With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
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.
Alma, One Of L.A.'s Hottest Restaurants, Is Closing
Alma, downtown Los Angeles' revered and award-winning restaurant, will be closing on October 24. Alma was voted Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit in 2013 and has certainly been celebrated by several food critics, but it's curtains for the farm-to-table restaurant soon. Co-owners Ashleigh Parsons and Ari Taymor told food blog GrubStreet that in the end, it comes down to funding.
The pair recently attempted to raise $40,000 via Indiegogo and succeeded, raising $8,240 beyond their goal. However, the pair say that legal fees—accrued from being sued by a former adviser—ate up most of that.
The duo did say they're working on a number of projects that, while not Alma, will share a lot of the same community-minded goals, such as sustainability using ingredients sourced from local farmers.
"Through the Indiegogo campaign we were able to raise a substantial amount of money that we used for legal fees, which we used to try to get back on our feet. But a lot of our ability to maintain the restaurant was contingent upon us being able to wrap up the lawsuit in an expedient manner. To have that kind of cost, on top of running a small business, wasn't working out," Taymor told GrubStreet.
Support for LAist comes from
Taylor said they do intend to honor the Indiegogo perks they promised to their contributors.
Perhaps there's hope for Alma in other ventures. Starry Kitchen failed to meet their epic fundraising goal of $500,000, but the husband-and-wife team is now supplying food for Echo Park's new arcade bar, Button Mash.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist