Korean Slate

Rainy day in Koreatown, though there was a break in the late afternoon when the sun even came out. Passed by the strip mall on 6th and Western to check up on Yogo Zone when I noticed that Mr. Coffee was shuttered.

Asked a Korean woman who seemed to be a worker in the area and she said that, yeah, she had heard that Mr. Coffee had gone out of business. Shocker!

I went over to the door where there was a sign with faded writing. Could barely make it out. It said something like: “From January 4th, Mr. Coffee will be closed. Thank you so much for your patronage all those years.”

This is the same strip mall where Caketown Garden closed in October. That retail space is still empty. If you’re interested, the number is (323) 663-3232. I didn’t notice any for-lease sign at Mr. Coffee.

Just last week, I saw an eviction notice at the cleaners about three blocks north on the same side of Western Avenue.

Yogo Zone seems to be surviving, what with free wi-fi and novel offerings almost every week… Meanwhile, Iceberry at the car wash also about three blocks north of the same side of the street has come under new management.

Solair Wilshire across 6th Street on Western Avenue has openings lined up. In fact, Reboot Style has already soft-launched and will have its grand opening in February, as will Aroma Cafe next to it. Hair Day on the floor above will open next week. Around the corner on the same ground floor of the Solair, Frutation by Edible Arrangements opened last week. Cindy Cho’s Aveda Salon has been open since October.

Customer traffic? Well, that’s another story…