Southern California retail on Sunday braced for the worst of Hilary, the area’s first tropical storm in more than 80 years.
Operators, from shopping centers to local markets, didn’t take chances as the region readied for historic flooding and high winds.
Hilary’s original path as a category four hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm. However, the storm was still expected to bring significant flooding to various parts of the Southern California region. Flash flood warnings were issued from Beverly Hills to Compton.
Westfield Century City, Beverly Center, Fashion Island and the Melrose Trading Post said Sunday they were operating with either limited hours or not at all.
For the Melrose Trading Post, a popular market held Sundays at Fairfax High School, the closure marked the third ever in its 26-year operating history.
For Southern California retailers, the tropical storm follows unseasonably wet weather that kicked off 2023. The storms earlier in the year dampened the typical ramps retailers see during key shopping periods, such as spring break.
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