Category: Small Business

Lola Café is an exciting new Oaxacan-themed restaurant that opened on June 30th and is quickly becoming a favorite breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot on Colorado Boulevard.

We checked in with Lola Café’s owner, Orlando Rodriguez, to learn more about his vision for Oaxacan-Californian cuisine:


What is the story behind Lola Café?
I’m from Oaxaca, Mexico, and have resided in California for approximately 12 years. Over the years, I’ve worked for various companies in different roles and had the privilege of serving many influential individuals in the culinary industry. I constantly compared techniques from around the world to those of Oaxaca, and I was struck by the striking similarities. It all began because of my mother’s bakery in Oaxaca, where I received my initial culinary education. In that bakery, we exclusively used a traditional clay oven, capable of baking 100 to 150 loaves of bread at a time. We heated it with firewood and employed only wooden utensils. I mention this because my mother taught me to cook using these methods.


What made you want to open an Oaxacan-themed restaurant in Eagle Rock?

When I was told about the community of Eagle Rock, I was tremendously excited. It’s a tightly-knit, hardworking, and friendly neighborhood. However, as a newcomer, I didn’t know what they favored. There was substantial competition from excellent restaurants in the vicinity. It was then that I remembered my mother’s advice: ‘When you do something, do it with passion, or don’t do it at all.’ I contemplated offering California cuisine with an Oaxacan twist to diversify the typical offerings and to share my Oaxacan roots and culture through my food. It’s not 100% authentic; it’s an infusion of Oaxaca and California, prepared with love. Lola Café is a family restaurant that is forming with the support of friends and acquaintances. One person who has been instrumental in this venture is my friend Gerardo, who manages Lola Café’s kitchen. Each dish is crafted with an Oaxacan touch and presented in an appealing manner.


How do Oaxacan dishes figure into Lola Cafe’s menu, and what dishes would you recommend to someone who hasn’t had Oaxacan food before?

The name Lola Café pays homage to the most significant person in my life, my greatest inspiration and support: my mother, Lola. Oaxaca boasts a diverse range of dishes and culinary treasures, and this is what we aim to convey in every one of our dishes. Each dish was created with the intention of not appearing too foreign or exotic to people’s palates. It’s just a touch of Oaxaca. For example, our Chile Relleno omelet with Oaxaca cheese, panela cheese, and salsa borracha on top is a blend of Californian omelet flavors with the distinct flavors of Oaxaca cheese and salsa borracha, offering a unique twist. Or consider our Oaxaca Fries, featuring Oaxaca cheese sauce and a sprinkle of chapulines powder (they’re not crickets). One dish I’d love for you to try is the Ribeye Chilaquiles with mole and salsa Macha, toasted chiles, and eggs prepared to your liking.


How has the response been so far from Eagle Rockers, and what are you looking forward to as more people try out and become more familiar with Lola Cafe?

The people of Eagle Rock have been incredibly welcoming. We’ve received numerous recommendations from those who have tried our dishes. On our first day, we didn’t even have a printed menu, just a handwritten note. The first person who tried our food posted a photo on the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Group page, and that’s where the Lola Café story began.

🦅 🥞 🌯 ☕
Lola Café
2040 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
lolacafe2023.com
(323) 561-3029
Open Daily: 8am-3pm

Relentless Brewing and Spirits opened in the heart of Downtown Eagle Rock on the north side of Colorado at Caspar Avenue in 2019, and quickly became a local favorite for its exceptional menu, unique craft beers (brewed by co-owner James Hess at Relentless’ brewery in Temecula), signature cocktails, and lively indoor/outdoor space.

We caught up with Relentless’ tireless and welcoming co-owner, Doris Hess, to learn more about what has made Relentless such a central part of Eagle Rock:


What is the story behind Relentless?

Our journey began as a brewery in Temecula. In 2013, we relocated our family from LA to Temecula and established our brewery in 2016. Throughout the process, we observed the burgeoning competition in Temecula, with six new breweries opening during our construction phase. Recognizing this, we made the strategic choice to diversify beyond Temecula. Exploring opportunities, we set our sights on San Diego, OC, and LA to create a bar and dining experience – and ended up with our Relentless Brewing and Spirits in Eagle Rock.


What made you want to open a tap room and restaurant in Eagle Rock?

