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You’ve probably driven past it a thousand times if you live anywhere near the Westside. That squat, one-story building on the corner of Washington Boulevard and Huron Avenue. For decades, it was impossible to miss. Huge block letters screaming "GUNS" and "KNIVES" across the facade, along with a massive, 20-foot painting of a rifle that basically served as a landmark for anyone heading toward the 405.
Martin B Retting Culver City wasn't just a store. It was a polarizing institution.
Some people saw it as a historical relic, a place where collectors could find a Luger from World War II or a rare Colt Peacemaker. Others saw it as a glaring eyesore, especially since it sat less than 900 feet from the front doors of La Ballona Elementary School. Honestly, the tension between those two groups defined the shop's final years.
By late 2023, the sign was gone. By 2024, the building was pink and covered in murals. Now, in 2026, the dirt is about to start moving for something entirely different.
The $6.5 Million Handshake
The end didn't come because of a protest or a lawsuit. It came because of retirement. Daniel and Ellen Retting, who had run the spot for years, decided it was time to hang it up. But here’s where things got tricky.
Because the shop opened in 1958, it was "grandfathered" in. Culver City passed a law in 2005 that banned gun stores within 1,000 feet of schools or parks. Retting was only 878 feet away. Since they were there first, they stayed.
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But the community—specifically a group of parents called Culver 878—realized that if the Rettings sold the business to another firearm dealer, that new owner might inherit the grandfathered status. They weren't about to let that happen.
In a move that some called brilliant and others called a massive waste of taxpayer money, Culver City stepped in as the buyer. They paid $6.5 million for the property in September 2023.
Was that over market value? Yeah, probably. The city even admitted the price was steep. But for the council and the local activists, it was a "safety investment." They weren't just buying real estate; they were buying the right to ensure a gun store never opened there again.
What the Shop Was Actually Like
If you ever stepped inside before it shuttered in early 2024, you know it felt like a time capsule. It wasn't like the sleek, modern gun ranges you see in the suburbs today. It was cramped. It smelled like oil, old wood, and history.
Martin B. Retting himself was a legend in the surplus world. He started out in New York before moving the operation to California in the 50s. The shop became famous globally among collectors. We’re talking:
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- Antique samurai swords.
- Niche European service rifles.
- Vintage daggers and belt-fed machine guns (deactivated, usually).
- A literal library of reference books for firearm historians.
The staff knew their stuff. You could walk in with a rusted hunk of metal your grandpa left in the attic, and someone behind the counter could probably tell you which factory in Belgium made it in 1912. That kind of institutional knowledge is basically extinct now.
The Pink Era and the Future
After the city took over, they didn't waste time changing the vibe. They hired the city's Artist Laureate, Katy Krantz, to lead a mural project. They literally painted over the "GUNS" sign with vibrant colors and community-sourced words. It was a symbolic scrubbing of the site's 65-year history.
So, what’s there now?
As of early 2026, the Planning Commission has finally settled on a path forward. Out of five major proposals, they’ve recommended an eight-story project. It’s a huge shift for that corner.
The "Washington Palms" Plan
The winning concept, brought forward by the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (WeHo CHC), is pretty ambitious:
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- 67 Units of Affordable Housing: Targeted at people who are actually being priced out of Culver City.
- Artist Lofts: The ground floor is slated for "live-work" spaces for creators.
- Community Art Center: A public-facing gallery or workspace to keep the "Crescent" area's vibe alive.
The building is supposed to have a "wedge" shape, sort of a nod to the iconic Culver Hotel downtown. It’s a bit ironic—going from a place that sold weapons to a place that houses people—but that’s the direction the city has chosen.
Why Some People are Still Salty
Not everyone is cheering. If you talk to long-time residents or Second Amendment advocates, they see the closure as the death of a legitimate, historic business. Gary Zeiss, a local who spoke at city meetings, famously called it "bad governance hiding under a social issue."
The argument is basically this: The store followed the rules for six decades. It was a tax-paying business. By spending $6.5 million just to stop a legal trade from existing there, some feel the city set a weird precedent.
Plus, there's the cost. Building 67 units of affordable housing is expensive. When you add the $6.5 million land acquisition cost on top of construction, the "cost per unit" is sky-high. Some critics think the city could have built twice as much housing elsewhere for the same price.
Actionable Insights for the Community
If you’re a Culver City resident or just interested in how urban redevelopment works, there are a few things you should keep an eye on regarding the old Retting site:
- Public Meetings: Even though a recommendation has been made, the final design and "breaking ground" dates are still subject to City Council votes. Check the Culver City official calendar for "11029 Washington Blvd" updates.
- The Mural Legacy: The temporary murals on the building right now won't survive the demolition. If you want to see the "transformation" art, go now. It’ll be a parking lot/construction zone soon.
- Affordable Housing Lists: If you're interested in the 67 units, keep tabs on WeHo CHC. These lotteries usually fill up years before the building is even finished.
- Support Local History: If you miss the "museum" aspect of the old shop, the memorabilia and many of the rare items were auctioned off or moved to private collections. There are still several specialized firearm historians in the SoCal area who keep the Retting archives' spirit alive through online forums and collector shows.
The era of Martin B Retting Culver City is officially over. The "GUNS" sign is a ghost, and soon, the building itself will be a memory. Whether you see it as progress or a loss of history, that corner of Washington Boulevard is never going to look the same.