American Apparel's Very First Store Is Closing in Echo Park; Who Should Replace It?

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Here's a true sign of the times: following news that American Apparel is set to close many of its underperforming stores (but thankfully not its Oak locations, we recently learned), the troubled clothing manufacturer will soon shutter its first-ever store in Echo Park.

The Sunset Boulevard flagship, which opened in 2003, covers a generous 5,300 square feet. Although the parking royally sucks in the neighborhood, the location is rather prime and just steps away from traffic magnet Alvarado Street. The Eastsider reveals that the space's rent is "more than $29,000 a month" and "an adjacent storefront and the second-floor above the American Apparel shop is also available."

Now that AA is heading out (stay tuned for official closing date), who should take its place? The deal could go either way: a luxury designer can take us all by surprise and nab it as a juxtaposition to its Rodeo Drive-worthy designs, or maybe a cool indie retailer (we're looking at you, Need Supply!) will scoop it up with the help of a hip investor.