In a former clothing store in Santa Monica, young entrepreneurs hawk products live on TikTok, sometimes in marathon sessions that last many hours. Fans and customers can stroll onto the floor that was once filled with racks of trendy women’s apparel to watch them work and perhaps buy some of their wares.
Nearby, people play miniature golf in a former food court where the holes are designed as tiny movie sets — intentionally made for Instagram to boost customers’ social media feeds. Kids putt in the daytime. After dark, cocktails flow for the dating crowd and the karaoke lounge gets busy.
Down the way on the Third Street Promenade, resounding whacks of pickleball volleys pop out of a 1960s-vintage storefront last occupied by shoe seller Adidas.
Square footage is square footage...
