New Lassen's Closed, Could Re-Open Late Tuesday

If you’ve been by the new Lassen’s in Los Feliz in the last few days you’ve seen that the store has been closed—at least temporarily.

According to workers there Sunday, the Los Angles County Department of Health required the shutdown while remodelling went on in the juice bar area.

When Nature Mart occupied the space at 2080 Hillhurst Ave., patrons entered the juice bar and bulk bin area through a separate door.

When Lassen’s took over Nov. 1, workers knocked through the wall in the juice bar, linking the entire space, including the area where fresh produce was being sold.

Health Department Steps In

The Health Department, apparently, didn’t like that, and Lassen’s shut down to complete the work.

Lassen's had planned to remain open through the remodeling right into the Thanksgiving season.

According to workers at the Lassen’s in Ventura, the Los Feliz location will re-open some time Tuesday, as long as the Health Deparment gives the space its blessing.

Lassen's hopes to be open the day before Thanksgiving, and again the Friday and Saturday afterwards. All Lassen’s stores close on Sunday.

That protestors, who were there last Saturday and plan another demonstration for Nov. 26.  (See attached flyer in media box.)

And click here to see the group's Facebook page.

Picketing Outside Store Is Possible

The protesters are among the many locals upset about Lassen’s 2008 donations in support of Proposition 8, the voter initiative to ban same-sex marriage.

Another protest planned for Saturday was postponed when that group learned that the store would be temporarily closed.

See the group’s Facebook page here.

An online petition of people pleading not to shop at the store has attracted almost 1,500 signatures.

See that petition here.

Our own poll shows respondents saying “no” about 80 percent of the time when ask if they will shop at Lassens.

Could Lassen's Make Amends?

Meantime, some are wondering what would it take for Lassen’s to make amends?

One reader suggested in an email that Lassen's might give $30,000 to legalizing marriage equality, though he doubted gay leaders would be forgiving.

Another reader was more skeptical, noting that the Lassen’s family had held the line when similar issues were raised at several of their other stores.

Peter Lassen told us in an interview that he is committed to being in Los Feliz and sees it as nice community.

Other Organic Options

The troubles at the Lassen's location have been a boon to Naturewell, an organic food and juice bar on Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake.

Naturewell also has the "bulk bins" of grains and spices that help make Nature Mart so beloved.

Silverlake Juice and Tea, a new juice bar on Sunset Boulevard, is also attracting new business.