Co-opportunity Market Disappears From Culver City

Posted on April 21, 2024 by toddrickallen

This was certainly a surprise… I’m hearing from shocked readers that Culver City’s branch of classic health food store Co-opportunity Market has disappeared from their location at 8770 Washington Blvd. The Co-op began life in 1974 in Santa Monica, where it continues to exist. This location opened in 2017 and appeared to be tracking a more Erewhon vibe than its old school hippie predecessor. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ll keep watching the space to see what may develop.

(Thanks again, Andrew!)

The Independence Disappears From Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on November 19, 2023 by toddrickallen

I’m hearing from surprised readers who have noticed the permanently drawn curtains and lack of activity at Downtown Santa Monica’s neighborhood watering hole and eatery The Independence. The Independence has anchored the corner of 2nd and Broadway since 2014, when it replaced Buddha’s Belly. Sadly, for all intents and purposes, it appears that it has quietly disappeared. I’ll keep my eye on the space at 205 Broadway to see what may develop…

Health Nut Blessing Santa Monica, Culver City With Locations

Posted on February 28, 2023 by toddrickallen

The window paper at 1447 Lincoln Blvd. (corner of Broadway) in Santa Monica is announcing that a branch of Health Nut is taking over the space. Not sure what that is? Check with your friends who live in The Valley or The Southbay. Odds are, they’re huge fans of the celebrity fave that began as a vitamin store in 1988. They are known for their fresh, healthy sandwiches and salads with proprietary dressings that people go gaga for. Apparently, Culver City will soon be getting a branch as well at 8900 Venice Blvd #108.

See’s Candies Now Open In Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on November 22, 2022 by toddrickallen

Holiday pro tip… There’s one yearly tradition that many of us don’t relish: Standing in a long line at a local See’s Candies to buy essential gifts for hosts, coworkers, out-of-town relatives, and service folks. But this year, to ease the burden on Santa Monicans, See’s has opened a full size pop-up that practically no one know about yet. It’s on the ground floor of Santa Monica Place, near Nordstrom, and it promises to save you a lot of time. You’re welcome.

Monty’s Good Burger Landing In Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on September 7, 2022 by toddrickallen

Congratulations, Good People of Santa Monica, exceptional plant-based burgers are heading your way! There’s a small hiring notice on the front of the erstwhile home of Thai Dishes on Broadway at 123 Broadway. It lets us know that popular plant-based Monty’s Good Burger is moving in. Monty’s has locations across LA and specializes in hand-breaded plant-based chicken sandwiches, fries, tots, shakes, and an artisanal vegan burger that is so good, it landed them a spot on Eater’s list of Essential Los Angeles Burgers.

The Original Thai Dishes Gets A New Home In Santa Monica

Posted on July 12, 2022 by toddrickallen

Ever since Argentinian steak house Malbec vacated the cavernous space at 2628 Wilshire, I’ve been keeping my eye on the location to see what would develop. Leased notices went up a while ago, but I could detect no movement… until now. An ABC application recently appeared on the front, spilling the beans that The Original Thai Dishes is setting up housekeeping (as opposed to the unrelated Thai Dishes on Broadway). According to a spokesperson, this not a second location for the classic Thai eatery, but rather a move from their current space at 19th and Wilshire.

Hermanito Coming To Santa Monica…

Posted on June 27, 2022 by toddrickallen

Some excellent sleuthing on the part of one of my readers (Thanks Helen!) uncovered the mystery of what has leased the former Swingers space at 802 Broadway (corner of Lincoln) in Santa Monica. She was able to discover a municipal application that reveals the name of the new business. Apparently, it is none other than a Sawtelle’s white-hot Mexican destination Hermanito. And this guy’s company is doing the design and consulting. Interesting…

Trader Joe’s Now Open Under Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on May 10, 2022 by toddrickallen

We all know that Downtown Santa Monica has seen a flurry of construction in recent years. I try to keep my eye on all the new developments, but this caught me totally by surprise. Did you know that there is now a subterranean Trader Joe’s hidden in the block on 5th St between Colorado and Broadway? I sure didn’t. Nevertheless, Trader Joe’s has opened their newest location at 500 Broadway about a week ago.

Tu Madre Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on January 14, 2022 by toddrickallen

Obica ended its LA run back in 2020. The Downtown Santa Monica location of the Italian mozzarella chain, at 606 Broadway Ste 100, has sat empty since at least January of that year. But that’s about to change. An ABC application has recently gone up on the space informing us that this will soon be a branch of Tu Madre. Tacos Tu Madre has four other locations across LA and specializes in creative Mexican food in bright, colorful surroundings.

