LOS ANGELES-Walmart Neighborhood Markets, Urban Radish and Smart & Final Extra have opened new grocery outlets in the downtown area, continuing the area's renaissance for the increasing residential population.

Leading the parade of new grocers is Urban Radish, which opened July 4 in the Arts District. The 8,200-square-foot store is an upscale, boutique store that offers fresh produce and meat, a sandwich stand and specialty cheeses.

Next up is Smart & Final Extra, which is set to open on Thursday. The 24,000-square-foot store will debut at 845 S. Figueroa St. near Staples Center. The store offers traditional supermarket fare and some bulk items found in larger Smart & Final outlets.

The biggest surprise is the entrance next month of Walmart Neighborhood Markets to the downtown area. The 34,000-square-foot store will be located at 701 W. Cesar Chavez Ave. near Chinatown. It will be located on the ground floor of Grand Plaza, a 302-unit senior complex. Walmart has long tried to enter the Los Angeles city market, but has been thwarted by union, citizen and political protestors who fear its price-cutting, anti-union practices and potential affects on smaller retailers. The new addition to downtown by Walmart marks the sixth Neighborhood Market in Los Angeles County.

The new markets join the existing Ralph's Fresh Fare, which has been in downtown for six years, and City Target, which opened last October and has a grocery section.

As previously reported by GlobeSt.com, a new Walmart Neighborhood Market will become the anchor tenant of the revamped Hawaiian Gardens Town Center.