Pine Avenue is losing one of the few retailers it still has on its growing empty street.
After about 15 years downtown, Z Gallerie owner Joe Zeiden said Friday that he has put up for sale his 230 Pine Ave. building.
City officials apparently have been meeting with Zeiden to get the furniture and home accessories business owner to reconsider.
But it may be too late.
"It's gone south on that street," said Zeiden, who founded Z Gallerie in 1979 with Carole Malfatti and Mike Zeiden. "We're outta here."
Z Gallerie has 75 retail locations in 24 states including one outlet in Gardena.
After about 15 years downtown, Z Gallerie owner Joe Zeiden said Friday that he has put up for sale his 230 Pine Ave. building.
City officials apparently have been meeting with Zeiden to get the furniture and home accessories business owner to reconsider.
But it may be too late.
"It's gone south on that street," said Zeiden, who founded Z Gallerie in 1979 with Carole Malfatti and Mike Zeiden. "We're outta here."
Z Gallerie has 75 retail locations in 24 states including one outlet in Gardena.
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
The Pine Avenue shopping experience is now a disaster. By short-sightedly saturating the area with bars & restaurants at the expense of serious retail outlets, once again our city planners have failed. The crowd that has been drawn to downtown to drink & act like idiots has driven money from the area. Wake up! This is sad. Z Gallery has been a huge benefit & now they are leaving. Don't be surprised when others follow.
If you think for a second that the revitilization of downtown is bringing in less money than before the Pike was there, then you are quite misinformed. Sure, I'd love to see a business that his been there for years be able to flourish, but you are quite naive if you don't realize that the benefits have far outweighed the costs...
I heard a rumor from a reliable source that the city pays $12k/month to a private company to bring in businesses to the open retail space on Pine Ave. If this is true, it's time to cancel that contract because they are failing completely.
Like so many, I bought a condo down here based on all the big plans for this area and now this on top of closing the main library, acres of books, etc. What a mess this city is.