Last updated on November 25th, 2020 at 10:48 am
Smart & Final opened its doors Jan. 8 at Jordan Downs Plaza, a mixed-use public housing community in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood. The brand-new grocery store is a vital part of the redevelopment of Jordan Downs. In an area that has faced the challenge of convenient access to nutritious food, the new store says it will not only provide employment opportunities in the community, but will establish easier accessibility to fresh, organic foods.
Located at 9850 South Laurel Street, the 31,000-s.f. Smart & Final Extra! will provide shoppers with USDA-certified meats, fresh produce, organics, and frozen and packaged grocery items, as well as personal care and household products. The new store created 50 full- and part-time job opportunities.
“We’re proud to be providing jobs and bringing convenient and easy access to fresh and healthy foods to this neighborhood,” said Aldo Duran, store manager of the new Smart & Final location. “We’re excited to be part of the redevelopment of Jordan Downs, and we’re looking forward to serving the community for many years to come.”
Built for factory workers during World War II, Jordan Downs was converted to low-income housing in the Watts community in the 1950s. The entire neighborhood is currently being revitalized in an effort to transform the area with new apartment complexes, restaurants, retail stores and parks. When completed, the property will offer about 1,400 residential units, all within walking distance to the retail complex.
“The Los Angeles South Chamber of Commerce welcomes Smart & Final to the community, and we are excited about our new partnership to help build and sustain our local economy,” said L.A. South Chamber President Dexter McLeod. “South Los Angeles, particularly Watts, has a high rate of unemployment, wealth disparity and food insecurity. By providing local jobs, healthy food options and community outreach programs, Smart & Final will be a beacon of hope in the community.”
Store features include:
- First Street meats, cheeses, bread and more.
- Organic offerings from Smart & Final’s Sun Harvest brand.
- Wide assortment of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, as well as a fully stocked deli department, which will include the First Street Oven-Roasted Chickens for grab-and-go meals.
- Goods tailored to business and household customers like paper products and cleaning supplies, as well as an assortment of beverages and snacks.
- Extensive variety of both household and club-sized products without requiring a membership.
- Floral department.
- Online delivery in two hours or less.
The ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and to mark the opening, with the Smart & Final Charitable Foundation making a donation to several local-based charities: Parents of Watts, The Harold Robinson Foundation and A Place Called Home. Smart & Final says the donations are part of its commitment to supporting organizations and causes in the communities where it operates.
Headquartered near Los Angeles in Commerce, California, Smart & Final has 255 store locations. Its larger format stores, Smart & Final Extra!, combine the warehouse store with traditional grocery offerings like farm-fresh produce and natural and organic options.
