Pasadena Restaurant Update

Kingston Cafe

Coming out of hiatus, Kingston Cafe (located next to Saladang on Fair Oaks) recently installed an updated sign to reflect their come back

Mama Edda’s Gourmet Pizza

Mama Edda's Pizza from Michigan will offer "Chicago-style pizza with original Scilian recipes"

Mama Edda's Pizza will take over the former Manny's Pizza space in Old Pasadena

Blue Fish Pasadena

Tani Sushi is now Blue Fish Pasadena in Old Pasadena

“IX Tapa Cantina”

Fred's Mexican Cafe was purchased and will be changing concepts soon

Fred's Mexican Cafe will be closing down and will reopen as a new "cantina" concept

Mezbaan Indian Cuisine

Mezbaan Indian Cuisine is expanding by annexing part of the former La Maschera space next door

Formerly reported as Seattle's Best Coffee taking over this part of the former La Maschera space, it is actually now Mezbaan that is building out the space and annexing it as part of their restaurant. Seattle's Best Coffee may still open up next door in the other half of the La Maschera space

Creme De La Crepe Cafe

Creme De La Crepe Cafe has put up their signage and is actively building out their space

Located in Mills Place Alleyway, Creme De La Crepe Cafe is actively being built out and should open in the next few months

Sugar Fix Cupcakes

Sugar Fix Cupcakes is subleasing from Listone Giordano and will be their first retail store

Sugar Fix Cupcakes will be opening in Old Pasadena at the corner of Green and Raymond

Miche Bakery

Miche Bakery (as in Euro Pane Bakery) is being built out inside the Montana Residences. There may be outdoor seating

Miche Bakery is being built out inside the Montana Residences

Miche Bakery under construction

Miche Bakery is affiliated with Euro Pane down the street on Colorado

Miche Bakery should open by the end of the year

Raymond Renaissance Update

The corner of the brand new Raymond Renaissance condos is now “98% completed.” The sidewalk in front of the Raymond Renaissance condos was being redone and a new tree was slated to be planted on the corner as well. All that’s missing is the new tree (a new tree grate has been installed in the sidewalk) and the upcoming BLD restaurant taking the corner space. The new tree should be here sooner than the restaurant (I hope). I passed by yesterday and saw that the BLD space is definitely being built out. I hope it will be able to open by winter of this year.

The sidewalk construction on the corner of the Raymond Renaissance is now finished

A few weeks ago, the sidewalk was still under construction

Bike Storage Added to Gold Line Memorial Park Station

Some exciting news for the growing number of bike riders in LA. The Gold Line Memorial Park Station recently added bike storage (Del Mar Station already has bike storage available). This would come in very handy for those who may live just a little too far away to walk to the station but would still use the station for possibly commuting to work if they could bike to the station and store it for the day. There are 14 spaces available and I hope this helps encourage people to get out of their cars!

Newly added bike storage at the Memorial Park Gold Line Station

14 spaces are available to store bikes

Gold Bug Expansion Completed

The swap that took place this month between Gold Bug and the watch repair shop has successfully completed. Gold Bug, which sells an eclectic collection of esoteric and artistic objects, has made a substantially positive impact to Union Street by providing pedestrians “more to look at” as they walk by. Having another strong business on the street helps Union Street become more active and relevant to Old Pasadena shoppers.

In the short time I was in front of the store to photograph it, almost every single group or person that passed by was compelled to stop and look in at the window displays. The interesting objects in the store really added something nice to look at and made Union Street feel more “alive” (even at night). With more space(s) directly adjacent to the new watch repair shop on the other side (currently occupied by the owner’s, One Colorado, management office), I couldn’t help but think how wonderful it would be to have another one or two great shops like Gold Bug occupying those spaces.

Perhaps One Colorado will continue with their original plan, which is to eventually relocate their management office elsewhere and rent out the space they are currently in to other businesses. It would be a win-win for everyone, both One Colorado and the pedestrians who shop in Old Pasadena.

Gold Bug finishes their annex of adjacent retail space

Passerbys are compelled to stop and look at Gold Bug's interesting collection of eclectic objects

This couple spent a good deal of time perusing the window displays

Gold Bug has doubled in size and has made a substantially positive impact to Union Street. More strong businesses are needed on Union Street to make it truly active.

