The AAA Automobile Club of Southern California has announced the closure of its West Hollywood branch located at, 8761 Santa Monica Boulevard. A sign posted on their storefront earlier this week states that effective November 3, 2023, AAA will shutter its West Hollywood location leaving many residents and AAA members grappling with the loss of yet another local business.
It’s not yet clear how long the branch has been in West Hollywood (one employee believes it’s been open for close to a decade), but the the AAA Automobile Club has been a familiar presence in West Hollywood, offering a wide range of services to its members, including emergency roadside assistance, travel planning, insurance services, and a wealth of resources related to automotive safety and maintenance. Its closure signifies the end of an era for local drivers who have relied on the club’s support and expertise that was walking distance.
AAA Automobile Club West Hollywood.- Photo by Mike Pingel for WEHO TIMESManagement at the West Hollywood branch were tight-lipped about the reasons for its closure. One source tells WEHO TIMES, that high rent is a factor, as well as the need for the company to downsize to a smaller location. A manager stated that they hoped to open another location in West Hollywood in the near future.
The closure has left many AAA members in West Hollywood being forced to navigate future in-person automotive needs to neighboring communities for assistance. There is a Wilshire branch at 5126 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles and a Santa Monica branch, 2730 Santa Monica Boulevard, in Santa Monica, CA, which could result in longer wait times during emergencies and inconvenience for those seeking in-person services.
“Thank you for being a loyal AAA Member,” reads the sign posted on their front window. “Visit us at the Wilshire or Santa Monica branches or visit AAA.com for online transactions, or the Auto Club Mobile App.”
The closure will likely continue discussions among local community members about the loss of yet another business in West Hollywood. Some have called for increased support for local businesses and organizations facing economic challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the meantime, West Hollywood residents and AAA members must adjust to the reality of of their local AAA no longer being within their city limits, marking a farewell to a trusted local resource.
This is very sad, it was a very good AAA office and perfectly located.
oh how sad. i liked the “vibe” of that AAA. very nice and friendly staff
What are we doing wrong to lose so many businesses, West Hollywood needs to form community committees throughout the city to help formulate comprehensive ideas and solutions. We need to be extremely proactive.
Hell no i’m not going to the location at 5100 Wilshire! Too freekin far! Hopefully another bar opens here and takes over the Tender Greens place which is really tired. I don’t know why they remodeled a few years ago the customers never returned. I like the private booths that they had while I was eating I could sit and talk to someone privately and having my private parts hang out for them to enjoy…
They are re-locating to a location outside of Weho where they don’t have to pay such a high minimum wage and high benefits. Just watch how businesses re-locate out of Weho into LA. It’s too expensive for them especially with that high rent.
conjecture
How do you know that?
because I own a dictionary. try looking up the definition of words
It’s 2023, who owns a dictionary?
if you’re proud of your ignorance; than there really is nothing more to say
Are you still sick of La Boheme? I guess it’s better than being sick from La Boheme.