This story was updated today. Village Footwear is closing at the end of July.Â
Jamba Juice is now closed and this week we learned that Z Pizza is closing on Sunday. We also heard that Village Footwear is closing at the end of July, after 19 years on Larchmont. It seems the rents for all these businesses have escalated beyond the point where it makes sense to stay in their current location.
We’ve been told that the rash of summer closings is a matter of timing rather than some grand design to clear the street of beloved favorites. Apparently a number of leases came due in June. In some cases, the rents doubled. Retail space on Larchmont rents have climbed as high as $10-12 per square foot compared with $3-5 per square foot downtown or on La Brea. In every case, higher rents has been cited as the reason these businesses are closing.
According to the leasing agent, the Jamba Juice location is close to being rented but details on the new tenant can’t be disclosed at this time. The same is true for the old Crumbs, Pickett Fences and Hans Custom Optik spaces. Calls to owner of 227 N Larchmont have not been returned but the permits show a change of use from office to retail and office.
Fortunately, not every business that has moved has been shuttered. Pickett Fences relocated across the street and Hans Custom Optik moved up the block. It’s always a good time to support the retailers you love. Â Sadly, now’s the time to say good-bye to the Z Pizza and Village Footwear who have served us for many years. Good luck to all the employees who will be out looking for work.
So terribly sad. Twirl/Juices also closed. I just went there this evening to find it also shuttered. I moved to the Larchmont area six years ago, and I’ve seen so many things change. Also, the lovely little shop Sage is closing. Unique places, going. Sad.
I use to love Larchmont. Now it makes me sad to be there.
I was just about to order a gluten free Vegan pizza from zPizza. So sad! My son is now 32. I used to let him walk to Jamba Juice a lot from Rossmore when he was just 10. So sad! Nothing in life is certain except change!