Block Party West Hollywood, the self-proclaimed “Gayest Store on Earth” that has anchored Santa Monica Boulevard’s retail landscape for more than 16 years, announced a “CLEAN SWEEP SALE” and that the doors will close at the end of February with a re-open date uncertain.
The iconic Santa Monica Boulevard retailer posted the following infomation on the store windows.
THANK YOU TO OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS.
IT HAS BEEN 16+ YEARS AND WE APPRECIATE YOU.
HOWEVER, HOMELESS AND HOT DOG VENDORS DISRUPT THE DAY AND THE NIGHT. AND WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ASSAULTS ON OUR STAFF.
YOU HAVE A STAKE IN THIS COMMUNITY TOO. THE CITY OF WEHO HAS A HANDS OFF POLICY.
PLEASE DEMAND SOLUTIONS FROM CITY OFFICIALS.
PublicComment@weho.org,
Inquiries to larry@ymla.com
Block noted the store has no spring deliveries planned and is running out its inventory but has an active lease through 2029. Negotiations with the landlord are scheduled for early February where a final decision will be made before a scheduled March rent increase.
He noted that all employees have been guaranteed their hours through the end of June 2026 and that there has been no sale of the business.
Larry seems like a good guy…….but the city won’t miss a store selling mens underwear on the sidewalk.
Perhaps the city has to hit total rock bottom……before sanity can begin to return.
There should be some men in that underwear on the sidewalks.
Does anyone care? It’s a bad gay Walmart
This is Larry’s strategy to (1) Boost sales (2) renegotiate lower rent (3) give himself a soapbox for his grievances.
The store has always been tacky, trashy and tasteless. That said, it’s still better than an empty storefront.
Larry owns both Block Party and this publication. Can’t he just write his own story??
Omg! Where will I buy poppers? And tacky clothes? Bobby Trendy must be devastated.
WTF is wrong with this city??? I know, the “leadership” or should I say the lack of leadership. This city has gone down hill since the whole Shyne, Erickson, Byers era. It needs to end. VOTE them and their policies OUT!
Just wrote to the public comment address above. Greater L.A. has surpassed NYC as the city with the highest rat population in the nation. This correlates with the the uptick of food venders cooking on the street, as well as the increase in the unhoused population.
I think it’s associated with the ratty local businesses.
Block Party has been a stable in boys town. To have it close would be a sad day for WEHO .
I think you mean staple?
Larry has stuck to it even with razor thin profit margins and constant challenges along Santa Monica, because he was loyal to his employees who he treats as family and his dedication to having a vibrant Boys Town.
Larry is SUCH a drama queen. If the store were turning a profit, it would remain open. But sure, blame it on hot dog vendors. LOL.
Spoken like someone who has never put everything on the line by opening a small business. This city’s policies are the reason this city is failing. Anyone who has lived here long enough knows what it was like…and what it now is. And it ain’t pretty.
Exactly
Retail is under assault from soaring rents, online sales, the flouting of criminal laws and unrealistic regulations. It’s an unfortunate trend that changes our social expectations.
I TOLD THE WHACKO DEMOCRATS 20 YEARS AGO – WEED CLINICS WILL ATTRACT GHETTO PEOPLE, HOMELESS CRACKHEADS AND CRIME
We are all in awe. What are your other predictions for the future oh wise one?
So prescient you are. You could make money off that skill. Now you are dismissed.