A burned-out business creates problems for Sherman Oaks neighbors

Residents of Sherman Oaks feel neglected after nothing is done to address their ongoing safety concerns, as a feud between a burned-out business owner and the city continues.

“We wake up at night and hear people making their way,” said neighbor Jared Barbaza. “Nothing happened. We are completely disappointed with the community leaders, the system and most of all with this business owner.

Last April, flames tore through a vacant building in the 1500 block of Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. The location was to be the home of Creation Juice, the latest food company with 25 stores around Los Angeles. According to Marjan Sarshar, founder of Creation Juice, the concerns and problems in the area started piling up before the fire broke out. From the beginning, the place had problems with people getting into it.

“It was very sad, heartbreaking,” she said. “I wish I could take this matter into my own hands and solve it in my own time.”

Sarshar said that someone was loitering in her building and started the fire on April night. She blamed the city for delays in the permitting process to clean up the structure and deal with homeless people staying on the property.

The city’s Department of Buildings and Safety has shifted the blame to Sarshar, who cited her for a code violation and is preparing a criminal complaint to take action.

“We are worried that the structure will fall and injure someone,” said a neighbor.

Sarshar said she had made several attempts to erect fences and clean graffiti and should not be painted as a criminal.

The case will now be resolved in court because the neighbors are waiting. There is no timeline for when the building will be renovated.

“It’s just sad,” Barboza said.