Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Sorry, Silver Lake Is Not Getting A Gun Shop
Nestled in the heart of Silver Lake on Hyperion Avenue is the shuttered MJ's gay bar that sits next to a busy Trader Joe's. And over the weekend, local folks got punked into thinking that a new owner would be taking over the spot, namely the Silver Lake Gun Shop. Is this another Nathan Fielder prank?
And we can't blame them for wondering. A huge banner hung over the gray facade of the building, with clip-art quality pictures of the American flag, fireworks and guns, accompanying the text: "Coming Soon, Silver Lake Gun Shop, (844) 340-GUNS, www.silverlakegunshop.com." If you went to the website, you'd get a barrage of 90s-style gifs of fluttering American flags and soaring eagles—like something you might find on an Angelfire or Geocities webpage.
LAist stopped by the space to investigate and saw that the sign had been taken down. A Trader Joe's employee who was walking by said that the gun shop sign had caused a stir in the area, and people were "pissed" that a gun shop would be opening in the area. One of his coworkers said he had talked to the owner of the bar and said that it was all just a prank, but he was still under the impression that the new bar would be called the Silver Lake Gun Club. He said this while he flexed his muscles.
Reza Fahim, the owner of what in fact will be a bar, stepped out of the door. He said that it was an "ambitious," but "bullshit prank" someone pulled on him. The bar is still under construction for remodeling, and he told LAist that it was actually going to be called the Tenants of the Trees. It's going to be "an indoor/outdoor enchanted cocktail bar filled with trees that evokes vibes of Beach towns in South America."
Support for LAist comes from
It's ironic that the pranksters would pretend the bar was going to be a gun shop, Fahim said: "It's going to be the most peaceful, enchanted garden bar vibe ever."
Fahim found the sign on his building on July 3, and took it down. I asked if he had seen the website. He had and noted again that it was an "ambitious" effort. When I called the number listed on the banner today, the phone rang endlessly. However, Fahim said that when he called the other day, he reached a voicemail message with a greeting saying that it was for the Silver Lake Gun Shop.
I also sent a message to the email address listed on the Silver Lake Gun Shop website asking for more information. After I spoke to Fahrim, I received a reply back from "Steve" who responded with: "Hi! What would you like to know?" I was tempted to pretend I didn't know the truth and ask whether they'd stock vintage pistols to appeal to steampunk hipsters, but instead I asked why he pulled the prank.
I don't expect to hear back. And so the mystery of why Steve felt so compelled to pull such an elaborate prank full of glorious American-themed clip art continues.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist