The Last Stand: 7 Must-See Stores And The Massive Redevelopment Transforming Baldwin Hills Mall In Late 2025
The iconic Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, a cultural and economic anchor for the South Los Angeles community for decades, is in the midst of a dramatic and historic transformation as of December 2025. The traditional indoor shopping mall, often simply referred to as the Baldwin Hills Mall, is actively transitioning into a modern, mixed-use development, which has led to significant changes in its store directory and overall atmosphere. The days of the sprawling, traditional anchor stores are over, but a core group of essential tenants and a vital community spirit remain, even as construction plans for residential and new retail spaces move forward.
The current landscape is one of transition, with many storefronts vacant, yet the remaining businesses are crucial to the Crenshaw District. Understanding which stores are still open, what has closed, and the massive scale of the planned redevelopment is essential for anyone visiting this historic Los Angeles landmark today.
The End of an Era: What’s Happening to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza?
The most important update regarding the Baldwin Hills Mall is its ongoing, multi-phase redevelopment under the ownership of the Harridge Development Group. The plan is to convert the site from a traditional regional shopping center into a vibrant, mixed-use community hub. This vision for the future includes residential units, new retail, and commercial spaces, fundamentally changing the character of the property.
The redevelopment is a response to the "retail apocalypse" that has affected malls nationwide, but it’s also a pivotal moment for the Crenshaw neighborhood. The new project, which has seen proposals for hundreds of apartments and condominiums, aims to integrate modern living with the existing retail and cultural significance of the plaza.
Historical Anchors That Have Closed
The transition has been marked by the departure of the mall’s long-standing anchor tenants, which once defined the shopping experience. These closures have created large, vacant spaces that are central to the new development plans:
- Sears: The department store closed its doors, leaving a massive footprint available for redevelopment.
- Walmart: The closure of the Walmart store further consolidated the vacant space, signaling the end of the big-box retail era at this location.
- Macy’s: While Macy's had a history at the plaza, its departure was another major loss, paving the way for the new mixed-use concept.
Despite these significant closures, the enclosed mall structure and the popular Cinemark movie theater are among the elements planned to be retained and integrated into the new urban village concept, ensuring a degree of continuity for the local community.
The Essential List: Stores and Services Still Operating in Late 2025
For visitors in late 2025, the mall is a quieter but still operational center, primarily serving local needs with a focus on specialized retail, food, and community services. While the total number of inline stores has significantly decreased, a core group of essential and culturally significant tenants remains open. Here is a look at some of the must-see stores and services still operating:
- Cinemark Rave Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza 15 + Extreme: The cinema remains a major draw and is a key component of the entertainment offerings that are planned to continue in the new development. It is one of the most reliable anchors still in operation.
- Shiekh Shoes: A popular destination for footwear and streetwear, Shiekh is one of the national retailers that continues to serve the fashion-conscious community.
- African Collection / Afro City Marketplace: These stores represent the plaza's deep cultural roots in the African American community, offering unique clothing, accessories, and goods that are a hallmark of the mall's identity.
- Americana Buffet & Grill: Providing a crucial dining option, this restaurant is one of the food-service tenants that helps keep the plaza a place for gathering and community meals.
- Los Angeles Crenshaw Hills Farmer Market: Operating near the plaza, this market provides fresh produce and goods, reinforcing the site's role as a vital community resource beyond traditional retail.
- Small Business Retailers: A variety of smaller, independent shops—often locally owned—continue to operate, offering services like hair care, jewelry, and specialized apparel. These tenants are the lifeblood of the remaining enclosed mall.
- Food Court Tenants: While the food court has seen turnover, a number of smaller, local eateries remain open, offering quick-service options and cultural cuisine to shoppers and workers.
The Future of Crenshaw: Residential, Retail, and Community Hub
The transition of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza is part of a larger, ambitious plan for the Crenshaw District and South Los Angeles. The developers, Harridge Development Group, have outlined a vision that moves away from the failing regional mall model toward a dense, walkable, and transit-oriented development.
A New Mixed-Use Vision
The new design is centered around creating a complete neighborhood, not just a shopping destination. The key components of the redevelopment include:
- Residential Housing: Plans include the addition of hundreds of apartments, with some proposals suggesting over 600 units, aimed at bringing a permanent residential population to the site. This is often cited as a key step in revitalizing the area.
- New Retail and Office Space: The new retail will be designed as street-level storefronts rather than an enclosed mall, focusing on a mix of local and national tenants that cater to the new residential and surrounding community. Office space is also planned to bring new jobs to the area.
- Community Preservation: The preservation of the enclosed mall structure and the Cinemark theater is a nod to the plaza's historical significance as a cultural and entertainment hub for the African American community. Community groups like Downtown Crenshaw Rising have been active in advocating for development that includes affordable housing and local control.
Enhanced Connectivity and Transit
The plaza's location is becoming even more strategic due to major infrastructure improvements. The opening of the Metro E Line (formerly Crenshaw/Expo Line) has significantly increased the site's accessibility, connecting the Crenshaw District to the wider Los Angeles Metro network. This improved transit access is a major factor driving the mixed-use development, as it promotes a less car-dependent lifestyle and attracts new residents and businesses.
In essence, the "Baldwin Hills Mall stores" of the future will not be confined to a single indoor space but will be part of a sprawling, integrated urban village. While the current environment is marked by construction and a reduced store count, the project represents a significant investment in the future of South Los Angeles, promising a dynamic blend of housing, employment, and modern retail that honors the site's rich history. The transition from the old Broadway-Crenshaw Center to the new mixed-use destination is a landmark event in Los Angeles urban planning.
Detail Author:
- Name : Bradly Steuber
- Username : xcarter
- Email : danielle27@hotmail.com
- Birthdate : 1986-12-31
- Address : 77506 Alexanne Glen Apt. 192 Port Rosalyn, SD 26763-3293
- Phone : +1 (559) 272-3704
- Company : Gerlach Inc
- Job : Geography Teacher
- Bio : Maiores labore saepe facilis nihil expedita. Nam ad eos atque amet aut. Dolore doloremque illum quod alias vitae sunt. Cupiditate id ut architecto autem.
Socials
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/mustafa_xx
- username : mustafa_xx
- bio : Dolor tempore unde animi nemo voluptatem quia.
- followers : 3560
- following : 1448
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/mustafa.cruickshank
- username : mustafa.cruickshank
- bio : Est adipisci numquam aut non aut. Soluta accusantium voluptatem quis non reiciendis. Eaque molestiae quo quis culpa deleniti. Eos id repudiandae labore aut.
- followers : 4624
- following : 1036
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/cruickshankm
- username : cruickshankm
- bio : Ipsam ut architecto quos dolores harum. Sed iusto magni molestiae.
- followers : 3702
- following : 2761
