Big Box Rumors

First, the news I'm most excited about. Whole Foods may not be done with Burbank just yet. With all the big box retailers closing, there may be some "back channel" discussions going on regarding finally, finally opening a store here. You may recall that the Burbank City Council, and local residents, put the kaboosh on a Burbank Ranch-area store.

Next. Macy's announced store closings. So far, the Burbank, Glendale, and Sherman Oaks stores are safe. Yah!

And finally, Jon's grocery store is going into where the Von's on San Fernando used to be.

Board-ups in Burbank

Rumor has it that the Von's on San Fernando in Burbank will be closing soon. It was kind of crummy, but now the only grocery store for the area will be the kind-of-crummy Ralph's across the street. No word on what might go into the space. So, at least for awhile, there will be more parking for Zankou Chicken.

And while Kohl's has made a deal to take over a lot of empty Mervyn's, the Burbank Mall Mervyn's isn't one of them. So, soon, Burbank is going to be awash in giant, empty retail spaces. Do you think the Burbank City Fathers and Mothers could persuade Whole Foods to give Burbank another try? Or should these spaces just all lease out to Korean and Armenian churches? I'm kind of worried that all of these board-ups will lead to blight.