Ralphs Sets June Opening for Downtown Market
Ralphs Supermarkets executives have set a date in June for the opening of downtown Los Angeles’ first grocery store in 50 years.
The store has been considered the missing peg to downtown’s urban-renewal campaign, which has seen an estimated 10,000 new residents as a result of the loft boom downtown.
The urban dwellers, many of whom have moved into the Fashion District, will be able to shop the 50,000-square-foot store on 9th and Hope streets when the store is completed in June. The location is adjacent to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and within a half mile of the Fashion District, where residential projects such as Santee Village have sprouted up over the past couple of years.
Construction workers are finishing off the interior of the project, part of the Market Lofts building, which features 267 lofts and additional retail space.
The downtown Ralphs will contain a European- style market with a meat and seafood counter and prepared meals, including sushi, a soup station, and an olive and cheese bar to service the lunch crowd. The store will also contain a dry cleaner, pharmacy and florist.
“Ralphs and the Market Lofts are great additions to downtown’s South Park [district] and bring a much-needed amenity to our downtown neighborhoods,” said Los Angeles Councilwoman Jan Perry during a recent presentation.
—Robert McAllister
