The End of an Era: Big Brand Names Jumping Ship Leave DTLA with Dampened Spirits

You win some, you lose some, and Downtown Los Angeles is proving to be no exception, with a string of recent major retail outlets shuttering their doors. However, DTLA possesses a unique energy and resilience, and will continue to thrive as a vibrant hub for residents and visitors alike, even if this list of recent closures seems to be dampening some downtown spirits.

The Grinch Who Stole Starbucks

The Grinch would have stolen a Christmas tradition in the Historic Core if Starbucks had chosen to close before the year 2024 was out. 

Still adding to the mayhem and loss of the beginning of the new year, Starbucks announced they were closing the second week in January, sparking a wave of mixed sentiments from DTLA locals.

When it opened in 2010, this centrally located spot of Starbucks on 6th and Spring seemed a perfect testament to modernization, bringing in a bold brand name to complement the old-age mom-and-pops that surrounded the area.

For locals and visitors, it became a beloved pit stop for those exploring DTLA, offering a caffeine fix. But just as many will mourn the loss of their peppermint lattes, others aren’t surprised the doors shuttered and are looking forward to something new.

Of all the Starbucks locations, 6th and Spring seemed to have the lion’s share of bad luck. Vagrancy and safety concerns had long seen management cutting off access to the bathroom and electric outlets covered, denying guests Wi-Fi in the years that followed.

The straws that broke the caramel camel’s back: numerous back-to-back riots that led to broken windows, stolen property, and frayed nerves, including random acts of violence like the October 2023 stabbing where both victim and suspect lost their lives in front of dozens of witnesses.

Soon after the closure, the Starbucks brand announced they would no longer offer free Wi-Fi, restrooms, or charging stations for non-paying customers at any Starbucks locations, ending years of welcomes for non-paying visitors.

While some locals weren’t exactly heartbroken—“Starbucks “is a bit too corporate for my taste,” remarked one resident, “I’ll be heading to Verve or Bohemian Coffee, or Tilt, instead”— Speculation is already rife about what will occupy the space next. Will it be a trendy new cafe or perhaps something entirely different? Only time will tell. 

Saying Goodbye to Macy’s at The Bloc

Media announcements published Macy’s closing over 150 stores began in 2022, but downtown didn’t bat an eye until finding out recently the Macy’s at the Bloc was one of the locations slated for closure, ripping a tear through the fabric of DTLAs retail empire. 

Formally known as Broadway Plaza, a landmark development opened in 1973. Since then, the location has seen significant transformations. Rebranded as Macy’s Plaza in 1996, it underwent a major renovation in 2015, emerging as The Bloc, with an evolution of modern amenities like LA Fitness, Starbucks, Metro, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

After withstanding the test of time, and numerous days of reconstruction, sources say the store, which, like many others in the chain, has suffered from low in-store sales, employee shortages, and theft.

In 2024, downtown Macy’s fans saw a gradual breakdown beginning with the cosmetic section in early December of 2024 and should expect to see a full store closure by March of 2025. After that, our nearest opportunity to shop in-store at Macy’s will be in Glendale. 

No More Guerrilla Tacos

Located on the industrial corner of 7th and Mateo in the Arts District, the end of January approaches, and Downtowners will be lining up one last time to savor the magic of Guerrilla Tacos.

The vibrant space, decorated with colorful murals, managed somehow to mix fine dining with casual taquería vibes in its quaint stand-alone brick and mortar, along with coffee and cocktails creating a spicy salsa revolution, with one of the first sit-down taquerías to truly embrace a gourmet farm-to-table approach.

The decision to close was not taken lightly. With the pandemic, rising costs, staffing shortages, and two back-to-back burglaries in 2024, bad luck seemed to be hitting the business blow after blow.

Brittney Valles, the co-owner of Guerrilla Tacos, stated in an announcement on social media, “Now that it’s our time to say goodbye, all I feel is pride in what we did for the last seven years.”

It’s gonna be a real bummer to see Guerrilla Tacos go. They truly redefined what a gourmet taco could be.

Another Curtain Call for Broadway

The classic skateboard and surf icon Vans has closed its doors on Broadway in Downtown Los Angeles.

Opened in February 2020 next to the Rialto Theatre, the 11,500 sq. ft. space, dubbed “House of Vans,” was a flagship store, showcasing the brand’s history and community engagement. Occupying three floors of the historic Singer Building, it featured work from local makers, a wide range of Vans footwear, apparel, and accessories, and became DTLA’s number one host for skate culture events.

Vans’ arrival in DTLA coincided with a surge in sneaker retail and hope for a reinvented Broadway. Adidas, Nike, Foot Locker, and Skechers have all opened stores in the area, creating a vibrant hub for footwear enthusiasts.

No reason was given to the public for the closure; however, from the protests of George Floyd in 2020 to the Dodgers’ World Series riots in October 2024, besides Vans and Adidas, all have been looted. Perhaps Vans may have simply decided to cut their losses before any potential future incidents could occur.

Author: Jamie Herrera

Writer l Father of many | Master of none l events@dtla-weekly.com