Debeuco Opens on Colorado Blvd. in Old Pasadena

The fashion retail store Debeuco has finally opened on Colorado Blvd. in the heart of Old Pasadena in the former Z Gallerie space. Selling mostly trendy apparel and accessories such as True Religion denim and Prada sunglasses, Debeuco is a welcome addition to this stretch of Colorado.

The interior space has been kept mostly “raw” leaving most of the beautiful brick walls exposed. The store design is simple and easy to navigate, and the second floor that used to sell furniture as part of Z Gallerie has been converted to office space for Debeuco. All in all, this could fill in a niche for shoppers looking for higher-end fashion in Old Pasadena.

Debeuco opens on Colorado Blvd. in Old Pasadena

Much of the beautiful brick walls have been left exposed

Designer sunglasses

Funky wall art displays a montage of fashion trends

Debeuco sells both women's and men's apparel

Store front facing Colorado Blvd.

“Quadrupel” Coming Soon to Old Pasadena

Straight from the horse’s mouth. I spoke to someone related to the new owner as workers were actively building out the former Siena space on Union Street. What I was told before was that the new concept replacing Siena would be a “Welsh pub,” but now I’m being told it’s a “French/Belgian restaurant/pub.” Being that the guy who told me was related to the new owner, I’m going to go with what he said.

And he also said the new restaurant/pub will be called “Quadrupel.” They’re hoping to open within the next several months.

With Gold Bug expanding and Pop Champagne getting busier and busier, I’m hoping that Quadrupel will continue to help add more vibrancy onto Union Street.

"Quadrupel" is replacing Siena

Ideas for Pasadena – Add Planter Benches to South Lake Avenue

While wandering through the very cute Riviera Village area of Redondo Beach, I saw this unique planter that also acted as a bench for pedestrians to sit on. The style of the planter and palm species reminded me immediately of South Lake Avenue and I thought about the many possibilities for this exact planter to be placed strategically throughout South Lake Avenue where pedestrians could sit and enjoy the strolling atmosphere that the South Lake Avenue district is now beginning to offer again.

As South Lake Avenue continues to develop a stronger “café scene,” the addition of more attractive public seating will help create a truly wonderful place where people come to shop and relax.

This unique "planter bench" in Redondo Beach would fit in perfectly in Pasadena as well (esp. South Lake Avenue area)

Baskin Robbins Coming to Old Pasadena

What used to be the jewelry store called Sixty East Gallery next to Jamba Juice in Old Pasadena will now be the third Baskin Robbins ice cream store in Pasadena. A notice of non-responsibility is taped to the front door of the retail space and a franchisee of Baskin Robbins will be starting (if not already) build-out of the space sometime in the future.

Soon you’ll be able to get your Baskin Robbins ice cream, Jamba Juice smoothie, and Piccomolo gelato all on the same block. Oh, the choices!

A former jewelry store will be converted to a Baskin Robbins ice cream store in Old Pasadena

A notice of non-responsibility states (inside red circle I put in) that Baskin Robbins franchise is the new store owner

Restaurant Update

Some updates around Pasadena pertaining to your taste buds.

Green Street Tavern in Old Pasadena is annexing the former Fitzsu specialty shop and expanding its space to accommodate more diners

A little change in direction as the former Seoul Bros. Korean BBQ will now be Cham Korean Bistro near South Lake Avenue on Cordova

The owner of Euro Pane Bakery will be opening up another bakery concept in the Montana Residences across from Paseo Colorado

The area around the columns may be used for outdoor seating for diners in a new concept from the owner of Euro Pane Bakery

The sign is up and the space is actively being built out for Choza Mama in the former Hooters space in Old Pasadena

Westgate Update

The first phase of Westgate is chugging along steadily (thankfully!), and it’s definitely made some visual progress since the last update on this blog. At the rate the progress is going, it’ll probably be completely done by the end of this year. Then the second and third phases will follow as the economy improves. As a recap, the first phase will be completed as rentals and the second and third will probably be condominiums. I can’t wait to see how Westgate changes the dynamic of this part of Old Pasadena.

Westgate along Delacey with progress on facade

Looking south on Delacey

A more modern style seems to be what the first phase of Westgate will look like

Looking south on Delacey

Not much progress can be seen on this corner of Del Mar and Pasadena Ave. since the last update from several weeks ago

Looking north along Pasadena Ave.