Coming soon to West Malibu!
By: Gracee Arthur
The original Trancas market opened in Malibu in 1953 to serve what was then a sparsely populated western Malibu neighborhood. By the year 2000 when Hows purchased the market, west Malibu was a thriving rural beach community.
Sadly for the community, Hows’ Trancas Market closed in 2011 leaving west Malibu at a loss not filled by the generic Point Dume Pavilions. Malibu is 27 miles long and with gas prices at a premium it is more important than ever to be able to shop locally in our various spread out neighborhoods. I now have the pleasure of introducing you to the Trancas Country Mart as designed by local architect Doug Burdge!
“Trancas Country Market will be the ultimate reflection of western Malibu’s unpretentious lifestyle, show- casing mostly local retail stores, an open-air commons, cafes, charming farm-to-table restaurants, along with the much loved local garden nursery. Set on a 17 acre natural sanctuary amongst century old sycamores groves and adjacent to one of the finest beaches in California, the design warmly re- flects the timeless country vision of Malibu. Each barn-style building will be clad in antique barn wood and rustic metal roofing, and will have working barn doors with pocket sliders, allowing for great inside-outside retail activity.”
The current roster of tenants are Starbuck’s (which is expanding), Sea Lily, Trancas Nursery, Postal Annex, and the dry cleaners. Leases are currently being negotiated with new tenants , including a market , as well as a new restaurant La Spiaggia from the owners of the popular Tra Di Noi. The center across from Broad Beach Road offers expanded parking, and is also within walking and biking distance of Zuma beach, Malibu West and Malibu Park. The architect and owners of the center have worked with the community to preserve local businesses and maintain the open rural environment of west Malibu. Projected finish is late 2012.