Sharetea Coming To Downtown Santa Monica

Posted on November 12, 2021 by toddrickallen

It appears that Taiwanese boba brand Sharetea is continuing on its inexorable path to world domination. Signs are already up on the space just to the right of Joe’s Pizza at 113 Broadway announcing the impending arrival. Not sure how far off they are from opening, but they look close…

King & Queen Cantina Coming To West Hollywood

Posted on October 27, 2021 by toddrickallen

King & Queen Cantina appears to be on a mission to spread their signature brand of bawdy fun to Westside. It was last year when I told you that they were bringing a branch of the San Diego party chain to Santa Monica (it has since opened). Now they have their sites on West Hollywood. Signs are already up on the former Tortilla Republic space at 616 N Robertson announcing their impending arrival. Expect a “party, out of the box” with “Latin flavors” set in Dia de los Muertos decor.

Pink Daisy Cafe In Santa Monica…

Posted on September 11, 2021 by toddrickallen

Were you wondering what was going on in the tiny space at 321 Santa Monica Blvd? The location has been a number of different incarnations over the years from coffee shops to, most recently, a boba spot. Now it has transformed into something called the Pink Daisy Cafe. As it turns out, Pink Daisy is a sister restaurant to Santa Monica’s perennially favorite brunch eatery Blue Daisy. Now you know…

The Santa Monica Whaler Set To Make A Splash In Downtown SM…

Posted on September 8, 2021 by toddrickallen

The Venice Whaler has been the go-to destination in Venice since 1944. Now they are bringing their beachy vibes and fish tacos to the Good People of Santa Monica. Ma’Kai, on the corner of Broadway. and Ocean Ave. in Downtown, closed up shop during the pandemic. A number of months ago plywood went up on the front, and eventually a help wanted notice hinted at what the new bar/eatery was going to be. But now it’s official: Recently installed signs declare that this will indeed be a new outpost of the legendary Beach party spot, The Santa Monica Whaler.

New Dining/Drinking In Downtown Santa Monica…

Posted on April 10, 2021 by toddrickallen

Check out what they built in the middle of The Third Street Promenade, between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd. There’s a new beer garden operated by popular local watering hole West 4th & Jane. And just to the north of that is a new oyster bar brought to you by nearby restaurant The Independence. What a great idea!

“Cafe & Bakeshop” Coming To Santa Monica

Posted on August 5, 2020 by toddrickallen

I love a good teaser campaign… We can tell that a new cafe and bakery is on the way to 2024 Broadway in Santa Monica because of the prominent banner and window display. They just neglected to tell us the name of the new spot, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see what it will be called. Apparently we can expect breakfast, lunch, European pastries and cakes.

Los Tarascos Bringing Taco Tuesday To Downtown Santa Monica Soon

Posted on April 12, 2020 by toddrickallen

The diminutive space at 725 Broadway in Santa Monica has seen its share of tenants, the most recent being an açaí bowl spot that closed over a year ago. Window covering is informing us that a new venture called Los Tarascos is moving in. The windows promise taco tuesdays and daily hand made tortillas.

What’s Going On At Obica In Santa Monica?

Posted on January 22, 2020 by toddrickallen

I’ve been carefully watching the branch of international Italian brand Obica at 606 Broadway in Downtown Santa Monica. Recently, the restaurant went silent, and the shades have been pulled down. A sign on the door promises a renovation, new management, and a new concept… all by February 10th. But things look a bit dodgy: While I was checking for progress, a self-identified former employee approached me and told me that the staff were unceremoniously sacked with no promise of rehire. His assumption is that Obica Mozzarella Bar is permanently gone. A cursory glance inside the front door reveals that nothing has been touched and no work has commenced. I’ll keep watching but we’ve seen this kind of thing before…

Enso Tea/Acai Now Closed In Santa Monica

Posted on February 7, 2019 by toddrickallen

The diminutive space at 725 Broadway is hard pressed to keep a tenant. In the distant past it was Bowl of Heaven, followed by Enso Tea/Acai. But the acai craze is beginning to look a little tired lately, and Enso has vacated the location. I’ll keep watching the troubled spot to see what may develop.

Toddrickallen

The Westside at Its Finest

Tag Archives: Broadway