Spotlight-Long Beach LBX Neighborhood Market

The past lingers in every booth as LBX celebrates Halloween in a place once built for warplanes.

Mechanics from the Past Now Shop Among the Living

Where the C-17 once soared, echoes of the past are still present. The site that helped build the legendary C-17 Globemaster III is now home to Long Beach Exchange (LBX), a thriving retail and food hall destination centered around The Hangar. This repurposed space isn’t just for shopping and dining; it’s become a cultural anchor for the city.

Where the C-17 Once Soared at LGB, Business Now Takes Flight

The Hangar isn’t just a name, it’s a nod to the location’s past life as part of Long Beach’s aerospace manufacturing corridor. Before becoming a lifestyle hub, this area was where McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) assembled military aircraft, including the massive C-17 cargo planes. When aircraft production ceased in 2015, the site began a thoughtful transformation from industrial facility to cultural marketplace and social space. Today, visitors stroll through what was once a hub of American aviation innovation, now reimagined for food, family, and fun.

Reimagining the Space from the Past

Today, LBX is owned and operated by private developers, originally Burnham-Ward Properties and now managed by DJM Capital and PGIM Real Estate. These developers invested over $150 million to bring the 266,000+ square-foot Long Beach Exchange to life. While vendor markets and community pop-ups might seem small in scale, they play a key role in increasing foot traffic and sustaining the wide range of retail tenants, boutique shops, and local eateries that call LBX home.

More Than LBX Events

Beyond the monthly Neighborhood Market, Long Beach Exchange hosts a rotating calendar of events that includes live music nights, food truck rallies, pet-friendly pop-ups, art walks, and seasonal celebrations like Halloween and winter holidays. Its design encourages lingering with open plazas, shaded patios, and access to a curated lineup of culinary vendors inside The Hangar food hall. LBX has become a top Long Beach destination for families, foodies, and anyone looking to enjoy a laid-back afternoon with local flair.

Why Long Beach Market Works So Well

LBX doesn’t just rent space. It cultivates experience. That’s what keeps businesses happy, consumers returning, and the property value rising. It's a modern reuse of legacy land that now helps fuel Long Beach’s cultural and economic engine.

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Event Details

LBX Neighborhood Market: Dia de Los Muertos & Not So Spooky
• 📅 Date: October 25–26, 2025
• 🕒 Time: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• 📍 Location: The Hangar at Long Beach Exchange, 4150 McGowen St, Long Beach, CA 90808
• 🎟️ Admission: Free
• 📄 Details: Family-friendly vendor market with food, music, crafts, and Halloween-themed activities including a visit from Vampire Bluey.
CLICK HERE

The Second Owl Lands on 2nd Street

A family-run Thai Lao restaurant quietly takes over a familiar space—and brings staying power with it

A New Face, a Familiar Name

In a storefront that’s seen more than one business come and go, a new restaurant has quietly opened its doors on 2nd Street. But this time, things feel different. The Second Owl is the latest chapter for the family behind Owl Owl Thai Lao in Signal Hill, and their expansion into Belmont Shore isn’t about making noise. It’s about letting the food speak for itself.

Taking over the former Republic of Pie location, The Second Owl is already drawing in a curious crowd with its thoughtful dishes and laid-back energy. You won’t find banners or neon out front—just a humble sign, a short menu full of flavor, and a team that clearly knows what they’re doing.

A Quiet Anchor In a High-Turnover Spot

The address, 5272 E 2nd Street, has been through a few identities over the past few years. Republic of Pie had a brief run, as did Sancho’s Tacos before it. The spot seemed almost cursed, a place new businesses couldn’t hold onto. But that might be about to change.

The Second Owl comes in with something different: a proven kitchen, an existing customer base, and a tight-knit family behind the scenes. The original location in Signal Hill has already built a loyal following for its Thai and Lao dishes. Bringing that same menu and spirit to Belmont Shore feels like a natural next step, and the timing is just right.

Flavor First, and a Menu with Roots

The menu isn’t long, but every dish on it has intention. Regulars from the Signal Hill location will recognize staples like Nam Khao, a crispy rice salad that balances texture, herbs, and spice perfectly. There’s also Khao Soi duck, one of their standout dishes, which delivers deep flavor without feeling too heavy. Curries, soups, and Lao sausages round out a menu that feels both focused and generous.

Pricing stays in the sweet spot. Most dishes land between $17 and $23, which is more than fair for the quality and portion size—especially on this stretch of 2nd Street. It’s approachable for locals, which is likely part of the plan.

Happy Hour with Heart

For those who like to eat early or unwind after work, The Second Owl has one more thing going for it—a simple but solid Happy Hour, running Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 PM. Whether you're pairing a plate with a Thai iced tea or something stronger, it’s a welcome offering in a neighborhood where Happy Hour often leans more bar than restaurant.

The space itself is small and warm, not overly designed or stylized. There’s a vibe to it. It feels lived in already, even though the paint is still fresh. You get the sense that the same hands cooking your food were involved in setting up the dining room too.

A Bet on Staying Power

What makes The Second Owl compelling isn’t just the food—it’s the quiet confidence. There’s no big rebrand, no glossy marketing rollout. Just a family, already rooted in the Long Beach area, bringing something good to the table.

They’re not just filling space. They’re building something. And for a location that’s seen too many short-lived ideas, that might be exactly what 2nd Street needs.

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Event Details

The Second Owl – Thai Lao Cuisine

🪑 Features: Indoor seating, takeout available, weekday Happy Hour from 3 to 6 PM

📝 Vibe: Casual and inviting, with thoughtful dishes and a loyal following already forming

CLICK HERE