As LA’s Development Boom Continues, Some Locals are Feeling Left in the Dust

Losing the locals

A new development in Echo Park is riling up the locals, with The Eastsider reporting that the nearly-done Mohawk Collective site is being used as an excuse to draw in big international chains with little to no connection to the neighborhood. Among the confirmed new tenants for the Sunset Boulevard build-out are Starbucks, Chipotle, Habit Burger, and a vegan cinnamon roll shop.

In a recent round of public comments, the development team behind Mohawk Collective came under fire from folks who lived nearby and claim their needs aren’t being met — and their local flair is being undermined. It’s a challenge currently playing out in plenty of other neighborhoods as well, from West Adams to Boyle Heights to Highland Park, and speaks to a larger issue about sustainable long-term growth in some of the city’s hottest neighborhoods.

The Grand Central Market shakeup

Things are looking good for China Cafe, one of the most beloved Grand Central Market vendors that went down for a remodel weeks ago. The LA Times says things are coming along nicely, and drops a few details as to what one might expect once the stall returns.

Loqui to go

Love the freshly prepared flour tortillas at Loqui inside Culver City’s Platform project? Now you can get them to go, as the restaurant has begun bagging them up for takeaway consumption.

Hit the Coast

Headed to the Central Coast any time soon? You could do worse than stopping into Santa Barbara for food, as Food GPS has just updated their list of spots to try. Among them is Wildwood Kitchen, Corazon Cocina, and Bree’osh.

Waterside coffee

Great news for coffee fans, as Caffe Luxxe has expanded into both Malibu and Montecito, says Toddrickallen. The Pacific Coast Highway shop in Malibu isn’t open yet, but signage is already in place.

Roy Choi in El Segundo

The Whole Foods in El Segundo is where you’ll find Roy Choi tonight, as the Kogi BBQ/Chego/you-name-it chef cooks up some food and signs copies of his book L.A. Son starting at 5 p.m. The cost is $10 a head and will include food and drinks, with proceeds benefitting Women of Watts.

Japan’s new public initiative

There’s a big new multi-faceted Japanese tourism stop coming to Hollywood & Highland later this year, called Japan House. The idea is actually spread across two levels, with the third floor acting as a cafe, shop, and multimedia space to help spread the tourism message of Japan, while the fifth floor will canvass some 8,000 square feet of restaurant space featuring rotating Japanese chefs from across the ocean. Expect an opening in mid- to-late 2017, says the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.