Long Beach leaders, local business owners and community members recently celebrated the grand reopening of the East Anaheim Plaza in Central Long Beach.

The plaza, 705 E. Anaheim St., is a cherished center of connection, essential services and economic opportunity for residents of Cambodia Town and surrounding neighborhoods, officials said.

The reopening followed a fire that destroyed the commercial shopping center in December 2022. The shopping center was vacant when the Long Beach Fire Department responded to the overnight fire, and there were no injuries reported among the firefighters. The cause of the fire remains unknown, according to a press release.

“This reopening is a cornerstone for our community’s growth, and it shows our commitment to building a Long Beach that supports everyone,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement. “East Anaheim Plaza isn’t just a place to shop — it’s a community anchor that provides essential services, keeps residents connected and supports the neighborhood in meaningful ways.”The festive reopening event earlier this month reunited firefighters who responded to the blaze and featured stories from business owners and employees.

The ceremony, officials said, marked a meaningful step forward in Long Beach’s journey of community-centered growth and economic revitalization. The reopening of the East Anaheim Plaza reaffirmed Long Beach’s dedication to uplifting its small businesses and strengthening the local economy, they said.

“For many residents in Cambodia Town, the East Anaheim Plaza offers access to the care and resources they need right in their neighborhood,” Councilmember Suely Saro said in a statement. “By reopening this plaza, we are making sure our residents, including families and older adults, have the essential services they rely on close to home.”

This commercial space, the reopening of which the community celebrated on Nov. 16, is a center for health care, pharmaceutical needs and community services, particularly for older adults and families who rely on these essential services.

Over the past two years, the city has provided the impacted businesses and workers with various support, including assistance with small-business loans, navigating the city’s permitting processes and resources for employees who were displaced, according to a press release. In the wake of the fire, many businesses in the plaza worked diligently and shifted operations to continue providing essential services to residents.

“We knew our community was counting on us, so we did everything possible to be there for them,” said Jasmine Tran, owner of Spectrum Pharmacy at the plaza. “From personally delivering medications to coordinating with nearby pharmacies, we kept showing up every day to make sure no one went without care.

“I would like to thank the city and our many partners for their support over the past two years,” Tran said. “We are looking forward to continuing to serve guests at our beautiful new office.”