The property is owned by Peter and Leonora Wannier, who also own the current bookstore business down the block, which is set to relocate to the new facility.
At a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, local dignitaries and their representatives expressed excitement at the prospect of the new structure.
“Senator [Carol] Liu co-authored the legislation to ban truck traffic on Angeles Crest Highway because of the [April 1] tragedy. So, the bookstore project is very close to her heart,” said Casey Lo, field representative for Liu.
In that tragedy, a runaway commercial truck smashed through several vehicles on Angeles Crest Highway and killed two people before crashing through the front of the current Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse.
“This is a giant leap toward restoring a beloved business,” Lo said, of the planned construction project.
Creating drawings for the planned facility was a challenge, said Greg Powell, who designed the project for his company, Architecture Plus of La Cañada.
“It’s a great project, but because of the triangular shape of the lot, there were some unique challenges,” Powell said, adding that the fact that the property owners wanted to retain the half-dozen or so pine and eucalyptus trees also created a bit of ingenuity.
“The previous [lot] owners didn’t care, but the Wanniers wanted to preserve the trees. That meant we had to pull in the basement 5 feet and eliminate some parking, go back to the planning commission for approval, and it meant a lot more work,” he said.
The new facility will have underground parking, a larger bookstore and coffee house, as well as a clock tower, designed to add to the downtown community feel, Peter Wannier previously told the Valley Sun.
Although he previously planned to add space for a second retail rental space, that idea has been shelved, at least for the time being, Wannier said.
“In this economic climate, I think we’re better off occupying the whole space for the bookstore and coffeehouse. There’s a lot of commercial space available already in La Cañada. Hopefully, in three-to-five years we’ll be on the upswing and can revisit that idea,” he said.
The couple’s plan to create a business that compliments the town was appreciated by several who attended Monday’s ceremony, including City Councilman Dave Spence.
“This is obviously a very positive project for the city and for this corner. The owners have taken great pride in improving this corner and enhancing the city,” Spence said, adding, “They have spared no cost in bringing in the best facility they can to this community. And, that’s what happens when you have owners who care and live in the community.”
