Long-vacant storefronts leased along Third Street Promenade.

Proving its ongoing strength as a destination for both tourists and the national retailers that love them, Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade is in the midst of another large spate of leasing.

The flurry of activity comes after sales tax receipts along the strip rose 14 percent in 2003 from the year earlier, and has taken some long-vacant space off the market.

The new openings start this month with T-shirt manufacturer Skinny Minnie's first fashion apparel store at 1435 Third Street Promenade. The 2,100-square-foot space has been vacant for more than two years following the departure of restaurant Matisse.

Surfwear manufacturer and retailer Quiksilver is opening a Boardriders Club at 1422 Third Street Promenade in late summer or early fall, in space formerly occupied by Tommy Hilfiger.

Paper products retailer Papyrus in August is opening in a 992-square foot space at 1458 Third Street Promenade, the previous location of Broadway Bar & Grill. And Spanish apparel retailer Zara is scheduled to launch its store later this year at 1336 Third Street Promenade, another location that had been vacant for more than two years. An opening date won't be set until renovations, said to be extensive, on the 24,000-square-foot space are under way.

Rents are fairly consistent with last year's, hovering between $7 and $11 a square foot, said Rob York, partner with Fransen Co., which works with the Bayside District Corp., the group that acts as the Promenade's business improvement district.

He said that stability is unlikely to hold. With two remaining vacancies on the Promenade, York said demand would start to drive rents higher.

He said negotiations were under way for those two sites, the former Hennessey + Ingalls Art + Architecture site at 1254 Third Street Promenade and the former Reebok site at 1225 Third Street Promenade.

Downtown, Unplugged

Going to the park and going to work may not be mutually exclusive in the Pershing Square area for much longer.

In an effort to lure more visitors to Pershing Square Park, the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles has issued a request for technical and cost proposals as it looks to create a wireless fidelity, or WiFi, district in the park, at Fifth and Olive street.

The CRA is also hoping the WiFi zone will boost patronage of businesses surrounding the park and support the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks' programming activities there, according to the RFP.

Funded by the CRA and the Department of Water and Power, the two-year contract carries the option to renew for two additional years. Proposals are due July 12. The selected company will be responsible for finalizing design, specifying and installing the equipment and providing around-the-clock operations of the WiFi zone, including customer support.

Recovering From Clinton

More than a week after the Bill Clinton book signing, Esowon Books co-owner James Fugate said he is still recovering from the crowds and the media attention.

At least 4,000 people descended on the bookstore, at 3655 S. La Brea Ave., on June 26 when the former president signed copies of his memoir "My Life," Fugate said.

While Clinton could only sign 1,500 books, the shop sold 1,800 of the 3,000 copies it had on hand, at the $35 cover price.

"A lot of good things came out of it," said Fugate. He noted that the store has attracted some new customers because of the publicity. He said sales have been consistent with last year's.

Despite this, Fugate said he wouldn't rush to do another signing of this scale anytime soon.

"I wasn't happy with it," said Fugate. "I don't like the big book signings. There are always too many people for me."

There were tears and outrage from people who couldn't get in, said Fugate, adding that some people started chanting "More tickets," when they were turned away.

"I believe it took a week to recover physically," said Fugate. "It was the biggest thing we've ever done. It will be a long time, hopefully, before we ever do anything like that again."

Staff reporter Rebecca Flass can be reached at [phone], ext. 230, or at [e-mail]