Many residents living in St. Andrews Square are quite pleased with the new development that’s taking place in Waa Waa Plaza just around the corner on Western Ave. The suite of shops brings diners, coffee drinkers, and customers to 125 N Western Ave, between 1st and 2nd Streets, an area once quite unkempt and uninteresting.
“We like to call it our little Larchmont East,” noted Patti Carroll of Hollywoodland Realty who lives on Gramercy Place not far from the plaza. “Many of the neighbors in the area walk over in the evening and have a sweet at the Paris Bakery or a coffee at Tom N Toms. It’s a new destination and the walking traffic makes the area more livable.”
Paris Baguette Bakery is a favorite with many Windsor Square residents who enjoy the self-serve selection of fresh french pastries and cafe style seating inside and out. Students from Marlborough like to make the trek for boba drinks at the colorful Boba Time, located next door.
Buzz spoke with James Gomez of Paris Realty who has been the link between the developer and the community in fleshing out the concerns of the neighborhood and finding “quality businesses” to bring in as tenants. Already up and running is the tiny Korean Fusion Restaurant, a Verizon Wireless store, and an eyewear store named Eye Holics.
“There is a Thai restaurant coming in soon, and we are in negotiation with a Brazilian restaurant and possibly a florist,” Gomez shared with the Buzz. “We were initially disappointed after See’s Candies pulled out of plans to make it a tourist destination. We had plans for a Sees store and museum on the site where the original Sees Candy kitchen once stood. But things have worked out well and we believe local residents are going to love the offerings here.”
Gomez didn’t know why the site is called Waa Waa Plaza but the name is staying. There’s a small lot in front where free valet parking is offered during the evening. The plaza will be hosting a community get-together in September to welcome the neighborhood – details and date will follow. Until then, drop in and grab a coffee in the spacious upper floor of Tom N Toms and survey what’s new in the neighborhood.
Editor’s note / correction as of 7/18/2012: We’ve learned from Jim Gomez that “waa waa”  means “come and visit” and is a welcome greeting in Korean.
I,ve been to eyeholics and seriously best selection in La. Their website is nice too http://www.eyeholics.com