Silver Lake’s Flore Vegan Restaurant Finds New Space Despite Untimely Eviction

The nearly shuttered Silver Lake’s Flore Vegan found some new life this month. The 13-year-old restaurant planned to permanently close at the end of February, after the new landlord served eviction papers in late 2019. But in a surprising twist, Flore owner Miranda Megill has a new home. It’s less than a mile away at the former Local on Sunset Blvd. near Silver Lake Boulevard.

It’s been a whirlwind for Megill. In late 2019, developer Engine Real Estate bought the property with plans to re-tenant the entire building. The company boldly stated its primary goal on its website as “gentrifying neighborhoods of Los Angeles, such as Silver Lake, Echo Park, and Highland Park,” with an aerial image of its Silver Lake property. After Eater LA reported this story, Engine Real Estate removed this description and image from its website.

Megill launched a GoFundMe to help finance a new location for Flore. She heard from Local’s owner who shared his retirement plans, and suggested she take over his space. Megill negotiated a buyout and will take possession of the Local space on February 1. “The landlord at the new location is great,” says Megill. “Our goal is to make it a fairly seamless transition. The only factor is the timing of the health department’s approval of our permit.”

In other news:

—The Inglewood location for Randy’s Donuts will light up its iconic donut in purple and gold in tribute to Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. The former Los Angeles Laker and his 13-year-old daughter died in a helicopter crash last Sunday.

Courtesy of Randy’s Donuts

—Thrillist writer Wilder Shaw pieced together a five-day guide for those visiting Los Angeles. This comprehensive list details when to visit, where to stay, and most notably, where to eat.

—Over in Westchester, The Manchester reached its three-month mark this week. Its owners launched a Monday industry night, along with a new nightly menu that serves patrons until 1 a.m.

—LA-based roaster Cafe Luxxe opens in Long Beach on February 1. The location resides at the 2nd & PCH retail complex, and they’ll give away free coffee and cappuccinos tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Marie Buck

—The Park will close in March, according to The Eastsider. The Echo Park restaurant opened 12 years ago, and made the announcement by email. The space is already in hot demand though, as an individual filed an application to transfer The Park’s state alcohol license. More updates to come.

• Silver Lake’s 13-Year-Old Flore Vegan Closing as Developers Tout Gentrification Plan [ELA]