Zambezi Bazaar, the Africa centric gift and fashion shop in Leimert Park Village with the great mural sign has closed, according to Najee Ali. The community activist took these photos and posted the news on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/NajeeLAactivist), where he posted the photos at the bottom of this story.

Over the years, the Kimbrough sisters have been some of the most outspoken and active business owners.

Zambezi Bazaar is family-owned and operated by siblings, Jackie Ryan, Mary Kimbrough, and Alden Kimbrough. They have been operating in Leimert Park Village for nearly two decades.

“Zambezi Bazaar is considered a prime locale when individuals are looking for arts and cultural memorabilia,” said Senator Price on Small Business Day in 2012. “Collectors can also find out-of-print literary work there, as well. The Bazaar is a staple of the Leimert Park Village community.”

Co-owner Jackie Ryan also serves as President of the Leimert Park Village merchants Association.

The sad news comes at a time of much interest in our downtown, the Soul of Los Angeles, Leimert Park Village.

The business owners seem serious about trying to make the village more of a draw for the local community and for the region. Check out their Facebook page to keep abreast of events - including a meeting this morning - https://www.facebook.com/leimertparkvillage2020

Despite the sad news today, there is good news.

Papillion Gallery opened, the Leimert Telephone Company is taking off and the Art Walk

The media has taken note, including a story by Leimert Park Beat member Angel Jennings in the LA Times:

Station identification - Los Angeles Times

1. Leimert Park Art Village: The Struggle with a Sense of Place KCET-Feb 19, 2014 Observers, denizens, and visitors of Leimert Park Village might never imagine or believe that the area is below sea level, and was once a ...

2. A Planning Charrette for Leimert Park Village The South Los Angeles Report-Feb 13, 2014 Thank you to everyone for the tremendous turnout for the Leimert Park Village 20|20 Vision Planning Charrette on Saturday January 25th @ the ...

3. Leimert Park art renaissance in bloom at Papillion gallery The South Los Angeles Report-Feb 18, 2014 The contemporary gallery and the newest addition to Leimert Park Village, part of local efforts to restore the neighborhood's reputation as an ...

5. Politics and government LA Observed-Feb 10, 2014 ... research and the prospect of sharing a private collection of contemporary art with the world." Report. A turning point for Leimert Park Village.

6. Atlanta Black Star An African-American Heritage Tour Complements LA's Pan African ... Huffington Post-by ted danson-Feb 19, 2014 Leimert Park Art Walk takes place on the last Sunday of every month. ... John Singleton has called this district "The Black Greenwich Village." ... Leimert Park, What's Cool Eugene Weekly-by Andy Valentine-Feb 27, 2014 Leimert Park, What's Cool. Article | February 27, 2014 - 12:00am | By Andy Valentine. Dom Kennedy. Despite never writing lines over three beats long, Dom ... Growing Up Japanese American in Crenshaw and Leimert Park KCET-Jan 30, 2014 For close observers, signs of a Japanese American presence are visible throughout the Crenshaw district. Tract homes with finely sculpted ... Papillion Brings Contemporary Art to Leimert Park - Michelle ... Virtual-Strategy Magazine (press release)-Feb 6, 2014 Papillion opens in Los Angeles' famed Leimert Park with the group exhibit “OPEN” February 15, 2014. The exhibit includes artists from all over ... Vergee's Palace de Bella Donna hair salon prepares for Leimert ... The South Los Angeles Report-Feb 25, 2014 The hair salon is a cultural icon in the predominantly African-American neighborhood of Leimert Park. Owner Vergie Huddleston has been ...

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