Editor’s note: This article was updated Nov. 12 at 3:22 p.m. to replace a 2022 statistic cited from the Los Angeles Department of City Planning on storefront vacancy rates in Westwood that put the figure at nearly 40% with a November report – which was not available at the time of this article’s publication – from the Westwood Village Improvement Association that lists Westwood Village’s vacancy rate as being 13% as of October.
Westwood has a problem with its “overly student-centric identity,” a consulting group told the Westwood Village Improvement Association in June.
A report published this June by Anderson Strategy Group urged the association to lean away from student attraction, and make Westwood appeal to a broader audience, including families, residents and tourists, as well as address vacancy issues. The report said that while most businesses stay in Westwood to be close to UCLA, business owners want greater diversity in customers than only students.
After receiving the report, WVIA Executive Director Michael Russell said he believes Westwood’s proximity to UCLA is not a weakness, but added that the neighborhood could benefit from a wider audience.
“Westwood’s brand is perceived as overly tied to UCLA, which attracts student foot traffic but limits engagement with families, seniors, and regional visitors,” the report states. “This narrow focus often overlooks the needs beyond the student demographic; families and other adults may not feel that Westwood has offerings that fit their needs.”
Russell said he appreciated that the consulting group interviewed key stakeholders in Westwood, including residents and business owners, but did not fully agree with the report’s language, such as the term “overly” to describe the prevalence of students in the neighborhood.
WVIA commissioned ASG – composed of students from the UCLA Anderson School of Management – to write a retail strategy report after not having conducted one in about a decade. Russell said the group surveyed Westwood community members in-person, over the phone and on Zoom.
Former ASG Partner Jessica Lai was the partner for the report, ASG Managing Partner Sepanta Shekarchi said in an emailed statement. Lai, who is now a UCLA alumnus, did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the report.
Westwood Village has a 13% vacancy rate, according to a November report from WVIA. Russell said Westwood has experienced vacancy issues due to increased market competition and crime incidents.
Not all businesses in Westwood serve students as their main customer base. Sammy Espinoza, the general manager of the restaurant Wolfsglen, said he mostly sees professors, doctors and UCLA staff – as well as students on the weekends – in his restaurant.
Espinoza added that Wolfsglen chose its location because of the built-in demographic and embraced the idea that Westwood businesses not forget about students.
Opening new kinds of businesses such as arcades and bookstores could expand Westwood’s appeal, Russell said.
Russell added that he also wants to reopen Westwood’s movie theaters – the Regency Village Theatre and the Regency Bruin Theatre – which closed in 2024. The Village Theatre is set to reopen following renovations led by director Jason Reitman, who bought the theater along with a coalition of other Hollywood directors.
[Related: The historically iconic Westwood Fox Village Theatre is listed for sale]
Jerry Hays, an accountant working at the Oppenheimer Tower, said that he takes a walk through Westwood Village every day on his lunch break to relax and get fresh air.
A lot of his shopping in Westwood is done at grocery stores, Hays said, adding that he noticed businesses accommodate UCLA students with discounts and Wi-Fi access.
Hays said students appear to be made to feel comfortable in Westwood, adding that he doesn’t think other community members are cast aside.
“Honestly, I think it’s balanced, and that’s really what I enjoy about it,” he said. “It doesn’t feel too student-y, and it doesn’t feel like it’s too uptight.”
Kate Fallon, a third-year English student, said she’d like to see more bookstores in Westwood, as well as small businesses. She added that she thinks the village could have more businesses that students find fun.
“Westwood isn’t just all about UCLA, but I feel like… since it’s right next to UCLA, that is the main audience that they should probably commit to,” Fallon said.
Mahesh Vashishtha, a software engineer and Westwood resident, said he visits a variety of local businesses, including the farmer’s market. He added that he enjoys when Westwood fills with students during the school year, as it becomes more lively.
Halee Yue, a fourth-year medical student, said she enjoys visiting Broxton Plaza – a car-free space for pedestrians to enjoy. She added that she feels safe in Westwood because there are always a lot of people in the area.
[Related: Westwood unveils pedestrian hub Broxton Plaza in hopes of revitalizing community]
Yue said she would like to see a wider variety of restaurants in Westwood, but added that, overall, she feels accommodated.
“I feel like UCLA and Westwood have treated me very well, so I’m really happy to have come here,” Yue said.
Comments are closed.