Fairfax Avenue Sees Soaring Vacancies as High Rents Squeeze Businesses

Los Angeles's Fairfax Avenue, once a bustling hub of retail and dining, is now grappling with a significant increase in empty storefronts and a notable decline in foot traffic. Business owners attribute the area's downturn to persistently high rents and a perceived lack of landlord investment, painting a stark picture of a commercial district struggling to adapt.

Economic Pressures on Fairfax Avenue

The district, situated near popular landmarks like the Farmers Market and The Grove, is experiencing a vacancy rate approaching 20%, according to a 2025 report by Power Commerce. This figure is substantially higher than the citywide retail vacancy rate of 5.83% recorded in the second quarter of 2026, marking a decade-long high for Los Angeles. Business owners expressed frustration, with some stating that landlords are demanding rents comparable to more affluent areas like Beverly Hills for properties in Mid-City.

"I’m aware of at least two properties where the landlords are asking what I consider Beverly Hills rents for Mid-City property," said Nick Starr, owner of Cofax Coffee. "And so those properties have just been sitting vacant… in some cases for years."

Starr, who grew up in the neighborhood, noted a shift in property ownership over the years. "When I was a kid, the people who owned the properties were people who lived in the area," he said. "Now it’s their children or their grandchildren. They’re really more interested in extracting the highest rent than they are of taking care of their properties."

Shifting Landscape and Lost Foot Traffic

The departure of major retailers has also impacted the area's vitality. Streetwear giant Supreme moved from Fairfax to Sunset Boulevard in 2023 after 19 years, a move that business owners say has had a ripple effect. Simon B., manager of Hall of Frames sunglasses store, stated that smaller businesses that relied on the traffic generated by Supreme have also suffered.

"People that have come here and then come again a few years later, they get shocked that so many shops are closed or gone away," Simon said. He also cited the increasing popularity of online shopping as a factor contributing to decreased foot traffic.

The area also faced lingering effects from social unrest in the summer of 2020 during Black Lives Matter protests, which a Power Commerce report identified as a contributing factor to the district's decline.

Efforts Towards Revitalization

In response to the mounting challenges, Los Angeles Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky's office has initiated plans for revitalization. Leo Daube, a spokesperson for Yaroslavsky, acknowledged that the street "desperately needs repair" and has secured $2 million in state funding for infrastructure improvements, including repaving and beautification. The release of these funds is contingent on Governor Newsom's signature.

"It’s been very difficult to secure funding for Fairfax because it’s in such rough shape. It requires a complete rebuild of the street from the ground up," Daube explained.

The councilwoman's office is also planning to establish a Business Improvement District and hopes to involve new landlords at the neighboring Television City complex.

Despite these efforts, some businesses are facing immediate threats. The Dime LA, a nightclub founded in 2003, is at risk of eviction after a dispute with its landlord over back rent. Owner Andy Fiscella stated they had gathered the $49,000 owed in back rent but were denied by the landlord one business day after the payment deadline.

"The last couple years were tough on the business, and they’re tough on everybody," Fiscella said. "Look at all the restaurants, bars that are closing. I mean, we were lucky to get to this point."

Enduring Establishments and Uncertain Futures

Some long-standing businesses continue to operate, though they acknowledge the changing climate. Jacqueline Canter, co-owner of the iconic Canter's Deli, which has been on Fairfax Avenue since 1953, expressed a desire for lower rents to eliminate vacancies. "I would love to see everybody else lower their rent so that we can have 100% no vacancies on Fairfax," she said.

Canter, who also leads the Fairfax Ave. Business Association, noted that while the city is responsive to complaints like graffiti, the street faces significant challenges. "I’ve seen places that have been vacant for like 30 years. I’m thinking this doesn’t make any sense to me, business-wise, to keep a property vacant for 30 years," she commented.

Despite the struggles, newer businesses like Trophy's Burger Club and Badmaash have maintained a presence. However, Canter expressed a somber outlook on the street's future, stating, "It’ll never, ever, ever again be like it was. I think those days are just gone."

![A person riding a green Lime bike on a sidewalk past closed storefronts, one with a "For Lease" sign, on Fairfax Avenue.]( "A person riding a green Lime bike on a sidewalk past closed storefronts, one with a "For Lease" sign, on Fairfax Avenue.")