Long Beach Officials Delay Demolition of Longtime Cambodian Supermarket

A group of Long Beach businesses are on a gentrification rollercoaster ride. After operating for decades, Cambodian grocer K H Supermarket and Poly Burger learned on November 20 that a developer planned to demolish their buildings. Local outrage ensued, and as of Thursday, the Long Beach Planning Commission delayed any discussion of the development until January.

The proposed demolition will impact a number of restaurants, including La Lune Restaurant, Babette Bakery, and Twenty Four-Seven Donut shop, among others. According to the Long Beach Post, the building’s property management company approached business owners on November 30, but only after learning about the developer meeting with the Planning Commission, who wants to replace the buildings with housing and retail development that includes a drive-thru.

Businesses felt blindsided after receiving such short notice. But when the Long Beach community heard about the change, officials listened. Mayor Robert Garcia suggested the rapid move was bad form, and would recommend a Planning Commission postponement if the owner of the property did not work with the affected businesses. The Planning Commission abruptly rescheduled the meeting for January 17. The Long Beach Press Telegram reported that Hany Malak of McKently Malak Architects, Inc. will now meet and work with the tenants before meeting with the Planning Commission.

K H Supermarket sells more than groceries — there’ a ready-to-eat section that acts as a local favorite for quick meals. And Poly Burger might a record for selling hamburgers, milkshakes, and ice cream to Long Beach Polytechnic High School students.

K H Supermarket. 915 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90813.

• Long Beach consideration of project that would demolish Poly Burgers, other staples postponed at the last minute [Press Telegram]
• The 17 Essential Long Beach Restaurants, 2018 Edition [ELA]