The Inglewood Planning Commission will decide if Chick-Fil-A can replace the Big Lots on Manchester Boulevard with a drive-thru restaurant, pictured in this rendering. (Courtesy of the Inglewood Planning Commission)

The Inglewood Planning Commission will vote Tuesday to determine if a new Chick-Fil-A will replace the empty Big Lots on Manchester Boulevard. 

The special meeting will start at 7 p.m. in the City Council chambers of Inglewood City Hall (1 Manchester Blvd.) and will include a public comment period. 

Chick-Fil-A’s plans have drawn a variety of critiques from commenters on social media and during public meetings. Some have said that it won’t fix a lack of healthy food options in Inglewood —  exacerbated by the looming closure of grocery store Food 4 Less —  while others worry it’s a sign of on-going gentrification. 

Construction of the proposed drive-thru restaurant would mean demolition of the defunct Big Lots at 3003 Manchester Blvd. The drive-thru Rally’s next door would remain intact. 

The commission’s vote comes after discussions of the Chick-Fil-A plans were postponed in two earlier meetings — one from Feb. 4 and the other March 4.

Chick-Fil-A staff joined with city staff to walk through elements of the plan during a well-attended March 5 community meeting. Video of that meeting is available on the city’s Youtube page

Full details of the project can be found in the commission’s meeting agenda.

My background: I spent my early years in downtown Los Angeles and lived the last decade between Pico Union and University Park. Before journalism, I spent stints as an after-school tutor and a housing social worker. I’ve covered immigration, religion, housing, local government and a little bit of everything else for outlets in Los Angeles and beyond.

What I do: I keep an eye on local institutions — like city governments, police departments and school boards — and an ear to the ground for the good, the bad and the weird things going on in South LA and Inglewood. I tell you what I find out on our website, in our newsletter and on social media.

Why LA?: This place is home. I love the people, the cultures, the hills and the Pacific Ocean.

The best way to contact me: My email is isaiah@thelalocal.org. Find me on Signal @isaiahembee.23.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *