We’re back with July’s photo update around CityWalk Hollywood! Here, we take a look at progress on the multiple projects taking place throughout CityWalk as Universal Studios Hollywood still remains closed.

Let’s get started!

Park Update Index

» Daily Operations
» Howl at the Moon
» NBC Sports Grill & Brew
» Toothsome Chocolate Emporium
» IT’SUGAR
» Sublime Gifts & Finds
» Universal Studios Store
» Universal Studios Hollywood


Daily Operations

Additional locations have opened up since our most recent update, including Antojitos, Jamba Juice, IT’SUGAR, Mini Monster, and more, though Starbucks appears to have closed again. CityWalk remains open from 12PM-8PM daily, and crowds have picked up since its initial reopening, though are no more extreme than the average weekday in the past. A handful of signs reminding guests how to properly wear face coverings have also appeared, while security remains vigilant as ever in enforcing the new rules throughout the premises.


Howl at the Moon

All the way on the upper level of CityWalk, the former location of Howl at the Moon remains empty and unchanged, with no apparent plans for a future replacement as of this moment.


NBC Sports Grill & Brew

Walls have come down at NBC Sports Grill & Brew as construction appears to wrap up both on the inside and out. The big screen installed prominently above the entrance to the restaurant continues to play various sports clips, just the same as the many TV screens scattered about inside. New planters add a finishing touch to the nearly completed site, while additional signage has gone up all around the building. The restaurant also features a patio off to its far right side shaded by a spaced-out multicolored awning, though tables have not yet been placed out as of this update. However, the interior of the restaurant appears to be nearly complete, as visible through the windows located all throughout.


Toothsome Chocolate Emporium

Work appears to have paused on the transformation of the Hard Rock Café into Toothsome Chocolate Emporium. Walls have come down all around the building only to reveal new planters surrounding its entrance, likely installed to add charm to the site if construction truly is paused. A palm tree has been planted off to the side, surrounded by red and yellow flowers. Some Hard Rock Café signage is still visible on various parts of the building, including the door handles, though all of the windows have been blacked out to prevent guests from seeing in.


IT’SUGAR

After undergoing a one-year renovation and temporary relocation, IT’SUGAR has finally completed construction and the store has reopened to the public with a new Wizard of Oz theme. As guests enter the store, they will find themselves greeted by the main characters of the film, made almost entirely out of jellybeans. Updated displays, posters, and other various statues located all throughout add a refreshed sense of the charm to the location, while the slightly more spaced out walkways make it easier to get around the store.


Sublime Gifts & Finds

The former location of Sublime Gifts & Finds remains empty and unchanged, with still no announcement of any future replacement.


Universal Studios Store

The Universal Studio Store has reopened with limited capacity, selling much of the same merchandise as before, though with the addition of a retro Universal Studios Hollywood collection of apparel, posters, buttons, and more; Grad Bash 2020 items in the sale section; a handful of shirts and toys celebrating the upcoming new ride, The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!; Universal-themed masks; and other items based on the Trolls: World Tour film.


Universal Studios Hollywood

As the theme park remains closed with no reopening date, we thought we would share some photos taken from the front entrance plaza during our visit.


From all of us at Inside Universal, we hope you are doing well, and thank you for following our continuing coverage of Universal Parks and Resorts.