Historic Core Ed Hardy Outlet Shuts Doors After Less Than Six Months
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Well that was fast.
Less than six months after quietly opening its doors, a sign outside the Ed Hardy outlet store on Spring street says that "This location is permanently closed."
The shop opened without even a sign on April 4. While reaction to the store here on blogdowntown may not have been kind, the brand is a big seller and was a surprising name for a neighborhood not known for retail.
So is this closure an indictment on the Historic Core's retail future? One suspects not. Opening and closing so quickly speaks more to shifting whims than to an unrealized business plan.
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phillip on October 02, 2009, at 09:34AM – #1
The should put a Mac store their!
Vanzant on October 02, 2009, at 09:35AM – #2
If a store like this opened in South Park it would do much better.
Pamela Rouse on October 02, 2009, at 09:41AM – #3
One wonders who their clientele was? Did they promote themselves outside of downtown?? Were they relying on word of mouth or local shoppers?? I got the impression downtown dwellers aren't the ones shopping at this store. And yes, while it's not my personal taste I know there are plenty of people I've seen down in Anaheim wearing Ed Hardy (after someone kindly explained to me what it was). I'm thinking that the economy and whatever marketing campaign they had may have done a lot to determine their success.
bromike666 on October 02, 2009, at 09:51AM – #4
I look forward to the entire Audigier following suit. He's just gross and everything about that company is gross. The real shame is that most people have no idea who Don Ed Hardy is.
Maybe Ed Hardy and Von Dutch can get together and start a new line and call it Don Von.
Julie Jamerson on October 02, 2009, at 10:11AM – #5
I may be wrong, but I think they were in the wrong location to get the kind of clientele they were looking for. A brand name store may be a wrong fit for the neighborhood unless it was an American Apparel or something of the sort.
Jamie DeFrisco on October 02, 2009, at 10:19AM – #6
It's a combination of the location and the products. I agree with the comment that it could have done better in South Park or even in Little Tokyo. It's out of place in the historic core. The clothing they did have is all of the leftovers. It's the clothes that didn't sell during the season and is now offered at a discount. There's a reason why most of those clothes they didn't sell in the first place. Even with the discount it's still more expensive than most other clothing shops in Downtown LA.
E. on October 02, 2009, at 10:35AM – #7
Christian Audigier's shirts are a scourge in this city. I doubt this store closing will dent his laughably large ego, but if there is a tiny wound, I'm sure he'll just cover up the hurt with another crappy, derivative, ham-fisted clothing line.
Ginny-Marie Case on October 02, 2009, at 10:44PM – #8
Ya...a mac store!
carlos on October 03, 2009, at 08:54AM – #9
maybe well get lucky and score an H&M or Urban Outfitters..
Ron Alarid on October 03, 2009, at 10:44AM – #10
The Historic core of Downtown and Old Bank District is a little to hip for Ed Hardy. Most people that live here have much better taste and don't wear such mainstream "gaudy" labels such as Ed Hardy. As a resident of this downtown neighborhood, I am glad to see it go!
Eric Wang on October 03, 2009, at 12:41PM – #11
By "mac" store, you mean Apple, right? Not the cosmetics store?
Andy on October 03, 2009, at 12:55PM – #12
This is really for the best. Is the Down and Out bar at the Alexandria equally misguided?
Brady Westwater on October 03, 2009, at 02:28PM – #13
Not only was the store virtually always empty during the day - but it was even empty during Art Walk. I asked one of the employees how we could better promote them in the area - and I was told the people in this area were not their customers - nor was anyone who would be on the Art Walk or the Fashion Walk. Meanwhile, Fremont is moving from 4th to 7th to a much larger store - and five new fashion store have/will open in just six weeks. And Stella just had her best month ever in September.
Ricardo Galindo on October 05, 2009, at 12:21AM – #14
It was about time! you cant expect that horrible trend to keep going on for ever!
Chris on October 05, 2009, at 03:08AM – #15
Good riddance! The less horrible Ed Hardy crap I have to look at, the better!
Christophe Serafino on October 05, 2009, at 11:23AM – #16
HOORAY!
David Kennedy on October 05, 2009, at 11:46AM – #17
The store obviously opened in the wrong location. Affluent hipster downtowners are not the target demographic. Ed Hardy is very popular with my working class Latino in-laws. But, to reach these consumers a location in the heart of the Fashion District or Pico Union or on Pacific Blvd. in Huntington Park would be more effective.
Ankur on October 05, 2009, at 03:06PM – #18
BOO to apple store.
How about bicycle store with cafe?
Derek on October 05, 2009, at 04:27PM – #19
They had possibly the ugliest clothes since those parachute pants back in the early 80's. Just really tacky overdone clothes. Yuck, good riddance.
Zo on October 05, 2009, at 05:25PM – #20
Ha! That's what Audigier gets. Hate that store, hate that crap.
