Verdugo Pet Shop Property Finally Hits the Market

The Eastsider L.A. is reporting that the former location of the Verdugo Pet Shop, now one of York Boulevard's hottest properties, has hit the market.

According to the Eastsider, the property--listed at $565,000--officially went on the market three weeks ago and has already recieved a few offers.

From the Eastsider L.A.

"It did not take long for offers to start coming in as investors and entrepreneurs try to stake a claim to the changing street, where new restaurants, shops and art spaces reflect the ongoing gentrification of Highland Park. “We have gotten very heavy interest in the property,” said property agent Marie Taylor at NAI Capital."

As previously reported on Patch, longtime shop owner Hervey Chapman died in January of 2011. Almost immediately, neighborhood residents started speculating about what would become of the 3,000-sq. ft. building that sits at ground zero of York Boulevard's business boom.

The property stands adjacent to popular nightlife spots The York and and is passed every month by thousands of art lovers who flock to York's strip of galleries during NELA Art's Second Saturday Gallery Night.

It's also located within the business corridor primed for redevelopment through councilmember Jose Huizar's vision plan.

Some Patch commenters have written that they would prefer to see an established chain store, like a Starbucks, move into the property. However, York Boulevard is already home to two popular coffee shops, El Chapin and .

Others have said they would prefer to see the property occupied by a local business owner, who would actively participate in the ongoing revitalization of York between Avenues 50 and 56, which has been predominantly spurred by independent, locally owned shops.

Cathi Milligan, who owns the nearby Glass Studio, said the location seemed perfect for a high end furniture or interior design shop.

"We have Matters of Space and Platform Gallery nearby, and a furniture or interior design district would be cool to cultivate," Milligan said. "The size of the space would be great for interior stuff.

Milligan hinted that prominent Northeast L.A. flippers Better Shelter and Extraordinary Real Estate might both have interest in purchasing the Verdugo Pet Shop as a rental property.

"They want quality businesses in the neighborhood, too," Milligan said. "I think it's gonna have to be a quality business, whatever a 'quality business' is. Somebody with past experience and a good track record. Even if they were able to talk [the price] down a little bit,  it would still have to be a good place."