Will a Hipper, Bro-Centric Version of Starbucks Keep WeHo West Residents Awake?

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JOE & THE JUICE – NYC Casting #5 from JOE & THE JUICE on Vimeo.

Forbes magazine says it might be the next Starbucks. Business Insider describes it as a “chain (that) only hires hunks, and it’s conquering the world.”

But its new neighbors in WeHo’s West Hollywood West neighborhood worry that Joe & the Juice might be what keeps them up at night.

Joe & the Juice is a Danish restaurant chain with more than 170 locations in 17 countries, including 11 in New York City, five in San Francisco and one in Miami Beach and more than a dozen others in the works in the United States alone. There are four locations on the west side of L.A. County labeled as “opening soon,” with one at 8532 Melrose Ave., adjacent to the Lululemon store at the corner of West Knoll Drive.

Illustration of proposed Joe & the Juice patio behind 8532 Melrose Ave.

Joe & the Juice is hosting a neighborhood meeting on Thursday to address concerns by those living across the alley behind the Melrose restaurant about its plans to open an outdoor patio facing the alley. On the south side of the 249-square foot patio would be apartment buildings on West Knoll and houses on Westmount Drive.

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The West Hollywood West Residents Association is asking neighbors to show up for the meeting, which will be between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the restaurant location at 8532 Melrose.

“Although owners of this restaurant say that no table service or music will be played in the patio area,” WHWRA says, “neighbors across the alley and near-by are concerned they will incur noise and light trespass from this un-buffered gathering spot so close to their homes.”

Both the Forbes and Business Insider stories call out the hipster vibe of Joe & the Juice, with Business Insider noting that it “hires only cool hunky guys and promotes a very bro culture.” Forbes says “they don’t hire staff – they cast them online (#joecastings). Music plays a huge part of their concept and their staff create their own mixes and music.” A casting video (at the top of this story) that is posted on the Joe & the Juice website is likely to raise some neighborhood concerns (and attract a lot of hip barista wannabes).

Joe & the Juice serves coffee, sandwiches, fresh juices, smoothies and as well as veggie shots made with organic ingredients.

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WEHO boy
WEHO boy
7 years ago

Maybe it’s time for the resident’s to fight back against these loud late night places by making some noise of their own? We condo owners can install thermopane windows but renters can’t. So figure out something that disturbs them. But remember they will call the cops so be smart. Seems to me a person’s home is more important than a patio for drinks or eating.

Asher
Asher
7 years ago

I am all for patio’s back front side !!! Esp ones that are dog friendly!! When is the last time you walked by that area, there is barely enough space for two people to pass in the front of store let alone a patio ! And lots of crime happens in back alleys maybe a few sets of eyes won’t be a bad thing there used to be needles and liquor bottles back there before! even a permanent homeless encampment !! I walked by the other day not at all a stinky dumpster environment like people on here make it… Read more »

Jim Nasium
Jim Nasium
7 years ago

@Ss992—-oh yeah, it’s always a good idea to belly board down the aisle and body surf when you’re looking to get hired at this place.

But seriously folks, this place looks like fun. I’m just glad I don’t live anywhere near it. Especially on the other side of a fence in an alley.

Paul Pear
Paul Pear
7 years ago

These people in that video are morons. It’s just juice. A lounge like this next door to neighbors sounds like a nightmare.

Joshua88
Joshua88
7 years ago

Plant trees to absorb the noise.

Ss992
Ss992
7 years ago

The above video is not how their stores are during normal hours? This is a specific hiring event that they had in NYC. Why are people so quick to judge? They probably got told that it wasn’t possible to place the patio on Melrose, so of course they will try to get it on the other side?? Why don’t people just go to the meeting Thursday instead of complaining online?

Richard K.
Richard K.
7 years ago

Don’t let the word ‘Juice’ in the name Joe and the Juice lull you to sleep.
This isn’t some innocuous low calorie smoothie franchise.
This is full blown happening on steroids and that’s the way they like it.
Just check out their videos on YouTube and Instagram. It’s a party waiting to happen.
And that’s fine if the outdoor eating area and gathering space were at the front of the restaurant on Melrose instead of the rear. At the back they’ll be just 15’ from apartments, homes and neighbors and open 7 days a week.

WeHo conscience
WeHo conscience
7 years ago

Really, why a service alley with dumpsters and traffic? It’ll be fabulous during trash pick up. The video is fantastic. Makes the case really well. It’s a loud obnoxious bar. What are they really drinking that they are so wired? Looks like a rowdy bar / disco. In any part of the city, it should never be allowed to face homes or apartments. The entitlement runs with the land. When they grow weary of that lovely Melrose alley and move on, the next guy will get the alley expansion and the next guy will want the same but with dining… Read more »

Victor
Victor
7 years ago

Let’s ask Ed Buck.

Leslie K
7 years ago

Criticism of West Hollywood West residents on this site is predictable and tiresome. Joe&the Juice intends to remove the parking spaces for the business and replace it with outdoor seating 15 feet from homes. Do we really need to activate alleys that abut homes? As Manny commented, they should put the patio in front. Did Joe&the Juice decide they wanted outdoor seating after they signed a lease on a building that clearly had none? Will the city allow this use without a public hearing? Is this really a precedent the city wants to set?

Wehogigio
Wehogigio
7 years ago

In the video they’re all amped for no apparent reason. LOL!

In the video the say—-“I don’t think we’re going to be open tomorrow, there’s going to be a lot of complaints”

Seems awful anywhere, but next to someone’s house? Yikes!

ATL1975
ATL1975
7 years ago

1) This looks like the douchiest coffee house ever. We already have the Abbey – do we need ANOTHER douche-bro hangout spot?
2. Everyone knows that WHWRA – West Hollywood West Residents’ Association hates EVERYTHING, especially anything louder than a kitten (it is even alleged they hate kittens). They’ll protest this, sue the city, do whatever it takes.
I bet they never open or get over-regulated into boring oblivion.