Vinadore Studio & Café, one of West Hollywood’s more unique cafes, closed tonight.
Vinadore was known not only for its food, but also for hosting community painting events (with wine and boba tea) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. There also were open-mic nights where local residents could step up and sing.
Vinadore, located at 8157 Santa Monica Blvd. on the northwest corner of Crescent Heights, was opened in April 2015 by Denton Lai.
“I wanted to exist in a space that didn’t draw a line of separation between art and leisure,” Lei said in an online post about Vinadore. “Comfort and quality. I’ve always loved food, sometimes even obsessively. 😉 I relish the subtle differences that one can achieve as a chef. And I find painting to be the exact same kind of discipline. Thus…”
“We love seeing groups coming together, introduced as strangers, departing as friends, and the beautiful thing connecting them all is the paint that they share,” Lai said in explaining the painting sessions. “And the image they all leave with is a shared one, seasoned with each individual’s unique touch. And a glass of wine never hurts in the artistic process.”
Sepi Shyne, a candidate in the March 2019 City Council election and a patron of Vinadore, expressed her regrets at its closing in a post on her Facebook page.
“Sadly, another gay-owned small business is closing their doors tonight in my neighborhood. Vinadore Studio & Cafe – Social Painting West Hollywood Los Angeles has been an incredible business in our community and where HRC Los Angeles, and Stonewall Democratic Club have held Pride Breakfast events. We will miss this amazing business and must do something more for our lovely small businesses that keep closing. Denton Lai, we will miss you, your incredibly delicious food, wonderful open mics and paint nites and commitment to the community.”
Vinadore is said to be closing because the owner of the property, a small shopping plaza that includes Traktir, the Russian restaurant, has sharply increased its rent. WEHOville has been unable as of publication to confirm that.
This makes 4 restaurants closed in that area; three on Harper @ S.M. and now this one. Great job WeHo in making sure that you attract and retain community minded businesses. Keep building more expensive high rises that sit vacant that serve to only increase the rent in the neighborhoods and add blight. You should be so proud of your urban development plans. Really coming to fruition.
That sucks.
Sounds to me like not a lot of people have ever heard of this place. Enough with the “gay business” bs, it’s irrelevant.
Another great place closes due to high rents.
Another small business forced to close due to the greed of a landlord. It’s time for the City Council to implement Small Business Rent Control to preserve and protect small business owners against ridiculous rent increases.
I agree!! What are we doing to attract and keep business. How do the leasing agents sleep at night? I don’t know who to blame…the agents that know the outrageous rents, difficult permitting process, lack of parking and high turnover or the entrepreneurs that don’t ask questions and sign up for an uphill battle to make money? Take the space at 8703 Santa Monica Blvd. Was a jewelry store for years, moved because of rents, became a cheese shop, closed because of rents, was a bistro/bakery, closed because of rents and finally, just the other week La Tropézienne CLOSED. And… Read more »
Unfortunately the business plan appears to start at City Hall in the finance department or higher.
Don’t forget the lack of middle class in the city. And for those who are middle class – after all the taxes we must pay (and high rents) – there’s not much left over to spread around to the local restaurants.