A Breath of Fresh Air in the Heart of Los Angeles
As one of the most unique neighborhoods in the city of L.A, Larchmont Village has a special place in the heart of Angelenos. The stretch of Larchmont Boulevard between Beverly Boulevard and First Street has become, over the years, the destination for stylish shopping and inspired dining, while celebrating its heritage as one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Julius La Bonte first established Larchmont Village in 1921 as part of a rapid population growth from Downtown, with one-story stores (sometimes with second-story offices) along Larchmont Boulevard, starting with the east side of the street; eventually he added a movie theater on the western side, according to the Larchmont Buzz. The Los Angeles Railway Yellow Car ran down the center of the street. The area prospered as the commercial center for old-money Windsor Square, and in the 1950s the streetcars and telephone poles were taken out to make the strip more pleasant, according to an old story in the Los Angeles Times: “Since then, change has taken place only gradually, sparing the street any major upheavals.”
About the Larchmont Village BID
President, Larchmont Village BID: Tom Kneafsey
Co-Executive Directors: Heather Duffy Boylston / Rebecca Hutchinson
info@larchmontvillagebid.com
Heather Duffy Boylston
Larchmont Village BID Co-Executive Director
Director of PR/Marketing – The Duffy Co.
heather@larchmontvillagebid.com
200 North Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
The Larchmont Village Business Improvement District (BID) stretches down Larchmont Boulevard between Beverly Boulevard and 1st Street. It was officially established in 1998 as The Larchmont Village Property Owners Business Improvement District to offset the lack of city funds for street services and other benefits so vital to a successful retail street environment. The BID is funded by an annual tax assessed to each property owner in the designated area; this tax is calculated based on the property owner’s linear, ground-level, front-facing footage on Larchmont Boulevard. The county tax collector collects the assessment and delivers it to the BID through a city-maintained account, thus the BID budget is devised.
The Larchmont Village BID works with various local partners to ensure Larchmont Village’s unique positioning in Los Angeles, that it has appropriate signage and banners, and positive relationships with retailers, community based organizations, and neighbors.
The BID budget supports street sweeping, tree trimming and the Big Belly solar trash and recycling program. The BID is responsible for the village’s holiday lights and decorations, and the Larchmont Village banners that hang year-round.
The BID organizes various events: Small Business Saturday, contracted the utility box art installation and holiday window contest are some examples. We are active participants in monthly meetings of the BID Consortium (representing 40+ BIDs) to ensure Larchmont’s interests are represented and key learnings, particularly legislative, are shared with our property owners and merchants. We ensure the BID’s ongoing relationship with our City councilmember is strong and transparent.