Foreclosures and empty buildings bearing “For Lease” signs –
visible evidence of a downturn in the economy – show that Brentwood hasn’t been immune to the national economic crisis of the last few years.
But maybe the worst is over; new businesses are starting to pop up here and there.
“I just opened Bellacures in Brentwood Village in February of this year,” Samira Asemanfar said. “A lot of businesses in the beauty industry have opened up this past quarter and we believe the economy is coming back.”
Landlords in the area have adjusted for the economic times, and lower rents made opening her business more affordable, according to Asemanfar. “Although still high, rents are much better than they were in 2007.”
According to local writer Burt Teplitzky, author of “Sell It With Humor,†this is a good time for deals on real estate and investing in creative dreams that may have been put on the shelf. There are lots creative people looking for work, and this means opportunity.
“Want to write or produce your book or TV show? This is the time to get talented people to do it reasonably,†he said.
The Brentwood Village Chamber of Commerce and the local toastmaster organization are thriving, Teplitzky said. “People I know are getting business from FaceBook and other social networking sites.”
When the going gets tough, many develop skills they never knew they had, becoming entrepreneurs, he added.
Other new businesses opening in the area include DrySpa on San Vicente and Anastasia, another spa on Wilshire.
Tough times bring out a desire to want to look and feel better, it would seem.
