Headlines: NELA’s 100-Year-Old ‘Highland Theater’ Closing in February, What Will Replace It?

Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and remember to always look at it closely.

—Highland Park: Highland Park native and community watchdog @TheNewYorkBlvd reports that North Figueroa Street's century-old working theater will be closing its doors next month. The Eastsider broke the news in August last year, citing then that the landmark's 99-year lease was about to expire. According to the building's ad on LoopNet, it boasts over 21,000 precious mixed-use square footage in Highland Park. The ad boasts Highland Park's post-gentrification average household income of $103,128 as a perk and shows an image slicing the historic building into a theater, two retail options, apartments, and more. Nostalgic responses have started to come in from longtime residents, expressing their dismay about the closure. Some are requesting newly elected City Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez to look into it. It is currently unpriced. [TheNewYorkBlvd]

—Hollywood: Pioneering punk rocker Billy Idol received his star on the Walk of Fame yesterday. He was the first new star of 2023 to receive a star. The frontman of Generation X—formed in 1976 in London—and singer of the hit "Dancing with Myself" is recognized as one of the first punk rockers to go mainstream. The event featured guest speakers Henry Rollins and Shepard Fairey. It is located at 6212 Hollywood Boulevard. [Hollywood Walk of Fame]

—Downtown: Smorgasburg L.A. has announced ten new food vendors ready to cook you delicious things starting this Sunday at 10 AM, including the mariscos pop-up Correa's Market, which used to be set up out of a tiendita in Lincoln Heights, and tender, chewy sourdough pizza wizards Quarantine Pizza Co.  L.A. Times has the full report. [L.A. Times]

—Long Beach: The Long Beach Utilities Department, which serves Long Beach and Signal Hill, said that the average single-family home could see an increase of $200 or more. [Long Beach Post]

—Seven-year-old Long Beach skateboarder to compete on national stage. A McGaugh Elementary first-grader has been invited to Florida to compete for the youth national championship. [Press Telegram]

—Los Angeles is seeing retail rents creeping back to to pre-COVID-19 levels as stores return to popular streets. On Rodeo Drive, Loewe and Louis Vuitton help push vacancy rates under 5 percent, while the Melrose area is expected to welcome new Margiela and Gucci boutiques.[The Hollywood Reporter]

—Inside the LAPD’s secretive, multimillion-dollar private funding arm. A Times investigation reveals how LAPD officials work with the Los Angeles Police Foundation to solicit private funding for the public agency. [LA Times]