While searching for bar locations, we found the ideal spot in Eagle Rock. Its charm instantly captivated us. The neighborhood’s inviting vibe, combined with my familiarity from growing up in La Crescenta, made it even more appealing. Recognizing the need, I realized the area lacked a cocktail bar with eclectic Asian-inspired cuisine to reflect its diverse community.


What’s the inspiration behind Relentless’ menu?

Relentless offers inventive twists from many Asian cultures such as Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Hawaiian, and Thai classics with a Southern Californian flair. It’s a collaborative effort by our chefs, taking comfort foods and giving them a creative makeover. We embrace fun and creativity, valuing guest feedback.


Despite opening less than a year before a pandemic, Relentless has managed to become an indispensable Eagle Rock favorite. What and who are behind your incredible success?

One of our chefs, Ray Rivera, played a pivotal role. Amid the pandemic, it was mostly him and me for over a year before expanding the team. We revamped the menu, we offered to-go service, and my dedicated bartenders pitched in. Staying open and hands-on, our customers saw our Relentless Spirit firsthand. We want to be the local bar in town that everyone feels like it’s home!

🦅 🍺 🍸 🍜
Relentless Brewing and Spirits
2133 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
relentlessbrewingandspirits.com
(323) 439-9539
Mon – Tue: 5pm-10pm
Wed – Thur: 12pm-10pm
Fri: 12pm-12am
Sat: 11am-12am
Sun: 11am-10pm

Colorado Wine Co opened in 2005 as the brainchild of Jennifer and John Nugent. After Jennifer passed away in 2014, the wine bar was sold to new owners, but sadly saw decline in its upkeep and popularity. Another nine-year period has passed, and the space has once again changed hands, but thankfully remains as a local wine and beer tasting room.

New owners Brian Girgus and Ashley Berry are Eagle Rock locals that have paid homage to the Nugents’ original vision of a community-centered tasting room with a thoughtful refresh, expanded hours, and a rebrand as Western Station Beer & Wine.

Read on for an interview with Eagle Rock residents and Western Station’s new co-owner, Brian Girgus:


What is the story behind Western Station?

Well, we’ve lived in the neighborhood for a long time and we’d stop by the Colorado Wine Co, which existed in the same space, as our friend Dan worked there. It was easy to see the place was in need of some attention and was being neglected by the previous owners. We were fortunate to be able to buy it and give it the attention it needed to be a cool place again. We were well aware of the business that original owners Jennifer and John had created many years ago and we felt like we would be able to give it some of that life that it had where the owners are available and present enough to create a more vibrant place.


What made you want to open a wine bar and bottle shop in Eagle Rock?

Well, being that we’ve lived here for 10 years it wouldn’t make too much sense to try and do business in another neighborhood. I own and operate The New California Barbershop in Echo Park and it’s hard enough to drive four miles down the 2…… haha. An old wise man told me a long time ago that it was very important to work where you live. Especially true in LA.


How do you feel that Western Station fits into the Eagle Rock community?

We have so many friends from the music/arts/film community that we’ve been part of over the years that live around Eagle Rock and Highland Park, La Canada, Glassell Park etc. It’s a natural position for us to offer them all a place to stop in and take it easy for a little while.


After an extended cold and rainy season, what are some of Western Station favorites to enjoy as we move into the Summer?

Chilled wines and cold beers, no doubt about it! I like ice cold beer year round, but the Craftsman1903 Lager or a nice Sauvignon Blanc on a warm sunny day is beautiful thing!

🦅 🍺 🍷
Western Station Beer & Wine
2305 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
westernstationbeerandwine.com
(323) 274-4801
Sun – Thurs: 1pm-10pm
Fri + Sat: 1pm-12am

Haley Solar’s eponymous brand of unique and environmentally friendly fashion is all designed, sourced, cut, and sewn within a five mile radius of Eagle Rock. The designs can be found, along with a curated selection of women-owned, sustainably made, and vegan or locally crafted brands, at her charming shop on Eagle Rock Boulevard.

Haley shares her design and business expertise to help others develop their own clothing designs through a series of design and sewing workshops at her retail shop.

Read on for an interview with Eagle Rock’s own fashion icon, Haley Solar, about the workshops, her store, and her love for Eagle Rock:


What is the story behind your career in fashion? How did you come to open up a shop in Eagle Rock?

