Laurel Merchants Association News

by Dr. Maureen Dorsey

The Laurel Merchants Association welcomed the Chinese New Year with the help of the Buk Sing Choy Lay Fut Martial Arts Lion Dance Performers. These energetic young folks chased away the bad spirits and negative energy at 28 businesses along MacArthur and brought them luck and prosperity! More festivities could be found at Zhi Dao Guan Martial Arts and Fitness Center, 3824 MacArthur Blvd., where Dr. Alex Feng has opened his office. And last but not least, our new Councilmember for District Four, Jean Quan, has located her regional office here in the Laurel at 4173 MacArthur.

Other business news includes welcoming Razzo's, the home of the two-minute pizza. With special ovens, they are able to provide fast and affordable lunch and dinner. They are located in the 4300 block of MacArthur.

We bid a fond farewell and happy retirement to the owners of La Ultima restaurant. After many years here, they have decided to retire and sell the space.

Calls to Shell Oil Company have not given us any more information about the corner of High and MacArthur where their station once stood. The information that we could obtain at the time of this report was that demolition permits were obtained. Our Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization representative from the city will be combining efforts with our councilmember to attract new businesses for this major entrance to our business district.

The lot at 35th and MacArthur appears to be moving forward in the approval process for developer Paul Wang to build a three-story mixed-use facility with two businesses on the ground floor and condominiums on the top. Parking will be provided in the rear. It is expected to be presented to Council soon, as it is city-owned property, and any development has to be approved by the Council.

LMA is having its membership drive and urges all merchants and business owners to participate in our collective organization. It is our goal to maintain a vital business district along this section of MacArthur and benefit all the businesses and property owners. Each of us is a participant in a special commercial district in this city, and we need all of us to keep the Laurel a success. LMA will be vigilant about any developments in the city that affect the ability to conduct business here in the Laurel. We will continue to sponsor events that attract customers to our area, especially when the economy is in trouble and customers have choices. We want them to chose us. We will be monitoring businesses and properties that are neglecting their responsibility to maintain code compliance.

For membership information, please contact Lease Wong at Komodo Toys, 482-5921. Our monthly meetings are held at Nationwide Insurance, 4173 MacArthur. The March meeting will be Thursday, March 6, at 7:30 a.m. The April meeting will be Thursday, April 3, at noon.