Is the Westfield Topanga Village in Woodland Hills a sucess or failure? (2015, condos)

[annonymous0381]

Today I read an article in the Daily News that the westfield village is struggling and a cupcake store closed before Christmas. Hopefully this lovely shopping center just has to get the kinks out and it will be a successful shopping center.

Here is the daily news article
ConfeXion Cupcakes is first Village at Westfield Topanga retailer to close

[V8 Vega]

They charge for parking, need not say more.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by V8 Vega

They charge for parking, need not say more.

Westfield should remove paid parking to boost this malls business.

[elhelmete]

Costco is moving and IKEA is moving in. Free parking for the first 15 minutes.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by elhelmete

Costco is moving and IKEA is moving in. Free parking for the first 15 minutes.

Where is Costco moving to? An IKEA would be great at the village.

[Cream1]

Seems more like a big box haven than a "village."

[jr6035]

Originally Posted by elhelmete

Costco is moving and IKEA is moving in. Free parking for the first 15 minutes.

15 free minutes for a Costco? You can't go through the line where they check your receipt in 15 minutes

[JustMike77]

I live nearby and pass it all the time. It always seems to be packed, could be the restaurants. The paid parking is definitely a stupid idea and the parking structure is a nightmare. I won't be surprised if the stores play musical chairs going in and out of business. I'm not a Costco person, so I could care less about them. The good news is that it's really pretty compared to the vacant lots that were there for so long. Personally, I think the double-sized Topanga Plaza offers all the stores we really need. The real question on my mind is what are they going to do with the Promenade. It's always been a ghost town and once they move the AMC to the old Sears location it will be even deader except for, maybe, Maggiano's. I'm thinking condos on that site, we'll see. Botton line, The Village sure ain't the Grove.

[socal88]

I have been there a few times I while I think they have some solid restaurants, it's overall atmosphere isn't quite as nice as The Americana or The Grove. Compared to what else is in the Valley, it's a good looking shopping center, but I do think they will have some tenant turnover. I heard about how one restaurant spent many millions in its build out and I just can't imagine them surviving given the number of restaurant options.

Having an adjacent Costco is out of place though, and it detracts from trying to create a high end shopping center atmosphere.

Westfield likely would have benefited from making the shopping center a bit smaller and more cozy like a Caruso property. But I'd give it another year to see what happens. If it can't bring in folks during summer and next year's holiday season, then there may be an issue.

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by LAappraiser

I live nearby and pass it all the time. It always seems to be packed, could be the restaurants. The paid parking is definitely a stupid idea and the parking structure is a nightmare. I won't be surprised if the stores play musical chairs going in and out of business. I'm not a Costco person, so I could care less about them. The good news is that it's really pretty compared to the vacant lots that were there for so long. Personally, I think the double-sized Topanga Plaza offers all the stores we really need. The real question on my mind is what are they going to do with the Promenade. It's always been a ghost town and once they move the AMC to the old Sears location it will be even deader except for, maybe, Maggiano's. I'm thinking condos on that site, we'll see. Botton line, The Village sure ain't the Grove.

Everytime I go on sur la tables website all of the instore cooking classes are always sold out. Il Fornaio is hard to get a reservation at because they are always full. The double sized Topanga plaza does offer all the stores that people need.

I'm sure stores at the village like Crate and Barrel,Z Gallerie and Sur La Table have a better chance at staying in business than the local stores at the village.