Author: realejuicey

Hawthorne Plaza – ghost town

Posted on By realejuicey

  Hawthorne Plaza’s California history. Development and Opening (1969-1977): The Hawthorne Plaza, Los Angeles County’s 32nd mall, opened in 1977 after a period of planning and construction beginning in 1969. Initially conceived as an open-air complex, it was redesigned as a fully enclosed mall, featuring 835,000 leasable square feet, 130 stores, and three anchor stores (Broadway, Montgomery Ward, and JCPenney). Early Success and Decline (1977-1990s): While initially popular, the mall experienced a decline in the 1980s and 1990s. Contributing factors included economic downturn in the area (due to aerospace job cuts), socioeconomic shifts, increased competition from other malls, and rising crime rates. Closure and Failed Redevelopment Attempts (1990s-2018): The mall’s decline accelerated with the closure of its anchor stores (starting with Broadway in 1995). It officially closed in 1999. Numerous redevelopment plans were proposed over the years (including a mixed-use complex), but none came to fruition. The site was used for filming various150

sketchers

Manhattan Beach – Whatever Happened To LA Gear= Sketchers?

Posted on By realejuicey

LA Gear, founded in 1983 by Robert Greenberg, Ernest Williams, and Stephen Williams, initially operated from Los Angeles, California. The company experienced rapid growth in the late 1980s, becoming the third-largest athletic shoe company in the United States by 1990. However, facing financial challenges, LA Gear consolidated its operations and relocated its headquarters to Santa Monica, California, in the early 1990s.   After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1998, LA Gear transitioned from manufacturing to focusing solely on licensing its brand for footwear, apparel, and accessories. As of 2025, LA Gear continues to operate as a licensor, with its headquarters based in Los Angeles, California.   Robert Greenberg, after departing from LA Gear in 1992, founded Skechers in Manhattan Beach, California. Initially, Skechers served as a distributor for Doc Martens footwear in the U.S. The company’s first headquarters was Greenberg’s Manhattan Beach condominium at 26th St. and The Strand.150

hawthorne-plaza-mall, 90501

Are Malls a Good Idea Anymore?

Posted on By realejuicey

   The American shopping mall, once a symbol of suburban prosperity and retail innovation, faces an uncertain future. With changing consumer preferences, the rise of e-commerce, and shifting demographics, many malls across the United States are struggling to survive. This analysis explores whether traditional shopping malls remain viable in today’s retail landscape. The Decline of American Malls The statistics paint a stark picture of mall decline. According to a 2023 report by Coresight Research, approximately 25% of America’s 1,000 remaining malls could close by 2025 (Forbes). This trend began before the COVID-19 pandemic but accelerated dramatically during and after it. Green Street Advisors, a real estate analytics firm, estimates that about 750 regional malls remained operational in 2023, down from roughly 2,500 in the 1980s (Retail Dive). Factors Contributing to Mall Decline 1. E-commerce Competition The rise of online shopping has fundamentally changed consumer behavior. Amazon and other e-commerce150