by Timothy Rutt
The Webster’s complex — an Altadena landmark for eight decades at 2450 N. Lake Avenue — has been sold to a Beverly Hills developer.
According to the new owner’s website, they are looking for lessees for the shops currently occupied by Webster’s Fine Stationers, Daz-E Thrift Shop, and the Altadena Community Arts Center. Webster’s Community Pharmacy and Webster’s Liquors are not listed as available.
The complex, which has been for sale for several years, was purchased by Greenbridge Investment Partners of Beverly Hills. Greenbridge also owns the building they call East Washington Village South, at the southwest corner of Washington Boulevard and Hill Street. Tenants of that building, notably Archives Bookstore, have been moving out of that building in recent months.
A source within Webster’s said that month-to-month leases were recently changed, and that the new owners have expressed a desire to have a chain coffee shop, such as Starbucks or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, occupy one of the locations.
Greenbridge has a downloadable brochure for the location (pdf document here) that shows a remodeled exterior with added windows.
UPDATE: Meredith and Michael Miller at Webster’s Community Pharmacy said that they have a long-term lease and will remain in the building under new ownership. Read the full message in the comments.
We would like to clarify a couple of points in this report. Webster’s Community Pharmacy has a long-term lease in this building and we are the only ones that have had one since purchasing the business. Month-to-month tenants have been offered options by the new owners of the building to continue renting on a monthly basis. As the only long-term lessee, the pharmacy is not at risk for relocation. We are committed to continuing the Webster’s Pharmacy brand and service to Altadena for many years to come. We also welcome the opportunity to be part of the vision of Greenbridge Investments plans for the future of this historic location.
Michael and Meredith Miller Co-Owners, Webster’s Community Pharmacy
God a Starbucks in Dena … not sure if this is the beginning of the end or the middle
Invitem (Michael and Meredith Miller), in what way is a Starbucks or Coffee Bean aligned with a “vision … for the future of this historic location”? I believe you may be relatively new to Altadena? For those of us who have been part of this community for decades–if not for all of our lives–“vision,” “Starbucks” and “historic” do not belong in the same sentence. I wish the Pharmacy well, but am pretty nervous about what you and Greenbridge Investments really do plan for this location.
I agree EXACTLY with Susan, and having Websters Fine Stationary close, with all the effort they are putting into not just their own business but the whole Altadena Business community is not a step ina good direction , but disaster.
I totally agree with Steve and Susan.
Websters Fine Stationary’s middle name says it all.
Elliot Gold
I’m glad Webster’s Community Pharmacy will continue on and not be affected by this change. Too bad the other businesses didn’t have long term leases too.
Let’s not jump to any conclusions by reading this initial article, we know of no such talks to bring in a national coffee chain. Susan, we are not associated with Greenbridge Investments and have no opinion on which, if any, coffee bar will ever come into this property. To read that into what we wrote just doesn’t make sense. We’ve been involved with Altadena for several years now and if you know me, you know that I’m the Vice President of the Altadena Chamber, and a member of the Altadena CSD Subcommittee. We have also been solely responsible for the successful Fancy Food Truck Friday program that everyone in Altadena enjoys so much. Please don’t assume that you know who we are, or what we care about. We are committed to staying in Altadena and serving the needs of the community. Meredith
The world won’t come to an end if a Starbucks or a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf open. It might attract some of the hikers who don’t want to experiment. The nearby merchants need businesses that will increase their visibility.
Unfortunately, my commute and family does not take me to the northeast Altadena. But, if a Lowes, Home Depot, Fedex office center, Pep Boys, O’Reiley, Auto Zone were there, I’d certainly frequent that area more often. I live in northwest Altadena.