Your Favorite Neighborhood Place???
Our neighborhood businesses depend on us. A convention in town, a game at Crypto.com, a concert or event at Belasco is welcomed by every business. But day in and day out, our local businesses need us to visit and promote them. With that in mind, I asked residents and workers what South Park eateries, services, stores, and other spaces local residents would like to promote and to see thrive.
Of course, some of the most common responses were already popular places, such as 33 Taps and Duchess, but a lot of interviewees felt like the businesses deserved more recognition. The next most popular among my 25-plus subjects was Mafia Sushi with three shout-outs. Other popular mentions included Muffin Can Stop Us, Cabanas, and Cara Cara at the Proper Hotel.
Many types of services were also mentioned, from Bee's Organic Dry Cleaners to Nailed It nail salon. Residents said both Bellatec and CrossFit Muse had great workout communities.
But just because we think a place is great, doesn't mean it gets visited regularly. For example, an older man (who wanted to turn the graffiti towers into a theme park) shouted out Shekarchi but hasn't been in months.
I also noticed a lot of new neighbors who were just getting started on exploring. A couple who had just moved into Olympic/Hill mentioned loving going to The Mayan in their youth. Sad to see it go just as they moved in, they never thought they'd live right next door. A worker at the USC tower, only a week in, said he's already discovered Cabanas and a taco truck nearby. A neighbor formerly from Long Beach wanted to promote the amazing ravioli and pesto stand at South Park Farmer's Market. Meanwhile, an interviewee on Olympic said he goes to Throw Clay at least once a week thanks to a membership.
Additional mentions came from a vegetarian woman who likes to take her wife to Cow Cafe and Moonlark's Dinette at The Hoxton. One young resident and his girlfriend traveled around the whole neighborhood and said to check out Sold Out Society Thrift Shop and Bo Daddy's BBQ. He included the unnamed (confirmed by a clerk inside) convenience store on Pico and Flower saying they had great service: "they didn't have something I wanted and the next time I went, there it was." A worker on Main has Aladdin as his go-to place for lunch: "a spot you don't think about or trust unless someone takes you." A young man on 11th pointed out South Park Pharmacy for their cafe which is a "super dope place to get work done with great wifi."
Coffee had its fans in Ideology and Virtu, while Smoke World and Green Qween were the top smoke shops. Klaudette's Kitchen food stand across from LA Live was the highlight for a woman walking her dog on Hope.
Finally, discoveries I made during my interview: Michoacan has a lot more than just ice cream, Cafe Fig has a great lounge, and Audio Graph brews the best beer!!!
Enjoy exploring!
By Justin Orkin
Business addresses:
33 Taps -1240 S. Figueroa
Aladdin – now closed
Audio Graph – 1203 S. Olive
Bee's Organic Dry Cleaners – 417 W. Pico
Bellatec - 1144 S. Hope
Bo Daddy's BBQ – 1415 S. Hill
Cabanas – 1003 S. Hill
Cafe Fig – 939 S. Figueroa
Cara Cara at Proper Hotel – 1100 S. Broadway
Cow Cafe – 342 W. Pico
CrossFit Muse – 1354 Margo Street
Duchess – 312 W. Olympic
Green Qween – 1051 S. Broadway
Ideology Coffee – 1115 S. Hope
Klaudette's Kitchen - food stand across from LA Live
Mafia Sushi – 1111 S. Hope, #100
The Mayan – 1038 S. Hill
Michoacan – 1113 S. Hope
Moonlark's Dinette at The Hoxton – 1060 S. Broadway
Muffin Can Stop Us – 1201 S. Hope
Nailed It Spa Salon – 426 W. Pico
Shekarchi – 920 S. Olive
Smoke World – 1113 ½ S. Hope
Sold Out Society Thrift Shop – 113 E. 11th
South Park Farmer's Market – Grand between Olympic and 11th
South Park Pharmacy - 1120 S. Grand #103
Throw Clay -1006 S. Olive
Virtu – 1212 S. Flower #101