Taking a look back at some of Downtown’s most beloved businesses hit hardest by the era of COVID 19. From eateries to corporate office buildings, DTLA will never be the same. Here’s a list of 10 Great Places That May Be Gone for Good in DTLA…
They should have been making Space Suits
Officials have ordered Los Angeles Apparel closed after four people died and 300 employees tested positive for COVID-19 in late June.
Without proper protections and distancing requirements, the manufacturing facility most likely became a hotbed for the infectious disease with COVID raging out of control right here in the fashion capital of the world. – Downtown Los Angeles.
According to the county Department of Public Health, an official order was issued mandating the “continuous closure” of the facility. Although this may not lead to permanent closure, there will be repercussions and the company living with the fact that at least four employees that are gone for good, allegedly in part to LA Apparels defiance of Health Dept regulations during the pandemic. https://losangelesapparel.net
Come Back with Our Zen – Bodhi Bowl
Downtown Weekly’s Stay Healthy Campaign just won’t be the same without Bodhi Bowls’ generous bowls of vegan wellness. Vegan owned and operated everything Bodhi created was 100 percent plant-based and cruelty-free. Too bad COVID 19 had to come and mess with our Zen. In late June, Bodhi sent out the goodbye message signaling the end of brown rice, quinoa, kale salads and wild walnut chorizo at their once-thriving DTLA location on 9th and Flower. Bodhi Bowl, as well as our Nirvana, may be gone for good. https://www.bodhibowlla.com
Uprooted at Stumptown Coffee on 8th
With a name like Stumptown, you’d expect the cafe couldn’t be so easily uprooted at their location on 8th and Los Angeles. However, what COVID 19 didn’t uproot, a night of riots followed by a month of protesting most certainly did. Stumptown Cafe windows have been bordered up for weeks as DTLA awaits word on a possible reopening date.
For smaller cafes in the region with roots that run a bit deeper, the closing of Stumptown wasn’t entirely a bad cup, many sighting the pressure to keep up profits since the more popular brand moved in.
For Stumptown lovers, your luck hasn’t entirely run out. There are still two other locations and DTLA can always order online. They are now offering Stumptown Coffee subscriptions last we checked. www.stumptowncoffee.com
Virtual Reality Takes another Museum – A + D Museum
Wow, we’ve sure had our share of good times at the A + D Museum. The gallery/warehouse doubled well as one of Arts Districts’ main exhibit hubs since moving from the westside in 2016.
All came to pass when the museum announced mid-June they would be closing its Art District doors forever and going virtual. Not a problem says top A + D executives as there were already plans to develop their virtual platform with COVID 19 relentlessly speeding those plans up a bit. With a fresh new business model A + D looks forward to continuing its mission in support of architecture and design. https://aplusd.org
Giver of Historic Fruit – Plum Tree Inn
There’s something a little extra sad about having to witness a family run business lasting over 40 years shut down due to the trying times. Such is the case with Chinatown’s Legendary Historic Plum Tree Inn.
Owners expressed early this month how incredibly grateful they were to have been part of so many of your wonderful memories and bid us all farewell for the time being.
Plum Tree Inn had mastered the trappings of a traditional Chinese Food Restaurant, holding firm to the brand’s nostalgia and giving the diner the experience of how a classic Chinese Restaurant once existed.
Bittersweet Farewell from Bon Temps
What’s going on at 7th and Sante Fe? First, the Firehouse Hotel closes without notice then it’s adjacent fine dining getaway, Bon Temps?
One minute we’re eating Chef Lincoln Carson’s Steak Frites with maitre d’hotel butter alongside housemade Cacio e Pepe and the next week, we’re reading Bon Temp’s last words.
“TO OUR BON TEMPS FRIENDS AND FAMILY, Due to the situation surrounding the Covid-19 crisis, we have made the difficult decision to close our restaurant permanently. Thank you for the support this past year. We were pleased to have taken care of you in the Arts District”.
The countdown to support Bon Temps is coming to an end, we now have about 4 more hours left to enjoy. Bittersweet just like their beloved handmade desserts. https://bontemps.com
Couldn’t Pass Inspection – Plan Check
Things seem to have gone from bad to worse when it comes to Plan Check. First, the Santa Monica location closed in 2019 and now Downtown’s location has shuttered. The “New American” industrial craft beer and tapas blueprint (jokingly) didn’t even stay long enough to pass inspection.
Their departure from DTLA only leaves their Sawtelle location open – but never fear we hear Plan Check is as tough as leather – ketchup leather that is.
Heartbroken Over Hammer and Spear
Hearts are breaking over the news of Hammer and Spear’s almost decade long love affair with the Arts District coming to an end.
Hammer and Spear launched in 2013, by husband and wife Scott Jarrell and Kristan Cunningham has been devoted to fine craftsmanship and design ever since.
A product and interior design studio helped the allure of the reforming Arts District, existing at the “crossroads of design”, so to speak, Hammer was located just across from the Sci-Arc and One Sante Fe. The whole of their love of high-end items only now reduced to fractions of the cost in time for closing day discounts thanks to the pandemic. For more information www.hammerandspear.com
The Thrilla in Manila at Uber
When COVID 19 forced a lockdown of offices citywide – large conglomerates were faced to salvage what they could while transitioning their workers from vibrant corporate workspaces to the newly incorporated home offices.
With almost an entire City working from home, those empty offices lay dormant paralleled with thousands of furloughs. Uber, who closed their DTLA customer service center back in March laid off 80 employees and moved its operations to the UBER Manila Center of Experience in the Philipines.
Just about every bar, inside dining restaurant, dance floor, and theater house… yup, you guessed it…still on a respirator.
Just when you thought it was safe to go out
The light at the end of the tunnel seemed to dim and fade away as three weeks of Grand ReOpenings coincided with spiking cases of Corona Virus. Governor Newsom once again pulled the plug on aspiring restaurants, Salons, gyms, theaters and bars already hit hard by the pandemic.
Gone for Good was the time and money; (i.e. food, supplies and preparing to provide social distancing protocols given by The Health Department mandates), yet DTLA has still managed to hang on after facing the realization of having to ride this one out much longer than we had hoped.
For restaurant bars set up to serve food on an outside patio while taking advantage of the lenient cocktail take out options, the fight for survival rages on in the age of COVID 19.
