Hollywood : Pastry Shop Headquarters

A dilapidated section of east Hollywood Boulevard has been transformed into the headquarters of a well-known pastry shop.

State Sen. David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) and other dignitaries were on hand for the grand opening of Panos Pastry, at the southwest corner of Hollywood and Winona boulevards. From other locations, the shop, which sells Armenian, Middle Eastern and French pastries and chocolates, has been serving the area’s large Middle Eastern community for the past 10 years.

Owners Panos and Alberta Zetlian wanted more space to expand their business, and bought three vacant storefronts. The Zetlians spent about $1 million to buy and renovate the structures, with the help of a $140,000 low-interest loan from the city Small Business Fund Loan Program.

With the expansion, the shop now employs almost 50 people, said Gale Trachtenberg of the Hollywood Economic Revitalization Effort, which helped in the renovation.