Online Grocer Moving In on L.A.

Online grocers have been slow to tackle the Los Angeles market due to its spread-out customer base and shortage of sites for the big warehouses it requires. But now, one of e-commerce’s hottest names is finally moving in. Kirkland, Wash.-based Homegrocer.com recently leased two distribution facilities--one on Foothill Boulevard in Azusa and another on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles--with hopes of delivering to much of the Southland in coming months, company officials say. Homegrocer.com, which provides next-day grocery service, delivers to locations within 30 to 45 minutes of its huge warehouses. The company began delivering in south Orange County several months ago from a center in Irvine and has since opened a center in Fullerton. South Los Angeles will be the first to preview the service, as Homegrocer begins delivering to L.A. ZIP codes later this month. The Asuza warehouse will open at the end of January and the Westside location will begin service several months from now.