It’s a shame what happened to Alpine Village in Torrance

Neighborhoods
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I was born in Germany and really loved the Alpine Village vibes in Torrance. I enjoyed the food, the people, the music, the beer…

Now it’s an industrial outdoor storage yard for trucks, trailers, and shipping containers. The old buildings still stand, but I feel like they’re a sad reminder of what that place once was.

The man who founded and later sold Alpine Village also founded Old World Village in Huntington Beach. So if you’re in that area and miss Alpine Village, go check it out. You never know how long good things last.

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I didn’t know there was another Alpine Village in Southern California. Thanks for sharing. :heart_eyes:

What happened to Alpine Village was a slap in the face to every German immigrant and local in that area. I know money talks, but still. :zipper_mouth_face:

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I used to go there for Oktoberfest. It was a one of a kind experience. I almost cried when they closed that place. I hope to see the real Oktoberfest in Munich one day.

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So did I. I bought my first “Lederhosen” at Alpine Village. I went through my phone and found some old pictures. :cry:

I remember the grocery prices were kinda insane, but I paid up because I knew the place needed the support. It was the easiest way to get all these German groceries without driving from place to place.

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Wow, lovely memories! I’m feeling nostalgic. How could they turn that place into a truck stop??? I’d love to check out the one in Huntington Beach.

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I go to the German Club in Santa Monica sometimes, but it’s only open to the public for special events like Oktoberfest. They have great beer there as well. I never made it to Alpine Village.. which is a shame.

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What the heck? That should be illegal. Where was the outcry? I would have been furious if that was my neighborhood. :exploding_head:

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There was some outcry and even a petition back then. It just wasn’t organized enough.

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I signed that when it came out. :sleepy_face:

There was some news coverage around that time. As you said, maybe not enough, but people tried.

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This actually shows you what is wrong nowadays. Places like Alpine Village gave LA some personality.

You can build warehouses anywhere, but you can’t recreate decades of memories. So much history and character just gone. What a waste. Going from Oktoberfest and German food to trucks and shipping containers feels like a kick in the nuts.

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We lost a cultural hub that actually meant something to the German-American community and not only them to be fair. There is no other place that offers the same Oktoberfest vibes in Southern California.

I feel sorry for the small businesses that had to get out there. The owner made 43 million when he sold the place. It looks like it never really recovered after COVID.

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Like so many areas I grew up in.

That lockdown killed a ton of business. You can still feel it today. Bars that were once full and crowded aren't anymore. People got used to drinking at home.

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These are great pictures. That reminds me of my visits to Bavaria. I always thought all of Germany looked like that, but then I traveled to Hamburg and Berlin. :sweat_smile:

Sad to see such places disappear.

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