Santa Monica Finds Its "Place"

Back in the 80s, Santa Monica Place was a happening "inside" place, the prototype for a typical SoCal mall used in various films like "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Terminator 2."

Stores, Restaurants, Times: Santa Monica Place

But times change and over the years the "Place" lost some of its luster.

Often overlooked by everyone in favor of the less claustrophobic open-aired "Third Street Promenade" filled with happy people, dogs, and merry bands of street performers, the "Santa Monica Place" shut down in early 2008 to undergo a major retro-fit, to bring it in to the 21st Century.

Santa Monica Place Preview

Starting Friday, the re-vamped "Place"  opens anew, calling itself the only shopping center in L.A. with ocean views.

Louis Vuitton, Kitson, Burberry, and Betsey Johnson are only a few of the A-list stores included in the three-level, open-air center.

Food is a star at the property with six fine dining restaurants and an a food court.

To celebrate its grand opening, Blogging.LA is reporting that the first 500 people in line at 3rd and Broadway will get will receive gift cards ranging from $5 to $100. The cards will be handed out between 7:30 am and 9:30 am. The Disney Store is also marking the opening by giving out Mickey ears to their first 500 guests.

And the new "Santa Monica Place" is sure to be a boost to the local economy, since it's one of the only major shopping centers in the country to open this year.