South LA Center Enjoys Happy Holiday Sales

LOS ANGELES-While owners of some Southland shopping centers are complaining about slow holiday sales, a new project in the city’s urban core is bustling with business and breaking even its own optimistic sales projections.

The development is Chesterfield Square, near the intersection of Slauson and Western avenues. It’s the first retail center to be opened in more than a decade in South-Central LA, a long-neglected part of the city where more than 85% of local residents are either African-American or Hispanic.

The 240,000-sf project is anchored by a Home Depot, which opened its doors in late July, and by a Food-for-Less supermarket, which opened in the fall. A Home Depot spokesperson says sales at the chain’s Chesterfield Square outlet are running more than 30% ahead of the company’s original projections, while Food-for-Less says its new store is off to a record start.