On Aug. 22, Big T Mini Mart, a convenience store located at the intersection of Third St. and Main St., announced its closure. Big T, a store beloved by many students from Alhambra High School and community members from the San Gabriel Valley, will shut its doors on Sept. 30 due to a 17% rent increase from their landlords.
According to Trent Yamauchi, the owner of the establishment, Big T first opened on May 2, 2015 with their rent costing $7,800. Being open for almost 10 years, the convenience store has been a staple for Alhambra students, selling snacks, drinks, and Krispy Krunchy Chicken. Since the store first opened, the property’s rent increased $340 every two years, totaling a rent increase of $1700 since Big T first opened.. Currently, Big T pays $9,500 in rent every month. However, the landlords informed the owner that the property’s rent would increase to $11,200 next year.
“We are not closing due to lack of business or lack of sales but we are being forced out due to our landlords,” owner of Big T, Trent Yamauchi said in an Instagram post.
This situation highlights the issues of increasing rent in Alhambra, particularly for business owners. In 2019, California legislature passed the Tenant Protection Act, also known as AB 1482 to cap rent increases at 5% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower; however, this law only applies to residential real property and does not protect business owners. This bill took effect on Jan. 1, 2020 and, unless renewed, will expire Jan. 1, 2030. That said, currently there are no regulations on rent increases for commercial properties in Alhambra. Similar trends of rising rent have increasingly affected restaurants and small businesses around Alhambra, reflecting soaring prices and a struggle to keep doors open.
“There are really no regulations on business leases. Alhambra has lost a lot of business in the last ten years due to rent increases,” Yamamuchi said. “ It’s sad because I have a building currently right next to me that somebody bought over five years ago, they all kicked them out and have never rented it out. I have a feeling that this place will be sitting vacant for over a year to five years.”
The closure of Big T marks a significant loss for the Alhambra community, highlighting the challenges faced by small businesses in the face of rising rents. As Big T prepares to close its doors, its legacy will live on in the hearts of those who have cherished its presence.
“Without regulations for a rent increase [for business] it creates the risk for businesses around Main street and Alhambra to close or increase their prices. I fear affordable food and products will disappear,” junior Hy Ngo said.
Big T will not be moving to a new location. Instead, Yamauchi plans to continue working with Krispy Krunchy Chicken, aiming to open their first corporate store in the San Gabriel Valley.