Two Longtime Fashion District Retailers Shutter
Two retail landmarks have bid farewell to shoppers in the Los Angeles Fashion District.
Foot of the Mart, based in the California Market Center, and the Guess outlet store in the Cooper Design Space, both of which attracted shoppers to the Fashion District for more than two decades, have closed. Guess closed at the end of January. Foot of the Mart is scheduled to close Feb. 3.
Foot of the Mart operated in the CMC for 27 years. The principal owner of the men’s shoe store, Selma Peters, passed away in December. The remaining partner, Marcy Tuchfeld, Peters’s granddaughter, decided not to carry on with the family business.
“It’s sad, but it’s time to go. The building has changed over the years,” said Tuchfeld. “We used to have more men’s business in the building. Years ago, my grandmother used to say it was like Fifth Avenue around here. Even in the ’90s it was strong, but times have changed.”
The store had been one of Los Angeles’ prime destinations for fine men’s shoes, carrying such offerings as U.S. and European brands Donald J. Pliner, Alden, Clarks of England and Cole Haan. The business was founded by Peters’s husband, William J. Peters, who also operated a men’s wholesale business, W.J. Peters, on the fourth floor of the CMC for about 30 years. He passed away in 2002.
Guess? Inc. shuttered its Cooper Design Space outlet at Los Angeles and 9th streets after 21 years. Cooper proprietor Steve Hirsh confirmed that the store has closed but declined to comment on the reasons. Guess officials have also declined to comment. —Robert McAllister
