Developer Rick Caruso's $400 million open-air mall at the Santa Anita Park race track may be stiff competition for retailers at Westfield Shoppingtown. City leaders hope the two malls can coexist.
The temporary shutting down of horse racing at Santa Anita Park, due to drainage issues associated with its Cushion Track, has slowed food, beverage and merchandise sales on site. The City of Arcadia, which receives a portion of each ticket sold, has cause for concern.
Westfield Group expects to complete its second expansion project at Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita in three years -- an $85 million, 185,000 square feet wing that would convert the mall into a cross between a traditional indoor mall and an outdoor shopping center.
Macy's will relaunch at more than 800 sites nationwide, after parent company Federated Department Stores acquired May Department Stores in August 2005. The Robinsons-May in Arcadia became property of the Westfield Group and plans for the site have not been announced.
Arcadia recognized as "Most Business Friendly" for its mix of a strong local economy, well-known attractions, and responsive city hall workers, at the Eddy Awards, presented by Los Angeles County Economic Development, in the category of city with population less than 68,000. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 13, November 16, 2017.
H & M, a fashion retailer, will open a store at Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita on December 14, 2006. The store will have fashions for men, women, teens, and lingerie.
Arcadia City Council approves $70,000 to help the Downtown Business Association set up a business-improvement district. The district would tax commercial property owners to revitalize the area.
Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita has adopted a system that allows shoppers to use their cell phones or Internet to check for items available at the mall before going there. The search is powered by NearbyNow.
Downtown Arcadia businesses create "Community Benefit District." Each business owner would pay extra in property taxes to go into a fund to better market the area to customers and visitors. With the Gold Line Station at North First Avenue and East Santa Clara Street scheduled to open in 2015, efforts to help brand the area have been fast-tracked.
Swim Spot boutique, a swimwear retailer store, leasing a short-term "pop-up" space at Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall, is spotlighted here. If things go well, Swim Spot will likely sign a longer term lease.
Downtown Arcadia business owners establish a Community Benefit District, mandating they each pay an annual assessment on their property taxes to fund marketing programs and activities in hopes of bringing more people to the area. It is called a Property-Based Business Improvement Model. It is a private-sector initiative that bills local businesses by the same criteria used in Old Pasadena--according to their frontage, lot size and scope of any buildings on a given property. 60% of downtown Arcadia owners chose the plan, the result of a three year effort.
End of an era--Colonial Pharmacy in Arcadia succumbs to a difficult economy. Arcadia's oldest pharmacy, Colonial Pharmacy, which has been serving the community since 1939, will be closing. Owner Mark Burstyn (photo) has worked there since October 1990.
Earthlink offers free phone calls and Web surfing at the Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita through December 30 as a way to introduce consumers to its new Internet telephone service.