Los Angeles is saying goodbye to a Chinatown institution. Yue Wa Market, a neighborhood grocery store, will close its doors this week, marking the end of an era for a community undergoing rapid change.
The closure isn’t just a business shutting down; it’s a loss of a gathering place and a reminder of how quickly L.A. neighborhoods can transform.
- The Explore L.A. team revisited some of their most impactful stories of 2025.
- These stories highlight the unique character and challenges facing Los Angeles.
- From a closing market to moving homes after wildfires, the pieces offer a glimpse into the heart of the region.
- The team also explored a Japanese cola named after the city and a decades-long obsession with lilacs.
The team at LAist reflected on a year of stories that captured the spirit of Los Angeles, from intimate portraits of local businesses to explorations of the region’s hidden corners. Here’s a look back at some of their favorite pieces from 2025.
When Yue Wa Market closes this week, Chinatown will lose a neighborhood anchor
Table of Contents
- When Yue Wa Market closes this week, Chinatown will lose a neighborhood anchor
- After two decades, one man’s obsession with the lilac is coming to an end in Idyllwild
- Go inside LA’s old General Hospital before it turns from a spooky Art Deco time capsule into new housing
- These LA homes were about to be torn down. Now they’re getting new life in fire-ravaged Altadena
- When it comes to figs, it’s woman vs. squirrel
- The story behind the Pico-Robertson mural depicting working-class Jewish history, painted by a Filipino artist
- We went looking for a Japanese cola named ‘Los Angeles’ — and found a story about home
Yue Wa Market blends into the storefronts of Broadway in L.A.’s Chinatown.
Reporter Josie Huang spent the final days at Yue Wa Market, witnessing the family who runs it say goodbye to their customers as a chapter closed in a rapidly changing Chinatown. “It showed, in a surprisingly intimate space, how every person leaves an imprint on their neighborhood,” she said.
After two decades, one man’s obsession with the lilac is coming to an end in Idyllwild
A small bundle of lilacs at the Idyllwild Lilac Garden.
Nathanial Torres
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LAist
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Producer Dañiel Martinez spent a day with Gary Parton, who is ending his two-decade obsession with the lilacs at the Idyllwild Lilac Garden. “It was an honor to catch the man at the end of his second career and an honor to tell his story,” Martinez said.
Go inside LA’s old General Hospital before it turns from a spooky Art Deco time capsule into new housing
The stairs to the old General Hospital.
Katherine Garrova / LAist
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Robert Garrova explored the historic General Hospital, a spooky Art Deco building soon to be transformed into new housing. He noted that getting access to places most people can’t is what makes exploring L.A. special.
These LA homes were about to be torn down. Now they’re getting new life in fire-ravaged Altadena
The top of the Saint George Street house.
Cato Hernández reported on a unique solution for fire survivors in Altadena: moving existing homes to new locations. “This showed me nothing is ever truly antiquated if you have enough drive,” she said.
When it comes to figs, it’s woman vs. squirrel
A squirrel daring you to make a move.
Boys in Bristol Photography
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via Unsplash
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Suzanne Levy’s story about the battle for figs between gardeners and squirrels resonated with readers, sparking a conversation about creative deterrents and even fig preserve recipes.
The story behind the Pico-Robertson mural depicting working-class Jewish history, painted by a Filipino artist
An image of Cesar Chavez, at the top of the photo.
Adolfo Guzman-Lopez
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LAist
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Adolfo Guzman-Lopez explored a mural in Pico-Robertson that celebrates working-class Jewish history, painted by a Filipino artist. He found the mural’s message of solidarity remains relevant today.
We went looking for a Japanese cola named ‘Los Angeles’ — and found a story about home
Los Angeles Cola.
Fiona Ng followed the trail of a Japanese cola named “Los Angeles,” which led to a story about identity and belonging for a Korean community in Japan.