Jamie DeFrisco on October 05, 2009, at 06:08PM – #21
I have to agree with Ankur on a bicycle shop. It would be great to get a good bike shop that has a variety of bikes, including city bikes. There's a few specialty places in downtown, but most only carry parts or custom made ones.
I also would love an H&M, like carlos suggested, but the retail space in question isn't big enough IMHO. It would fit better around LA Live or Macy's anyways.
Cole on October 05, 2009, at 06:58PM – #22
I laugh at the smugsters too good for Ed Hardy. 1) There is no fashion presence downtown. There are plenty of garments but no fashion. The goofballs who invade downtown on the weekends are Ed Hardy patrons. You see them everywhere. 2) There is a clientele who already exist here, David Kennedy is, in part, accurate on that one. So if they're not keeping an EH outlet store afloat, then no one will. Shopping will resume in The Alleys.
Stella's store consistently reeks of cat urine and I'm about one goth dress away from calling the health department. Seriously.
Cole on October 06, 2009, at 04:57PM – #23
When something like this happens downtown, then we will have fashion, but not until.
http://alexandermcqueenlive.showstudio.com/
DawnC on October 07, 2009, at 08:48AM – #24
I agree that if things like this must come downtown they should only open in South Park. There's already chain restaurants and now the new multiplex, it seems like a natural progression to have retailers follow in the already mall-like atmosphere. I hope it would be more along the lines of H&M and Anthropologie rather than The Gap and Banana Republic though. Does every shopping area in the U.S. have to be the same? I mean, why travel?
The historic core is much better suited for small interesting boutiques with unique things to offer to the neighborhood. I really can't say I'm upset that Ed Hardy has closed, I was embarrassed every time I walked by it. If the recession keeps the big chains out and keeps rents low enough to allow smaller shops to open, so much the better.
John Swartz on October 07, 2009, at 12:05PM – #25
Well, OF COURSE an ACTUAL Christain Audigier outlet can't last downtown! Every single store on Broadway sells Ed Hardy stuff for for cheep! Why would people pay full price when they can get it for half one block away!?!?!
People do not come downtown for name-brand stores! They come here for dirt cheep prices! LOL. How in God's name could they think thy could compete with that!?
Who is attracting and promoting downtown to these names? Whoever they are, they're misleading thes strores to think that they can compete with Broadway. The hoards of people who come downtown to shop do not come for name brands. And, likewise, the people who live downtown and shop name brands go to Hollywood or Beverly hills to shop!
IS THIS NOT COMMON KNOWLEDGE? -J
Bert Green on October 07, 2009, at 06:38PM – #26
I was told that the owner of the building at 433 S. Spring is a partner in the Ed Hardy company, so he provided the retail space to them cheap.
ImNotPOTUS on October 07, 2009, at 07:09PM – #27
I think Ed Hardy better check on his supply chain because my friend came back from a trip to Europe with a pile of his wares. She said the street vendors are flooded with his stuff. They look hideous to begin with so I can't tell if they are knock offs or not. Anyone wanting to spend real cash for his things would be better off flying coach to Rome and shopping for it there. More bang for the buck.
carter on October 08, 2009, at 07:47PM – #28
I had to laugh when i read this entry on "stuff white people like" re ed hardy:
"To put this in proper perspective, Ed Hardy is so hated by white people that it cannot be worn ironically. This is no small feat. As it stands, the only other entries in this category are Nazi Uniforms, Ku Klux Klan Robes, and self-tanner."
http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2009/04/13/124-hating-people-who-wear-ed-hardy/
The 433 building is gorgeous. And I hope Gilmore will have a hand in renting out the retail in rowan and el dorado, as this block, with the addition of the spring st. park, could really expand the "core" of the historic core once active.
Kiki on October 10, 2009, at 09:22PM – #29
I think this store was at the wrong location, for the wrong demographic! Do your research Mr. Don Ed Hardy. Isn't that what businesses do when investing in such a project? To do your research and decide whether or not it will be profitable?
Also, you were much more respected as an artist when you did only did tattoos. Mass producing your designs on overpriced t-shirts is obnoxious.
leopard on October 13, 2009, at 05:22PM – #30
leopard,Ed Hardy rocks stop hating bitches.
dave on October 13, 2009, at 06:36PM – #31
Glad to see it go!
Joe on October 13, 2009, at 07:20PM – #32
Kiki, lots of businesses fail even when they do research. Look how many businesses have tanked downtown in the last two years.
Mr. Cartoon has mass produced plenty of his tattoo designs onto clothing and toys. Has he also lost respect as an artist, according to you?
shutthef---up on October 19, 2009, at 11:27AM – #33
i honestly think everyone should do their research. 1)Don Ed Hardy has nothing to do with the clothing line, infact, he is in a lawsuit with designer, christian audigier. The reason the store was closed, was in fact a break in. if all of their product is being stolen by crackheads and rehab members, why would the store stay open? and whats with the opening soon sign? what a mess.