Crenshaw Gets Lucky : Credit Galanter and community with supermarket coup for South L.A.

The long lines and the traffic congestion were worthy of the Oscar ceremony. But thousand of people weren’t waiting for a glimpse of movie stars. These crowds were waiting for a glimpse of one of the first major supermarkets built since the 1965 Watts riots in South Los Angeles--a large and stylish supermarket that many customers believe is worthy of quite a fanfare.

A new Lucky supermarket, so commonly taken for granted in most parts of Los Angeles, opened last week at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza to outright celebration by local residents. Unlike small groceries more typical of large mid-city areas, this supermarket has 48,000 square feet--and that area may not be large enough to serve the great demand, if the first week is any indication. The new grocery also features a pharmacy, deli, bakery, floral shop and fresh seafood department.

City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter deserves much of the credit for the achievement of persuading a major grocery chain to see the good business sense in moving into an area starved for choices in many basic shopping services. She spearheaded a community campaign to persuade reluctant grocery executives to build in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and reap the profits from the nearby upper-middle-class and middle-class neighborhoods.

The decision has already paid off. The Baldwin Hills Lucky had the largest grand opening in company history. The crowds of customers necessitated additional staff to keep the shelves stocked.

The absence of large and competitive supermarkets is common in most inner-city neighborhoods throughout the state and across the nation, according to a congressional report released several years ago. Locally, most major grocery chains--with the exception of Boys Market--have abandoned a 50-square-mile area of South Los Angeles, citing high insurance costs and crime.

Officials of Lucky challenged that conventional wisdom. Other merchants in search of profits should follow suit and open stores that attract customers ready and able to spend.