I have been sewing my entire life. I made all the costumes for my high schools theater and dance teams and headed straight to design school at 18. I started as a design assistant for a contemporary label in LA and pivoted to the retail world as a buyer and store director for mid size boutiques. I spent about 6 years at Anthropologie before leaving to start my own label in 2011. After spending most my time in factories or at trade shows I was really struggling and took some time off, took a serving job while I planned my next step and decided I missed the customer interaction and wanted to be part of a community so I decided to merge my two careers… fashion design and retail, and to open a store in my neighborhood, Eagle Rock, in 2016. I opened my shop with a little cash I had saved and a $2,000 loan from a friend. I kept my waitressing job for a year, working 15 hour days until I had established a customer base. I moved to a larger space a few blocks down Eagle Rock Boulevard in 2019 next to Muddy Paw coffee and opened our second store in Silver Lake in 2020 (I know!).


What led you to start offering fashion courses? What are your goals for the program?

I started sewing at 6 years old and I’m still mastering my craft. I learn new skills every day, it’s a very skilled and challenging job. I wanted to start offering classes to educate people in my community on how apparel is made. Garment work is something our society has really lost respect for with so much fast fashion flooding into our closets and instead of being depressed and feeling that my craft is being devalued I thought I’d do something about it and show people one by one how challenging and rewarding this work is.


What is the process to develop designs from concept to a wearable line?

Lol that’s a long process. It’s like building a house, you need the idea, materials the blueprints the execution the details. We teach all of those things, from sourcing to pattern making, cutting, sewing, fitting scaling production and getting your collection to market. We offer an intensive package that can crash course a semester at a fashion school in a weeks time and consulting for fashion businesses. I have 34 years of knowledge and I love sharing it.


Who are these courses for and how can interested people apply?

Our courses are taught by working fashion designers and are designed to teach beginners who are looking for a fun hobby all the way to people who are trying to launch their own line. Classes are by appointment and can be booked online here: https://haleysolar.com/collections/courses

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Haley Solar
4606 Eagle Rock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 381-5502
haleysolar.com
Mon – Thur: 10am-7pm
Fri: 11am-8pm
Sat: 10am-8pm
Sun: 10am-7pm

TERA is spotlighting Eagle Rock small businesses to support our neighborhood’s recovery from the pandemic. For February 2023, we are highlighting Talon Tap & Wine, Eagle Rock’s spectacular craft beer taproom and wine shop.

Below is an interview with Talon’s co-owner and wine expert, Tom Anderson:


What is the story behind Talon? How did you come to focus on craft beer and why did you land in Eagle Rock?

My wife, Nicki, and I bought Talon Tap & Wine a little over three years ago. Years of living and working in the Pasadena area led me to develop many wonderful relationships in the restaurant/wine world. When the opportunity to purchase Talon Tap & Wine, formerly named Craft Beer Cellar, presented itself, we were thrilled to embark on this adventure.

We concentrate on loading our shelves solely with smaller, specialty microbrews and avoid the mass production beers. By encouraging our guests to snap off single cans, they can choose, taste & experience a much larger variety. Of course, we a have terrific staff, who can steer you through the constantly changing choices in our bottle shop. Ben & Joe are very “beer savvy” and will help guide one through our weekly new arrivals. Our tap room draft beer selections also change frequently.

My real expertise is rooted closer to the wine world. There is a tremendous similarity to the early days of boutique California wineries and currently microbreweries that are opening. The explosion of so many local craft breweries, we expanded both beer & wine offerings to satisfy more guests.


What are some of Talon’s favorite breweries that you regularly feature in the shop or at the bar?

We love local breweries and of course Eagle Rock Brewery, Ogopogo from San Gabriel & Paperback in Glendale are all featured. Other huge fan favorites are Radiant Brewing from Orange County, Harland Brewing in San Diego, as well as Enegren & MadeWest from Ventura.


How do you see Talon fitting in the Eagle Rock community?

We’re excited to offer a casual place for everyone to taste exceptional craft beers & boutique wines in our Taproom and Patio. Sports has always been a passion of ours and the addition of multiple TVs gives our fans a place to enjoy baseball, football, hockey, golf and soccer. Our spacious, shaded outdoor patio is a great spot to host birthdays, showers or graduation celebrations.

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Talon Tap & Wine
1353 Colorado Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 274-4369
talontap.com
Sun – Mon: 11am-8:30pm
Tue – Thur: 11am-9:30pm
Fri – Sat: 11am-10pm