> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Great Blight Way - URL: https://www.smdp.com/the-great-blight-way/ - Published: 2007-05-09T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T00:43:25.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Business, Downtown, #archive-import *Getting broke down on Broadway* DOWNTOWN With its string of boarded up storefronts and hastily posted “For Lease” signs, Broadway could become known as the Great Blight Way. While the Third Street Promenade continues to be a draw, those just west of the popular shopping district are experiencing a drastic drop-off in business due to a lack of foot traffic, evident by the line of storefronts in the 100 block of Broadway that have been sitting vacant for months. The owners of shoe stores, restaurants and hair salons have been hurt by the closure of Robinsons-May last year and the cold weather in the early part of the year that deterred visitors from walking down to the beach, instead turning their attention to the promenade and its wide variety of restaurants and retail. Rents as high as $6 per square foot haven’t helped either, leading some to question whether or not opening up shop in downtown — anywhere other than Third Street — is a good business decision. “Drawing in foot traffic is getting a lot harder, and I don’t know exactly why, but business is down anywhere from 10 to 15 percent this year,” said Gerardo Reyes, a “Paisano Partner” at Buca di Beppo on Second Street, just off Broadway. “It seems that the number of people in this area has decreased. If it hasn’t, they certainly aren’t coming here.” Businesses have been complaining for years about the lack of interest in those streets adjacent to the promenade, urging city officials to invest more resources into the surrounding blocks to make them more attractive. With the absence of a major anchor like Robinsons-May, and the slow death of Santa Monica Place, the problem seems to have only gotten worse. “That corner has had a difficult time of late,” said Rob York, a consultant for Bayside District Corp., a public-private management company that helps City Hall manage and promote downtown. “The challenge is you need strong corners to get the interior blocks working and the interiors have really been the toughest spots over the years, so it is really important to get that corner (on Second Street and Broadway) up and running and create that interest. “That area has really been a mixed bag.” Despite the struggles of opening a small businesses there, York believes the corner is ripe for success and should be helped by the arrival of a popular Beverly Hills-based restaurant, Buddha’s Belly, which will be located at the corner adjacent to Hotel Carmel and the former Caspian Grill. Signs for two frozen yogurt shops — Kiwiberri and Citrus Valley — and a pizza parlor were hanging above some of the store-fronts Tuesday, promising that they would be “coming soon.” > “Paisano Partner” — DRAWING IN FOOT TRAFFIC IS GETTING A LOT HARDER, AND I DON’T KNOW EXACTLY WHY, BUT BUSINESS IS DOWN ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 15 PERCENT THIS YEAR.” Gerardo Reyes, a at Buca di Beppo As for City Hall, staff is working on street improvements to Fourth and Second streets that are intended to increase pedestrian traffic and make the areas more lively, according to Andy Agle, director of housing and economic development. “If you look at the evolution of downtown, when we (remodeled) Third Street, it really was the focus of so much activity,” Agle said. “Over time, activity has expanded and certainly Fourth Street has a lot of energy there, so I think it will be a combination of factors, including the renovation of the mall and other city projects.” In addition to the streetscape improvements, City Hall is planning to remodel several downtown parking structures, including Structure No. 6 on Second Street, and with that build more street-oriented storefronts on the ground floors. Macerich Co., the Santa Monica-based owner of the mall, is in the process of remodeling the Frank Gehry-designed structure, with the goal of creating an open-air mall that better connects with the promenade and the Civic Center. Even if the remodel is a success, there still is no guarantee that it will bring more business to Second Street and Broadway. There are some who believe that a new mall may actually distract even more people. “I really think it’s a Catch-22,” said Roy Zia, owner of Saints Studio, a hair salon on Broadway across the street from the mall. “If they leave the mall as it is, we would probably continue to suffer, but if they remodel it, there’s no telling what would happen. People may not even give us a second look.” Zia and others suggested more signage alerting visitors to the businesses and attractions on Second and Fourth streets. Others seem content to let word of mouth take its course. Most everyone agrees something needs to be done. “There really seems to be no love,” said Heather Olson, a manager at Jinky’s Cafe on Second Street. “Maybe we should just post more fliers or something.” Zia, who has operated Saints on Broadway for 14 years, said there really is no secret to success. “You just have to be willing to work your ass off,” Zia said. *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 9, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050907.pdf?ref=smdp.com)