Uncertain Future for Loudermilk Boutique
The future of Los Angeles–based designer Linda Loudermilk’s highly anticipated luxury eco store is in question. The company owning the property, 8320 Melrose Avenue LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles on May 9.
Loudermilk’s self-named pioneering eco-fashion company was not named in the bankruptcy. However, the designer was named as a defendant in the bankruptcy along with 8320 Melrose Avenue LLC. Loudermilk and her lawyers did not answer interview requests. The bankruptcy papers described 8320 Melrose Avenue LLC as a single-asset real estate business, with an estimated value of $1 million to $10 million.
The fashion designer had ambitious plans to build a luxury eco boutique at 8320 Melrose Ave., which is at the intersection of Melrose Avenue and North Flores Street. The site is a few blocks west of the highly fashionable section of Melrose Avenue, where high-profile boutiques such as Fred Segal, Paul Smith and Mark Jacobs are located.
Loudermilk intended to open a 5,000-square-foot lifestyle store, Luxury Eco by Linda Loudermilk, at 8320 Melrose Ave. Loudermilk’s store would have offered fashions for men, women and children; homewares; and an eco cafeacute;.
The store never opened, and the building is currently barricaded.
Melrose Avenue and nearby shopping districts have become a magnet for eco-fashion stores. On May 21, eco boutique Visionary debuted at 8568frac12; Melrose Ave. On Earth Day, April 22, two separate eco-fashion boutiques, Romp and Vie, opened on West Third Street in Los Angeles. Avita Co-Op has been doing business at 8213 W. Third St. for more than one year. —Andrew Asch
