Topline:
Already hurting from the economy, downtown LA restaurants say they're seeing reduced foot traffic as people hesitate to come to the area. That and the curfews have meant they've had to creatively adapt, as they did during the COVID-era. Some are closing earlier in the evening, while others are pivoting to lunch.
Why it matters: Restaurants already operate with very slim profit margins. As food prices soar and customers eat out less frequently, downtown restaurants are having to struggle to find other ways to survive as the protests and the curfews means fewer people through the doors.
Why now: Last weekend's protests — and the likelihood of mass crowds this weekend — have meant restaurants have had to quickly work out how to operate in uncertain times.
Read on ... for what some restaurants are saying.
It's certainly not business as usual for downtown L.A. restaurants, which are changing their hours to accommodate curfews and reduced foot traffic caused by ongoing protests.
For the past two days, Yuko’s Kitchen and Bottega Louie have closed several hours earlier at 7 p.m., and Pizzeria Bianco has adjusted its closing time from 9 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. They intend to remain at these hours until the curfew is lifted.
“We’re basically just seeing what happens as it comes,” said Sofia Stavaris, host at Pizzeria Bianco.
Downtown LA restaurants are closing early and pivoting to lunch in the face of curfews and protests
Two restaurants told LAist they've decided to operate during the day, and have closed their doors temporarily to prepare. Camélia was closed Wednesday and Thursday, but will reopen Friday from noon to 6:30 p.m., with its nightly 4-to-6 p.m. happy hour. Meanwhile First Born is closed until the weekend, when it will offer brunch for the first time between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
In its announcement, Camélia included a comical throwback to COVID-uncertainty. “Camélia will be doing that favorite pandemic activity — say it with me now, PIVOTING — to lunch and happy hour,” the statement read.
As with five years ago, the protests and law enforcement presence have caused reduced foot traffic around downtown restaurants. “Customers don’t feel safe around this area,” said Savvy Parsons, the shift lead at Yuko’s Kitchen.
Though it may be hard to find the bandwidth to unwind or gastrointestinally tranquilize current concerns, these restaurants are offering a space to do so.
From the scallion pancake with smoked salmon at First Born to the burrito-style hand rolls at Yuko’s Kitchen, these restaurants are ready to serve the DTLA community this weekend — albeit a little bit differently.
