This Woodland Hills Strip Mall Is Transforming Into A Stylish Lifestyle Center

Remember when outdoor shopping centers were still cool with being called strip malls? On that note, the latest to get a "lifestyle center" makeover is Woodland Hills Village, which is being transformed into Valley Country Mart as of right this minute. Set to unveil a slew of cool additions this fall, the Ventura Boulevard redevelopment will include a mix of over 30 new and existing eateries, shops, fitness and wellness studios, and more.

Upgrades include a fresh coat of white paint, refinished brick exteriors, and rustic-modern wood paneling alongside "outdoor seating, and lush landscaping, creating a welcoming space where visitors can spend time outdoors," per a release. Of course, there'll be parking — to the tune of 145 spaces, according to Daily News, which also reported that the project's price tag is "in the range of several million dollars."

The neighborhood hub will also be home to James Beard-nominated bakery Lodge Bread Co.'s second LA outpost (the first bakery is over in Culver City), Blue Bottle Coffee, and chic LA sweets shop Valerie Confections. Also joining the directory is Maude Woods, which is bringing its charming mix of home furnishings, decor, and vintage finds. (The boutique also has a location in Old Town Pasadena.) Longtime tenants like third-generation optometrist Alpert Vision Care, Boulevard Pilates, organic sips spot Healthy Greens, and Dr. V Weight & Pain Management are also staying on the directory; they're all open for business while the rest of their neighbors are confirmed.

At the helm of the project is (unsurprisingly) Runyon Group, which is also behind cool hangouts like PLATFORM in Culver City and ROW DTLA. Co-founder Joseph Miller explains in a release that Valley Country Mart will attract "the best merchants and culinary talent in Los Angeles to invest in an untapped market and bring a breath of modernity to the West Valley," while co-founder David Fishbein notes that "the elevated dining, art, culture, and impeccable design will foster a culturally rich neighborhood and provide a unique sense of place, unlike anything the Valley has seen." (We Valleyites are down for that.)

Jog your memory and explore the development's past and present in the Google Maps Streetview below, and stay tuned for more updates.

Valley Country Mart
20929 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364