City of Long Beach Celebrates Reopening of East Anaheim Plaza

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PRESS RELEASE

Above: Officials from the City of Long Beach join business owners of Spectrum Pharmacy and Primary Care Associates at the East Anaheim Plaza reopening event held on Nov. 16, 2024.

Long Beach, CA - On Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, the City of Long Beach celebrated the grand reopening of the East Anaheim Plaza, a cherished center of connection, essential services and economic opportunity for residents of Cambodia Town and surrounding neighborhoods, following a fire that destroyed the commercial shopping center in December 2022.

"This reopening is a cornerstone for our community's growth, and it shows our commitment to building a Long Beach that supports everyone," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "East Anaheim Plaza isn't just a place to shop - it's a community anchor that provides essential services, keeps residents connected and supports the neighborhood in meaningful ways."

The event reunited firefighters who bravely responded to the blaze and featured inspiring stories from business owners and employees. The ceremony marked a meaningful step forward in Long Beach's journey of community-centered growth and economic revitalization. The reopening of the East Anaheim Plaza, located at 705 E. Anaheim St., reaffirms Long Beach's dedication to uplifting its small businesses and strengthening the local economy.

"For many residents in Cambodia Town, the East Anaheim Plaza offers access to the care and resources they need right in their neighborhood," said Sixth District Councilwoman Suely Saro. "By reopening this plaza, we are making sure our residents, including families and older adults, have the essential services they rely on close to home."

The revitalized plaza represents resilience, hope and a renewed commitment to economic growth for the area. The commercial space is a center for vital healthcare, pharmaceutical needs and community services, particularly for older adults and families who rely on these essential services in their community.

Over the past two years, the City has provided the impacted businesses and workers with various support, including small business loan assistance, assistance with navigating the City's permitting processes and resources for employees who were displaced. In the wake of the fire, many businesses in the plaza worked diligently and shifted operations to continue providing essential services to residents.

"We knew our community was counting on us, so we did everything possible to be there for them. From personally delivering medications to coordinating with nearby pharmacies, we kept showing up every day to make sure no one went without care," said Spectrum Pharmacy owner Jasmine Tran. "I would like to thank the City and our many partners for their support over the past two years. We are looking forward to continuing to serve guests at our beautiful new office!"

The shopping center was vacant when the Long Beach Fire Department responded to the overnight four-alarm fire, and there were no injuries reported among the firefighters. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

For information regarding resources and support for small businesses, visit longbeach.gov/ED.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Economic Development Department, visit longbeach.gov/ed, and follow on Facebook, X and Instagram. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the City's Business Brief.

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