The East Anaheim Plaza in Long Beach, once a bustling hub of community engagement and business, has been restored and re-opened to the public after a devastating fire two years ago, an event that left the area without essential services and a void in the heart of Cambodia Town, the city celebrated the plaza's comeback on Saturday, Nov. 16, in a ceremony attended by city officials, residents, and the firefighters who first responded to the 2022 blaze, as detailed by the City of Long Beach.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson highlighted the significance of the plaza's reopening, "East Anaheim Plaza isn’t just a place to shop – it’s a community anchor that provides essential services, keeps residents connected and supports the neighborhood in meaningful ways," according to an announcement by the City of Long Beach.
Reinforcing the local commitment to inclusive redevelopment, Sixth District Councilwoman Suely Saro remarked about the center's integral role, "By reopening this plaza, we are making sure our residents, including families and older adults, have the essential services they rely on close to home," which underscores the city's efforts to provide accessibility for all its citizens, as stated by the City of Long Beach.
Jasmine Tran, the owner of Spectrum Pharmacy, one of the plaza's anchored businesses, expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support of the local government and partners, saying, "We knew our community was counting on us, so we did everything possible to be there for them. From personally delivering medications to coordinating with nearby pharmacies, we kept showing up every day to make sure no one went without care" echoing the collective effort of all the plaza's businesses over the difficult period. Despite the fire's cause remaining unknown the shopping center, fortunately, saw no injuries among the firefighting team during the incident, as per the City of Long Beach.
