Two Years Ago: Downtown's Ralphs Opens

By Eric Richardson
Published: Monday, July 20, 2009, at 11:20AM

Ribbon Cutting Eric Richardson [Flickr]

Elected officials, business leaders and Ralphs representatives cut a ribbon outside the new Downtown store on July 20, 2007.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A few minutes after 11:30am on July 20, 2007, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and Councilwoman Jan Perry joined a host of dignitaries to cut the ribbon as Ralphs opened its 50,000 square foot Fresh Fare store at 9th and Flower.

Downtown's first new grocery store in 50 years, the opening was the year's biggest story.

The store blew through initial sales projections, becoming one of the highest performers in the Ralphs chain. The store featured the chain's first catering department, and the deli immediately did a stellar number with lunch specials.

Two years in, it's almost hard to remember Downtown life pre-Ralphs. While it was hard to believe the hype the opening received before it opened, it would be easy to argue that it has lived up to it.

At the same time, though, Downtowners continue to clamor for more options. Ralphs' prices, particularly at the deli, are certainly high. Residents have looked toward the planned Fig Central and Grand Avenue Projects, as well as open space at 7+Fig, as sites for a potential alternative like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods.

It's hard to believe that the crowds and festivities that surrounded the Ralphs opening were really two years ago. When we look back and put together a timeline of Downtown's rebirth, July 20, 2007, will certainly get a circle.

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Comments

1
The Metro Local writes:

A Trader Joe's would be such an asset downtown. It seems a perfect fit too, what with the small footprint of their stores, simplicity of their product lines enabling a centralized supply chain (minimizing trucks!), and their reputation as a neighborhood beacon. In the southland, I have always made the conscious effort to live near a TJ's. I hope that Downtown LA is the next TJ's 'hood, and I find myself guessing which vacant street-level retail space is already under contract...

# on Jul.20.2009 AT 12:50 PM
2
D writes:

Wouldnt that vacant space where the walgreens is suppose to go on 7th and grand be perfect for a Trader Joe's? Its right in the middle of downtown, Subway station close and within walking distance of most of DT LA.

# on Jul.20.2009 AT 02:04 PM
3
Don Garza writes:

It is quite ironic that Ralph's opened on the anniversary of the first moon landing... I can honestly say that it really happened and the footage is real....

Regardless, for Downtown it was a moon landing , considering we all were in amazement that we now have a grocery store..

# on Jul.20.2009 AT 03:10 PM
4
Bud Coffey writes:

Ralph's is the best. Find a lot of the same items I buy @ Whole Foods. Now a TJ's is a different story. When are they coming downtown? What a perfect fit for the both of us.

# on Jul.21.2009 AT 06:21 AM
5
sarah writes:

There's an article in Downtown News about this -- TJ's doesn't plan on coming here anytime soon, apparently: http://www.downtownnews.com/articles/2009/07/20/news/doc4a60f747e06ad371542616.txt

# on Jul.21.2009 AT 09:46 AM
6
JM writes:

From what I've heard, TJ's is happy with business the way it is. Everyone living Downtown drives out or rides out to other TJ locations anyhow, so why go through the trouble of opening a new location? Plus, I've heard that, if they open a store Downtown, it will likely impact all the stores in surrounding areas. I don't see them coming Downtown anytime soon, but I think Whole Foods would do well to move in and capture that market. In the meantime, I think Ralph's has made a great addition to the neighborhood. Yes, it's pricey, but it's convenient. Hard to remember what it was like before they opened the store...

# on Jul.21.2009 AT 11:29 AM
7
Vanzant writes:

The Ralphs is proof that businesses vastly underpredict the demand for shopping in downtown. That place is always busy. Target and Trader Joes/Whole foods should take a note.

# on Jul.21.2009 AT 11:38 AM
8
Jasmijn writes:

When I shop at Whole Foods, I'm impressed at the selection, but it always makes me feel like Ralph's prices are a bargain. I go to Ralph's regularly for most of our groceries, but Grand Central Market is the way to go for produce, as well as one of the many farmers' markets. Pity TJ isn't coming. Their line isn't quite what Ralph's or WF carries, and I tend to shop there to supplement what I buy here, but only if I'm going nearby anyway. I won't drive to Pasadena or wherever just to go to TJ's, and I'm probably not the only one. I think this is a shortsighted view on their part.

# on Jul.21.2009 AT 11:41 AM
9
Ravi writes:

Ralphs is a grand addition!

To combat pricing, I do purchase canned food and toiletries at Big Lots on 7th and fresh produce at Grand Central Market.

The amount of business is incredible from folks who travel to Downtown to work, but the needs are even greater for us who to do both, LIVE and WORK in Downtown. So many things ...

# on Jul.21.2009 AT 01:09 PM
10
The Metro Local writes:

I have several friends who are frustrated by the downtown parking garages which close too early, so that evening drive to the nearest TJ's or HoFoo is out of the question anyway. Fortunately for me and some others, my commute on the Gold Line has a stop at Fillmore in Pasadena, almost right across from Trader Joe's, and a stop at Del Mar, just a short walk down to HoFoo.

Also at Del Mar Station: if you show your Metro ticket at La Grande Orange you get a drink for $1. Gotta love the Gold Line!

# on Jul.21.2009 AT 01:15 PM
11
Jackson Cooper writes:

I buy most of my produce at one of the three main farmers markets during the week, but get my milk, meat, cheese, cereal etc. at Ralphs. The prices seem reasonable, especially when factoring in what I used to spend in gas money driving out to the Ralphs and/or Von's at 3rd and Vermont

I also hit the Downtown Ralphs first thing on a Saturday or Sunday morning, between 8 and 9 AM; it's very mellow at that hours, and a quick in and out

# on Jul.21.2009 AT 09:00 PM
12
vonnb writes:

Downtown is an easy opportunity for Fresh and Easy. @The Metro Local you are right. At 8th and Spring the lots close at sunset and its a pain in the ass to walk around the block. NCT folks continue to call management of Joes parking, but they do NOT respond. They could easily fix the auto gate opener and give monthly folks a remote. I constantly go down to meet female neighbors on the corner to make sure they are safe.

# on Jul.22.2009 AT 01:40 AM
13
JM writes:

I wonder if Whole Foods has any plans to open up a store Downtown?

# on Jul.27.2009 AT 04:38 PM

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