The Malibu Real Estate Blog

Update! I just had my first Crumbs cupcake…..UH OH! My sweet tooth was previously satisfied with a Malibu Yogurt but I think I’m going to have to try all 30 flavors of cupcakes before I make up my mind as to which is better!

It’s finally open! I got a firsthand look at the new Malibu Lumber Yard today and must say I am completely impressed with how nice the project has turned out. About half of the retailers are in and the Grand Opening party will be held on Tuesday night.
In the initial phases of construction, the project looked like it was headed for a very modern look, almost too much so for a casual beach town. In the last couple of weeks, recycled barn wood could be seen being brought in and lots of wood siding and deck materials that have softened the contemporary design. An impressive landscape design has also just been finished and perfectly complements the architecture. What it feels like on the inside is a beach house, especially with the numerous lounge and sitting areas atop stained wooden decks. The most surprising feature of all was the three, large, saltwater aquariums in the inner courtyard, sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike eating cupcakes from Crumbs.
Click here to see past articles about the New Lumber Yard

If you need a $30 piece of plywood in Malibu, you are going to have to travel to Santa Monica or The Valley. If you need  a pair of  Distressed Leather Reva Ballerina Flats for $195, then you are in luck because the new shopping center at the corner of Cross Creek and PCH will have them at Tory Burch. 

Starting in the beginning of March, Malibu will have a new destination shopping center with multiple high-end tenants. Currently signed up (but subject to change) are Intermix, James Perse flagship, Maxfield, Tory Burch, Theory, Alice + Olivia, J Crew at the beach, Kitson Men’s, Planet Blue Kids, Ever, Crumbs Bake Shop, two restaurants, an ice cream/yogurt store, second level locals, and other retail stores. If that’s not enough to wear out the magnetic stripe on your credit crisis card then you always  can head to the other retailers that are changing the look of Malibu like Planet Blue, James Perse, Madison, Ralph Lauren, RRL, Ron Herman, Chrome Hearts, L’Occitane, Henry Beguelin, Shabby Chic, Juicy Couture, John Varvatos, Ernest Sewn, Seven for all mankind, M Frederic, and Sigerson Morris.

All that shopping will likely create an appetite so rest assured you’ll survive the ride home by fueling up on  some high-digit calories from restaurants such as Nobu, Taverna Tony, Tra Di  Noi, Marmalade, John’s Garden, Howdy’s Traqueria, Coffee Bean, Starbucks, and Malibu Kitchen & Gourmet Country.

Retail leases are running between $18-$23 per square foot  so don’t expect to find too many half-price sales like the ones I saw last night at the Third Street Promenade. Given the current economic conditions, it will be interesting to see which retailers can afford to spend $20k-$40k per month just to be in Malibu. I’m still convinced some of the retailers run these Malibu outposts as loss leaders because it might be cheaper than magazine adds and there is a likely chance the paparazzi will snap a pic of a celebrity in their store. Can you put a price tag on a picture……How much do you think the PR is worth when a picture of someone famous is  caught walking around with a bag full of goodies from Ralph Lauren and get’s 100,000 hits on X17?

It just might be worth the rent.

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