Boutique Grocery Stores Continue to Grow

LOS ANGELES—Boutique grocery stores are continuing to penetrate urban market areas. The latest example, Lassen’s Natural Foods and Vitamins has signed a 12,000-square-foot lease at Wilshire La Brea, a new mixed-use complex in Miracle Mile. The new location is part of Lassen’s expansion in the Southern California market, and will be its 11th location.

“Lassen’s is our anchor, and it was really important to us as an amenity both to the community and to the residents,” Timothy Bower, CBRE SVP, tells GlobeSt.com. Bower represented the landlord, Essex Property Trust, in the transaction, while illi Commercial Real Estate represented Lassen’s. “The developer surveyed the residents in their projects throughout California, and the number one retail request they had was for a grocery store. So, this was at the top of our list,” Bower adds.