Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso Affiliated, owner of The Grove (photo by Edwin Folven)

Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso Affiliated, held a luncheon for approximately 250 guests Wednesday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Grove, and to thank and honor the employees and vendors who have made the shopping destination a success. The shopping mall is located adjacent to the L.A. Farmers Market at the corner of 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue.

“Today is about The Grove becoming a part of the fabric of L.A. and becoming an important part of the community,” Caruso said. “It’s been a wonderful ten years, and we are looking forward to a lot of fun in the next ten years.”

Caruso honored nine service ambassadors who have worked at The Grove since it opened: Grigor “Coco” Fitilchyan, Larry Meenan, William Aceituno, Edward Velasco, Irma Linares, Gregory Anderson, Carlos Torres, Javier Santoya and Eddie Wilson.

The celebration also featured special performances by Jake Simpson and the Los Angeles Inner City Mass Choir, which sang Happy Birthday.