DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES – Forget Christmas vacation: It’s been a busy few weeks for The Alexandria: Two new food spots have opened in the building at Fifth and Spring streets recently.
Two Bits Market began serving on the ground floor of The Alexandria on New Year’s Day. Owner Brandi Lozano said they are still finalizing their hours, but for now the market will be open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week. The 1,000-square-foot spot will offer organic produce and non-processed foods along with specialty cheeses and wines.
There will also be a deli, which will arrive in time for the grand opening in February. “We’ve had a great response and a lot of thank yous so far for brining produce to the neighborhood,” Lozano said. She added that she signed a 15-year lease for the space.
She joins her new next-door neighbor Coronado’s Mexican Restaurant and Bar, which uprooted from its longtime San Gabriel Valley home to open at The Alexandria in mid-December.
“This area just seems to have a lot of traffic in the day and at night, decent nightlife. Everything fell in place for us to open here,” said Robert Coronado, who with his father Gilbert owns the 3,000-square-foot restaurant.
It was a long search for the Coronados, who looked all over the neighborhood, including the space that now houses the Nickel Diner at 524 S. Main St., and on Broadway. He said the restaurant offers a fresh take on typical Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos and chile rellenos. “We try to use better quality ingredients, no fat or lard,” he said.
They also have a full bar with hours from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. -2 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. The Coronados signed a 15-year-lease and join other spots like the Down and Out bar and The Gorbals restaurant at the low-income residential building.
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