We had to go to Santa Monica to look into the origins of the Victorian on Main St, but we are back. Here is some of what has been happening in Ocean Park while we were away. As always change - we lost some long-time institutions.
Pico Blvd
302 Pico @ 3rd. After years of construction, yoga chain Sweat Theory never opened. Their incomplete buildout has been removed, and the building is for lease again.
316 Pico @ 3rd. Family owned, El Texate serving authentic Oaxacan food for more than 30 years disappeared.
530 Pico @ 6th. The global film industry converges on Ocean Park this week (Oct 31 - Nov 5) with the American Film Market (AFM) headquartered at Le Meridien Delfina. With closure of Loews IFTA has struck a multi-year arrangement with Le Meridien Delfina.
Lincoln Blvd
2102 Lincoln @ Grant. The Santa Monica Hotel has a colorful newly painted exterior.
2202 Lincoln @ Pacific. Bill’s Liquor is celebrating 60 years (1962 - 2023) in Ocean Park.
2218 Lincoln @ Strand. Plant based restaurant Satdha Thai Kitchen, having survived the Covid-19 shutdown, is celebrating 10 years in Ocean Park.
2316 Lincoln @ Kensington — In early 2022, Sahara Lotti, Iranian-American former screenwriter and actress, of DIY at-home eye lash extension company Lashify painted the iconic brick façade on the corner black but never occupied the building. The signage (and presumably Lashify) has gone.
2537 Lincoln @ Maple (Sunset Park). Residential developer Empire Property Group bought the large car wash and automotive site in December 2021 for $6.15 MM. The housing project is on hold, and a Rolling Greens garden store pop-up will open on the site.
2636 Lincoln @ Ocean Park. The MG Floor Covering / Abbey Carpet building is for sale. MG Floor Covering, in Ocean Park since 1978, is relocating.
2660 Lincoln @ Hill. Health & fitness people Camp LA, a branch of Tampa Bay based Camp, have taken over the used car dealer Pacific Luxury Motors site on the other (West) side of Lincoln for client parking use.
2903 Lincoln @ Ashland (Sunset Park). The 4-story, mixed-use Wilson is open. A branch of cult fave San Francisco bakery Tartine is set to occupy the ground floor. Tartine has five other bakeries in Los Angeles - Santa Monica, Sycamore, Silver Lake, West Adams, and Pasadena.
2947 Lincoln @ Pier (Sunset Park). British-themed watering hole Cock N’ Bull is being replaced by the 4th branch (after Santa Monica, Venice, and West LA locations) of Mexican restaurant Tacos Por Favor.
Main Street
1920 Main @ Bay. Global professional surf competition organizer World Surf League (WSL) on Main St since February 2015, is relocating to a newly renovated space in the South Bay. The building is for sale.
1921 Main Bay— Brighton Academy, recently opened (May 2023), is gone.
1925 Main @ Bay. European technique, nail art salon Paint Bar opens its second (after Culver City) store in the long-vacant space (Bangs bike shop) at the north end of Main St.
2001 Main @ Bay. After Circuit Works moved to 1837 Lincoln, the boarded-up front of the landmarked Dogtown property (2001-2009 Main St) became a target for Main Street bill posters. Now the building is for sale.
2400 Main @ Hollister. After 2 years behind a parking lot converted to outdoor dining, handbag designer SUSU is gone. Italian gourmet food people Zona Little Italy is moving into the space.
2435 Main @ Hollister. The former Salute Wine Bar at Edgemar people who came back as Tipsy Chef (with Brick + Mortar occupying the space in the time between) are gone.
2645 Main @ Ocean Park. Coffee shop Go Get Em Tiger Main St (with another Santa Monica location on Montana Ave) is “closed for renovations” but promises to re-open in 2024.
2665 (C) Main @ Hill. Permanent 14k gold jewelry store Love Weld replaces replica estate garden pot purveyors, Pennoyer Newman. Fastest growing and largest permanent jewelry retailer, Love Weld has locations across the United States.
2708 Main @ Hill. — Online comfortable clothing company Feat admitted defeat and closed their flagship store.
2718 Main @ Hill. Allen Pacheco Salon moved from Pier Ave to Main St, replacing Lorraine Color Bar.
2721 Main @ Hill. — After 18 months, athlete training facility Athletic Gaines is throwing in the towel.
2926 Main @ Kinney. Boisterous party destination since 1949, Circle Bar with a sleek bar, DJs, and a small, lively dance floor closed.