Inglewood Mayor Expects More Small Businesses to Close

In direct contrast to the Inglewood Airport Area Chamber of Commerce (IAACC), Inglewood Mayor James Butts shared more businesses will shutter once the NFL stadium project is fully materialized.

“Visitors to the stadium won’t need to cross the street to get food, drinks or to even shop once the retail components come online.“

Mayor Butts, Daily Breeze 11/24/2019

Erick Holly, who is the “President” of the IAACC, flew to Sacramento last month to appear before the California Air Resources Board (CARB) allegedly on the behalf of “mom and pop” businesses, who are “struggling” to stay open and who are in “desperate need” of the Clippers arena to generate income. Holly is clueless to the actual devastation small business owners are headed towards.

Related: Letter to the Editor: Inglewood Mayor threatens Board of the Inglewood Airport Area Chamber of Commerce

Along Prairie, between Manchester and Century, are handfuls of small businesses located in strip malls who are rejoicing at their signing of “long term leases”.

Owners from the 7-Eleven, located at the entrance of the NFL stadium at Prairie and Arbor Vitae, shared with the Daily Breeze they signed a new 20 year lease to ensure they wont be closing anytime soon. Blessed Jamaican Food, is in the same shopping center, and had their rent increase from $2600 to $4200.

Popular bakery Sweet Red Peach, is located at the interseection of Prairie and Hardy. She gleefully announed her new 10 year lease as a saving grace to an unfortunate future. The shopping center she is located in is full of small business and was the site of an FBI raid last fall.

That shopping center and the one up the street at Prairie and Kelso are prime real estate for parking garages, which are desperately needed to house the influx of cars convening for game days.

“Restaurants and shops that have a “product that people want” will do better from the influx of people. Not everyone wants to spend top dollar for high-end dining.”

Mayor Butts

The truth is commercial rent continues to rise and if what Mayor Butts is saying is true, many of these long term leaseholders will simply be bought out and forced to move elsewhere. The only true business winning in the city of Inglewood is Three Weavers Brewing Company who has already been announced as occupying space in the coveted NFL stadium district.

Related: Inglewood Businesses are Waiting for Superman

Other Inglewood businesses looking to be “saved” by the stadium and arena foot traffic are sadly shit out of luck.

Welcome to the “new” Inglewood where long time residents simply aren’t welcome. Thanks Mayor Butts!