"Some of the most active parts of the mall are once again on the outside." That's how Matt Epstein, president of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association, put it in his October 2026 Comings & Goings column. He describes restaurants and fitness studios along Westfield Fashion Square's outer edge, the side facing the parking lot, as "every bit as active as anything happening inside the mall."
He also says something many longtime Sherman Oaks residents remember. The mall at 14006 Riverside Drive started as a place where you walked outdoors from store to store. Today its busiest edge works the same way again: you park, walk to a door that opens onto the lot, eat or work out, and leave without passing a single department store.
Fashion Square Started Out Open-Air
A 1994 Los Angeles Times inventory of Southern California malls says Fashion Square Sherman Oaks opened in 1962 as an open-air shopping center, was renovated in 1977 and was enclosed in 1990. Water and Power Associates' historical notes on the Valley name Bullock's as the original anchor. They describe the enclosure as a 1988 to 1990 project that added a second level and gave the mall a Mediterranean theme.
Westfield's involvement came later. Commercial Real Estate Direct reported on December 24, 2002, that Westfield America Trust had completed its purchase of a 50% stake in the center for $67 million. The current owner, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, lists 2002 as its acquisition year and 2012 as the year of the last refurbishment on its portfolio page.
For roughly 35 years after 1990, Fashion Square was judged by what was inside it. Epstein's column lists the usual measures: which department stores it had, which retailers were coming and going, and what was in the food court. The mall's two anchors are still there. Westfield's directory still lists both Macy's and Bloomingdale's at Fashion Square. What has changed is where people are spending their time.
Kura Came First, and the Rest Filled In Around It
LAist reported on April 12, 2021, that Kura Revolving Sushi Bar's Sherman Oaks location had opened the week before. Five years later it is still there. Westfield's Kura listing describes Japanese food, prizes and drink-delivery robots. In his column, Epstein writes that "some days you'll actually see people waiting to get in."
Panini Kabob Grill is a few doors down at Unit 26A. Its Sherman Oaks location page says the food is made to order, with kabobs and paninis on the menu. Westfield's listing adds pasta and salads.
The newest restaurant took a while to arrive. In December 2025, What Now Los Angeles reported that Noodle St was planned for Site #26, between Panini Kabob Grill and BoxUnion, with no opening date announced. SOHA's June 2026 column still had it "inching closer to opening its doors" after a long "coming soon" stretch. It's open now. The company's locations page lists Fashion Square as "Now Open" at 14006 Riverside Drive #26, with hand-pulled noodles and house-made specials. By October, Epstein was describing it as "frequently crowded."
Two fitness studios make this more than a restaurant row. SOHA's June column listed BoxUnion Sherman Oaks among Fashion Square's new additions. According to Epstein, Orangetheory Fitness is "right next door." Those two studios, Noodle St, Panini Kabob Grill and Kura are the five businesses Epstein names along the side facing the parking lot.
The Strip Keeps Its Own Hours
The schedules show how this edge of the mall is used. Every business below has its own door to the lot, and together their posted hours run from before sunrise to late evening. These are the hours each business or Westfield listed as of mid-October 2026. Confirm them before you go, since hours change.
| Business | Weekday hours | Weekend hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orangetheory Fitness, Suite 120 | 5:15 AM to 8:45 PM, Mon–Fri | 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Sat–Sun |
| Panini Kabob Grill, Unit 26A | 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily | 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily |
| BoxUnion | 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Mon–Thu; to 9:00 PM Fri | 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Sat; 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sun |
| Noodle St, #26 | 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM, Mon–Fri | 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM Sat; to 9:00 PM Sun |
| Kura Revolving Sushi Bar | 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Mon–Thu; to 10:00 PM Fri | 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM Sat; to 9:30 PM Sun |
On weekdays the strip's posted hours span from Orangetheory's 5:15 AM opening to Kura's 9:30 PM close Monday through Thursday, and Kura stays open until 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. That's a full day of reasons to come to Fashion Square without shopping, which is the mall Epstein describes in October: "restaurants, fitness, entertainment, recreation, and experiences" that can't be shipped to your door.
What the Two Studios Charge
The two fitness tenants offer different workouts, and their pricing is closer than you might guess.
BoxUnion's Sherman Oaks page lists three options as of October 2026:
- A single class for $33.00
- A five-class pack for $150.00, which works out to $30 a class
- An unlimited month-to-month membership for $209.00
Westfield describes the class as 45 minutes of cardio, muscle-sculpting strength work and punches. Epstein adds that no boxing experience is needed and that one-on-one training is available.
Next door, the Orangetheory studio page lists memberships at $179 a month on a 12-month term, $199 a month on a six-month term and $209 a month with no term. Westfield describes the workout as heart-rate-monitored interval training split into cardio and strength blocks. Epstein calls it a one-hour total-body session.
Both studios charge $209 a month for a no-commitment membership. At BoxUnion's drop-in price of $33, that $209 equals about six classes. The real difference is commitment: Orangetheory's rate drops by $30 a month if you sign a 12-month term, and BoxUnion offers the five-pack for people who come occasionally. Both studios list these prices on their own pages, and they can change, so check there before you sign up.
Inside the Mall This Season
Epstein ends his October column hoping the "energy and creativity we're now seeing outside" will eventually reach the inside of the mall too. For the holidays, Fashion Square's holiday page mentions Santa photos, storytime, Mrs. Claus, carolers, trees and Hanukkah. 2026 dates hadn't been posted as of mid-October, so check that page before planning a visit with kids. The mall's current events list does include a Birthday Box party option from BoxUnion, so the boxing studio also hosts birthday parties.
The other Sherman Oaks mall already has dates on its calendar. The Sherman Oaks Galleria's events page lists:
- Salsa Night on Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Tree Lighting 2026 on Friday, December 4, at 5:30 PM
- Hanukkah Celebration 2026 on Monday, December 7, at 5:30 PM
Salsa Night falls two days after this post goes up. The Galleria's tree lighting is a set date in early December, while Fashion Square's holiday schedule is still unposted.
Fashion Square has never been far from the Riverside Drive blocks around it. For about the last 35 years, though, getting the most out of it meant going inside. In 2026, the most active part of the mall faces the parking lot: a noodle shop that took months to open, a sushi bar open since 2021 that some days has people waiting at the door, and two studios charging the same $209 a month for a no-term membership.
If you live near Riverside Drive and wonder how being able to walk to dinner and a workout figures into your home's value, I can help. As a longtime Sherman Oaks agent, I can show you how nearby amenities like Fashion Square's outside strip appear in recent local sales, and how complimentary staging can show buyers what your location offers. Reach out to Arthur Aslanian to request a complimentary staging consultation and market valuation.
