Westwood Village might be revitalized as new wave of fancy chain store come in. There will be no more empty storefronts if this will happen.
LA Curbed says it has been awhile since sleepy Westwood Village "has a collection of empty storefronts." It has been noted that the place used to be "Once a high-end shopping destination and entertainment hub (more than a dozen movie theaters!) back in the 1970s." There were several attempts that the neighborhood tried to get its groove but then to no success.
Perhaps, despite its many good qualities as a commercial hub, it is quite a challenge to bring back its vibrance after that "1988 killing of a young woman caught in the crossfire of a gang-related shooting."
Based on report, "the latest boost to the neighborhood is being attributed to one company, Topa Management Company, which owns a quarter of Westwood Village's properties." The company has been trying to give a new lease of life the Village "by curating the list of tenants who come into their spaces."
The objective of this endeavor is not to restore "the old flashy entertainment destination" that it used to be. The goal is to put up "a collection of restaurants and stores" that can attract "locals in full force and stay in business for years to come."
On a different note, Daily Bruin reports that "complicated city regulations have made it extremely difficult for local businesses to get the licensing required to have basic forms of entertainment like live music and dancing."
This strange rules or ordinances must be put to end if the goal mentioned earlier needs to be achieved. It would be difficult for the neighborhood to invite investors when guests are turned off with the bizarre polices. For example, ballroom dancing is prohibited in hotels. Now as the report says, "until someone decides to make some meaningful updates to the city plan and other ordinances, nothing is likely to change." Thus the attempt to revitalize Westwood Village would be futile.
What do you think needs to be change in Westwood Village so that the neighborhood's business industry will be revitalized? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
