last weekend I heard a cashier at Trader Joe's say they're looking for a space Downtown. I'm not holding my breath though. Congrats to Ralph's on taking the plunge first. They deserve a lot of credit.
Susana on January 09, 2009, at 09:30AM – #14
How about a Trader Joes at the Little Tokyo mall? They should turn that box of a building into an actual shopping destination. Barnes and Noble... Conservative businesses that would provide a void in services in DT and would be sure to attract customers.
loveandhatela on January 09, 2009, at 06:25PM – #15
Yes a TARGET would be ideal..that is my wish for this new year..A TARGET in Downtown LA. Its now like a couple years since TARGET took over an empty department store space at the Glendale Galleria and thats working just fine. The top 3 in the discount chain sector:
1.- Walmart : sheer global domination and low prices.
2.- Target: great balance of quality and value and awesome with employees.
3.- Kmart: yes trying to improve its image using fellow Sears brands- Craftsman,Kenmore and Diehard. Some stores even now carry washers n dryers etc.
And yes Ralph's is cool...they are being "commended" all the way to the bank..$$$$$ money money..that store has exceeded sales expectations.
Target = Yuck on January 09, 2009, at 07:27PM – #16
You can take the Metro to either Hwd and Highland or Pasadena within minutes and get all the H & M and Target you need.
Downtown is doomed.
Juanito on January 09, 2009, at 08:30PM – #17
How about combining the bottom floor of the former Bullocks with the adjacent Macy's and make a giant ice skating rink, plus a cafe for people to dine and watch future Olympic champions work out?
Another floor could be used for a Target and then have a Trader Joes on the third. Voila!
Juanito on January 09, 2009, at 08:40PM – #18
Celia, putting a Trader Joe's at 4th & Spring would not be a good idea. That is simply because thereafter, no work would ever get accomplished at the CRA upstairs. As well, everyone there would start putting on pounds. Not good.
Map of TJs on January 10, 2009, at 12:39PM – #19
Here is a list showing the abundance of Trader Joes in and around Los Angeles, to make it easier for you to find one painfully and already close to downtown. Downtown does not need one.
http://www.traderjoes.com/Attachments/SC_loc.pdf
Russell Brown on January 10, 2009, at 03:25PM – #20
Regarding Trader Joe's, not sure how West Hollywood, Culver City, Pasadena, Hancock Park (western edge) or even the traffic clogged Silverlake TJ locations can be considered close by.
Maybe if I am communting from Santa Clarita or Riverside, it is considered close by. But for downtown residents, give us better access.
All that 2 buck chuck at the Gallery Row events comes from somewhere. Besides, us single lofties do not want to eat the Costco sized family portions for a family of 12. Wheaties triple pack for the next 4 months anyone?
Purple Haze on January 10, 2009, at 04:23PM – #21
Yes, let's have a flagship outlet of Trader Joe's at 7th & Fig: (including)
Fifty seven brands of goat cheese.
Gucci cuscus, con cajones
Pucci ternera, con salsa
Fiorucci tortuga gigante, con langostinos
And one hundred and fifty seven brands of tequila!
We'll need the world's finest tequila, if only to wash down the cajones.
Take your pick on January 10, 2009, at 07:10PM – #22
The TJs at both SilverLake and Eagle Rock are close enough.
The use of 2 Buck Chuck at galleries (and anywhere, really) reflects cheapness and bad taste.
Purple Haze on January 10, 2009, at 09:19PM – #23
Picky Picker: if you had anywhere near an above average sense of taste you'd know that there are a surprising number of decent varietals and sometimes some very good ones, near or within the price range you speak of. That's one very particular attraction of TJs.
Just shut up and go away, to the west side, preferably.
Bert Green on January 10, 2009, at 11:09PM – #24
I for one have never served, and would never serve, that awful Chuck at any of my gallery events. Guess what? I buy all of the wine we serve at the gallery within downtown, and do it on foot. While a Trader Joe's or other store might be nice for some people, I can get most everything I need here already.
Purple Hose on January 11, 2009, at 01:27AM – #25
You ARE already "west side" if you shop at Trader Joes. Enjoy your "Trader Jose" frozen encheeladuhs.
But despite your brave use of the word "varietal," an enophile you will never be.
Greensmark on January 11, 2009, at 12:19PM – #26
The thing I find the most interesting in all of these responses is that we all talking about the same thing: Making Downtown THE place to be. Let's make sure something happens, though. I hope that we will all take that "leap of faith" that is just on the horizon.
Grnsmrk
Hose is really just another Hoser on January 11, 2009, at 03:24PM – #27
Try to get organic potatoes or fertile eggs at Grand Central and they'd look at you cross-eyed.
When Whole Foods opened at the southwest corner of Central Park in Manhattan, tens of thousands shopped on the first day. If a TJs opened there instead, they'd have had to call out the riot squad.
Juanito on January 11, 2009, at 04:04PM – #28
At a previous place of employment, in a renovated warehouse housing two design firms, we had biweekly happy hours on friday at five. It went on for nearly two years, everyone attended and it all was a blast. Friends and relatives attended as well. One person would take their respective turn in bringing the wine and food. Everyone always shopped at the nearby Trader Joes, except my boss, a confirmed "enophile" and an insufferable shit of a person and a snob to boot. He would always bring expensive bottles from his own collection (55 degrees constant temperature).
Main point: The Emperor would always emphasize how much more his bottles had cost in comparison with what all of the rest of us had brought to the fare. Sometimes his wine was exceptional and sometimes it was just two-buck. Once, one bottle of his seemed to have been contaminated with something rotten. I literally spit it back into the glass and dumped it out into the sink (without apologizing you understand). That one bottle was far worse than any other of hundreds of brands/varietals we tasted, generally supplied by TJs.
Finally, all the rest of us got sick and tired of his personality and his alcoholism and it all fell apart. Both firms moved to new locations. But it was fun while it lasted. Mostly.
enophile the xenophile on January 11, 2009, at 07:59PM – #29
I'm all for putting in a TJ's, but they have to stop using those nasty corks in 2 buck Chuck and switch to screw cap bottles. Juanito, sounds like you have had the taste of corked wine firsthand.
Jeffrey Chao on January 12, 2009, at 12:19PM – #30
I would love to have a Target open up in Downtown! That'll be HUGE!
Deirdre Hudson on January 12, 2009, at 02:19PM – #31
With the Ann Taylor's at the 7th and Fig shopping center closing as well, did they mention any thoughts on what might replace it?
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on January 12, 2009, at 02:53PM – #32
Deirdre: They won't talk about any names until contracts are signed. Speculating is left up to the rest of us.
L on January 12, 2009, at 04:42PM – #33
Don't confuse maintaining standards with snobbery.
Or, do confuse the two and suffer at the hands of self-imposed mediocrity.
Naturallawyer on January 13, 2009, at 04:13PM – #34
Re that map of Trader Joe's locations: I didn't see any TJs in my area code (213).
Eric on January 15, 2009, at 04:31PM – #35
Why do I get the feeling there is going to be a huge letdown here? A high-end retailer that nobody cares about...
fingers crossed against it.