Some Still Skeptical as PETA Has Grand Opening in Echo Park

Animal-lovin' Echo Parquenos had been waiting a long time for this moment, as the building on Sunset Boulevard near Mohawk slowly evolved into the new West Coast headquarters for PETA --People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Thursday night was the official opening. Echo Park Patch was in attendance, and had a chance to live stream some video and take a few photos.

You can see some of that  in the attached media gallery.

And click here for our Ustream segment that features Bob Barker arriving for the big night.

Nearby restaurants were asked to provide vegan treats for the event. These included ELF Cafe, Sage Vegan bistro and Mohawk Bend.

The perhaps most dramatic moment of the evening was the arrival of Bob Barker. Barker made a generous donation to PETA and finds the dog-friendly 82-year-old building that PETA renovated now named after him.

It's true, not everyone is keen about PETA's arrival in Echo Park.

Gale Holland of the Los Angeles Times notes in a piece published today that some in the community worry about PETA playing out its over-the-top media campaigns in the neighborhood.

As she says, PETA has already posted a sign above the new space showing a cat attached to electrodes.

Adds Holland about the cultural changes PETA is bringing to the 'hood:

The cultural change that PETA helped bring about also attracts and repels me. Sunset Boulevard around the PETA outpost is being colonized by vegan restaurants. It's great to see alternatives to fast food, but could the vegans learn how to cook first? Or show some imagination? At times, it feels like my neighborhood is under siege by phalanxes of kale salad and quinoa.

Yes, PETA can be a bit extreme, but it's nice to think they find Echo Park and Silver Lake--long a place where animals are important and valued--a good place to be.

For another take on the event, check out this posting from the EastsiderLA, who snuck upstairs last night to take some second-floor photos.