What happened to Melrose Avenue?

Among the funky boutiques, tattoo parlors and foodie restaurants that line eclectic Melrose Avenue, there's a new sight that has longtime store owners and shoppers alarmed: a glut of empty storefronts and for-lease signs. Since the recession began, shoppers have lamented the closure of some of their favorite businesses, such as longtime vintage haunt Aaardvarks and Italian restaurants Louise's Trattoria and All' Angelo. Remaining merchants have complained about light foot traffic and weak sales, prompting them to slash prices to move inventory. Has the once-trendy Melrose Avenue shopping area lost its cachet? Read more in today's Business section:

Photo: Shoppers are scarce and stores are vacant along Melrose Avenue, once a destination shopping area that attracted locals and tourists from around the world. (Michael Robinson Chavez, Los Angeles Times / August 25, 2010)

 

Comments

[mE]

Melrose is a tourist trap that resells cheap clothing from downtown's fashion district for huge markups. The only true cachet that it had was a hub for people who make culture, many of whom are priced out of the neighborhood and have moved to East Hollywood/Echo Park.