History
of Los Angeles Cold Storage Company
Downtown
Los Angeles, the year was 1895, and ice was the business.
Los Angeles Cold Storage built its first ice production
and distribution plant. Soon after, Los Angeles Cold Storage
started providing refrigerated storage services for the
growing metropolis. Mainly to prolong the freshness of eggs,
fruits and vegetables LA Cold became an important member
of the food and ice distribution system for the growing
population of the "City of Angels". With the demand
for refrigerated storage services growing as fast as the
population, the six story Fourth Street warehouse was constructed
on the comer of Fourth and Central Avenues in downtown LA,
Classified as a public utility, LA Cold became the primary
supplier of refrigeration to many of the produce markets,
hotels and buildings in greater Los Angeles.
During
the 1930's and 1940’s, Los Angeles Cold Storage provided
ice and freezer buildings for upstart movie directors looking
for winter like settings in the Southern California desert.
With the end of World War II, and the arrival of the home
refrigerator freezer, the demand for ice block lessened and
the need for storage space kept expanding. Demand for freezer
storage space required that Los Angeles Cold Storage build
again and build we did. First, the largest cold storage facility
on the Pacific Coast was constructed on Central Avenue. Two
million cubic feet of sub zero storage space was built and
named the Central Plant. This same plant would later be doubled
in size to over four million cubic feet. In the l960's the
Astro Plant was built next door to the Central Plant. We sold
our ice production plants and we were out of the ice business.
During the 1980's and 1990's warehouse expansion continued
and the Fourth Street plant was renovated. It was now time
to concentrate on what we do best, providing progressive,
efficient and cost effective warehouse services to customers
nationwide.
With
awards for energy management, refrigeration design and modern
warehouses, a century of innovations are reflected in Los
Angeles Cold Storage's history. A history that reflects the
evolution of an industry. A history of growth and improvements
designed to meet the needs of the frozen food industry.
