Toluca Lake Retail Community Gets Smaller

A few weeks ago I wrote an article on all of the recent restaurant closings in my neighborhood. Two days later, I received a notice that the current location of The Medical Arts Building and pharmacy at 4418 Vineland Avenue is being torn down and replaced with a 25-unit condo structure.

I wondered how many other local businesses in Toluca Lake have closed. A stroll down Riverside Drive provided some information. Over the past few months, three other long standing businesses have shut down.

The Toluca Lake Valley Pharmacy, located on the corner of Alameda and Riverside is now empty. For decades, this local pharmacy provided medicine, health care products and vitamins as well as delivering prescriptions to Toluca Lake residents.

of cuts and shaves for movie stars and locals. As reported in Patch, Andy Griffith was a regular customer and offered to provide the start up money for this tiny shop located at 10218 Riverside Drive.  took over the space last spring to expand their tiny dining area.

provided massages, manicures, body scrubs, wraps, waxing and facials to Tolucans since 1991. Housed at 10067 Riverside, this is the latest business to hang a “for lease” sign in the window.

I’m sad to see so many local independent businesses close. Yes, I appreciate that we now have and a just down the street, but the demolished Marie Callender’s location will become another bank, making three banks next to each other in downtown Toluca Lake. Do we really need three financial institutions within the same short block? I don’t know what will replace my local day spa and pharmacy, I only hope it’s not another bank.