Metta World Peace, née Ron Artest, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, will soon be opening a business in Long Beach’s 6th Council District, according to Andrews.
Located in south Wrigley, Third Wave Market— a health-food marketplace that will include a coffee shop, a juice bar and an eatery— is expected to open this summer, according to Andrews’s office.
The Third Wave Market took the name from the third-wave coffee movement that has produced and offered high-quality coffee.
The councilmember and NBA champion began collaborating on the project last year.
“Good businesses are crucial for our economy,” Andrews said. “Business owners are now seeing the improvements that we have made in the central area, as well as the great benefits that our community offers. More and more businesses are coming to the 6th District.
The new business will be located on the ground-floor level of the Mental Health America (MHA) building at 1955-1965 Long Beach Blvd. In the discussion to move MHA to this location in order for Schroeder Hall to become the new East Division Police Department, Andrews championed the idea for the new business site to be added as a community benefit to activate storefront amenities, according to his office.
“We have been looking to open a restaurant in Long Beach for years, and we couldn’t be happier that our first location will be in the 6th District with Councilman Andrews,” said Metta World Peace. “I look forward to working with him to bring in more jobs and a ‘Class A’ business to the 6th District.”
The councilmember will also be bringing a new retail commercial development to the district in conjunction with three-time Super Bowl champion Willie McGinest.
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Metta-1.jpg” align=”right” lightbox=”on” caption=”NBA player Metta World Peace (left) began working with 6th District Long Beach Councilmember Dee Andrews (right) on a new eatery/coffee shop last year, and officials expect it to open this summer.” captionposition=”right”] The development is expected to include a Starbucks coffee shop and will be located at the former Whistler liquor store site, located at 941 Pacific Coast Highway, which Andrews, along with McGinest, had demolished in 2011 because it was a “crime hot spot” that had over 1,200 calls for service from the Long Beach Police Department, according to Andrews’s office.
“One of my top priorities was to clean up this area and to bring in new businesses that create jobs,” Andrews said. “With the new retail and commercial development, I have been able to complete both of these tasks, as well as to enhance the Pacific Coast Highway corridor. This development includes a coffee shop that offers residents amenities and a place to congregate, socialize and experience first-class service, as well as food and beverage as a bonus.”
Andrews had been working on the project prior to the dissolution of redevelopment.
The Long Beach City Council approved the project this week.
“The 6th District has always been a part of my home,” McGinest said. “I am grateful for Councilman Andrews for continuing to work with us to make this development possible.”
In addition to the Pacific Coast Highway development, Andrews brought forth an agenda item on March 8 in support of a Wrigley landmark business that has been a staple in the Wrigley area since 1980.
In addition to approving the land sale for the new retail commercial development, the Long Beach City Council approved funding for a restaurant parklet at Buono’s Authentic Pizzeria on Willow Street.
It will be the first established parklet dining area outside of downtown Long Beach and 4th Street Retro Row.
