[Dean]

What's the history behind the shopping center on Imperial Highway @ the 57 freeway?

Lucille's BBQ has got to be an old BIG YELLOW HOUSE restaurant. (1639 E Imperial Hwy Brea 92821)

Border's...old VONS or Safeway?

Another large shop that has been divided up? TG & Y, Sprouse, etc?

Rite Aid is closing the store in the center. Banners stating going out of business sale.

[Jeff]

The empty store next to Rite Aid at one point housed a Computer City (remember that chain?!)
This center is dying and I can see Borders closing or moving soon. There is a closed movie theatre (former 5 screen Edwards) behind the stores that lie next to the Borders. I dont know what was in the center prior, but the Computer City became a large Big and Tall shop and has been closed for many many years. I think its been vacant more than its been non vacant.

[Jeff]

Odd, doing some research, they are planning to add 2 new buildings to this center, called BREA PLAZA

http://www.cityofbrea.net/images/defaul ... S_4.22.pdf

The plaza is dying and they are adding new buildings, go figure.

[submariner]

The empty store next to Rite Aid at one point housed a Computer City (remember that chain?!)
This center is dying and I can see Borders closing or moving soon. There is a closed movie theatre (former 5 screen Edwards) behind the stores that lie next to the Borders. I dont know what was in the center prior, but the Computer City became a large Big and Tall shop and has been closed for many many years. I think its been vacant more than its been non vacant.

I Remember that Computer City... Didn't it become a CompUSA shortly after the buyout and closed shortly thereafter? I could be totally wrong on that one though.

[J-Mac]

Here's the kicker about that particular Rite Aid: it was very recently remodeled! Its a former Thrifty store sporting the newest Rite Aid interior -- doesn't make much sense, does it?

Interior shots start here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalretail/1166348711
Taken last summer.

(So far this is the only former Thrifty in So Cal I know of with this interior.)

The Borders was definitely a former grocery store, I believe I pegged it as a Safeway but I forgot how I arrived at that conclusion. The construction is very similar to the "downtown" Anaheim store.

Strangely, the parking lot at this center is full during the evening. I think the restaurants and Borders may at times clog the parking lot to make it difficult to get into the other stores. I wonder if one of the "added" buildings is a Rite Aid replacement out-building?

[storewanderer]

Spend money to remodel store then close store one year later. Why is my stock at 1.03?

[romleys]

98 cents (stock)!!!

[Jeff]

I don't see why the 99 cent store doesn't sell stock when its below $1 =P

[runchadrun]

According to a 1976 Times article when brea Plaza was under construction there was an Albertsons. The 1978 ad from the Fazio's merger lists the Albertsons at 429 Associated Road, which is Borders.

I didn't realize RAD stock was hovering around a buck. I had a small position a few years ago when it was at $20.

[Jeff]

According to a 1976 Times article when brea Plaza was under construction there was an Albertsons. The 1978 ad from the Fazio's merger lists the Albertsons at 429 Associated Road, which is Borders..

The Albertsons must have moved to the present location on Imperial and Kramer then in the late 80's / early 90's.
This store is much larger than the old one.

[J-Mac]

So here are some pictures to go along with the story:

Lucilles, formerly the Big Yellow House:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalretail/2676694404/
and

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalretail/2676696796/

Borders, formerly Albertsons (were there any other occupants?):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalretail/2676696074/

Rite Aid, formerly Thrifty:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalretail/2676692962/
and

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalretail/2675877469/
and some of the interior, now... (ugh, closeout time...)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalretail/2676410626/

Enjoy.

[J-Mac]

I have since read the report found at cityofbrea.net. Its huge. This project is about adding parking and stores to the east side of this parcel, boxing over a creek/drainage ditch. But it is the details that start to unravel the story. Starbucks, currently next to Borders gets a new outbuilding on the corner where Al&Eds vacant spot is. The at&t store adjacent to Thrifty/Rite Aid moves next to the new Starbucks.

Moving at&t away from Thrifty/Rite Aid leaves that entire leg vacant, all the way back to and including the theatre. Sounds to me like they get approval for the hard part (covering over a waterway) then they seek approval for the easy stuff (demolishing a row of vacant stores and replacing it with more appropriate development.)

This sitemap is lifted from the project:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/socalretail/2678102164/

Buildings F, G, H and J would all be left vacant if the this project is approved. Sounds like part of the developer's overall plans, and this may explain Rite Aid's odd departure.

[Dean]

I can see from the freeway that the project is moving forward.

Have not been able to exit the freeway and check it out.

Anyone been able to yet?

[Clumsygenes]

Haven't been over there since April. Personally, This whole center is probably staying alive because of Lucille's, Bucca, Denny's, Starbuck's, and Borders. Its on the wrong side of the freeway to get noticed much, and on the wrong side of Imperial Hwy also.

[luckysaver]

Chick Fil-A officially opens Jan 13. Rite Aid is now Total Wine (a new chain similar to BevMo). Border's lost the Albertsons exterior as part of the remodel.

luckysaver