DOWNTOWN WEEKLY THE SPIRIT OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM VOL 15. NO. 12 JUNE 10 - JUNE 16
DTLLA MakeOver SMART BEARD
CUSTOM BEArd experience
Jean Pascal
FLoraL atelier at the rowdtla
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND
2 THE FULL BEARD OF DOWNTOWN WEEKLY
VOL 15 NO 12 - JUNE 10TH - JUNE 16TH / DTLAWEEKLY.COM
ON THE COVER SMARTBEARD: BENNY MAYBERRY
PHOTO BY: GARY LEONARD TAKE MY PICTURE LOCATION: ARTS DISTRICT - DTLA
SQUARE ONE OUR WARMEST WELCOME ...3 Jean Pascal - Floral Atelier at RowDTLA ....5
SMARTBEARD CUSTOM BEArd experience ....6 DTLA BARS Gear Up ....7 THE BEARD OILS
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DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND COMING SOON.....9 DTLA WEEKLY
editor and chief KERI FREEMAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
matthew ryan dylan lamb jackson roberts KERI FREEMAN DAN DEVON
photography GARY LEONARD
VIDEO Production
@kerieatsdtla design and layout @kerieatsdtla
social media
@kerieatsdtla
Special thanks to...
THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES & THE CITY OF LA ARTS DISTRICT CHINATOWN CIVIC DISTRICT BUNKER HILL EXPO/USC HISTORIC CORE LITTLE TOKYO FASHION DISTRICT FINANCIAL DISTRICT SKID ROW SOUTH PARK WAREHOUSE DISTRICT
DTLA WEEKLY All rights reserved. Downtown Weekly is a news, event, LIFESTYLE & Hospitality FREE community resource. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without express written permission from the publisher. DTLA WEEKLY, in support of local residents, businesses, workers and visitors of Downtown Los Angeles, publishes DTLA WEEKLY. Readers are recommended to make appropriate inquiries before wagering any sum in relation to any ad, article or feature published herein. DTLA WEEKLY will not be liable to any person for loss or damage incurred or suffered as a result of his/her
THEGRAWN ARTWALK NEWS
accepting, offering to accept or following any invitation or advice contained in any ad, article or feature published herein.
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DTLA NEWS l EVENTS l LIFESTYLE I HOSPITALITY P.O. BOX 86601 - DTLA CA 90086 - WWW.DTLAWEEKLY.COM 888-732-DTLA (3852) @DTLAWEEKLY
SQUARE ONE: OUR WARMEST WELCOME
DTLA
SQUARE ONE: OUR WARMEST WELCOME
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AFURI
arts district
uccess is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming. -John Wooden 688 Mateo street, la,ca 90021
SMARTBEARD KAI'S TABLE ARTS DISTRICT
SOUTH PARK
REACH 25k+ EACH WEEK
print per month
15
300 S. SANTA FE, ste c, L a, CA 90012
1091 S. Hope street, LA CA 90015
JEAN PASCAL: FLORAL ATELIER AT THE ROWDTLA
JEAN PASCAL:
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FLORAL ATELIER AT THE
A
ROW DTLA
dding to its collective of creative retail, dining, and lifestyle destinations, ROW DTLA welcomes former Ritz-Carlton Montreal tenant, Jean-Pascal Florist.
F
ounded in 2010 by Montreal-born, “The amazing variety of fresh flowers, French floral designer Jean-Pascal plants, and foliage at the Los Angeles Lemire, the eponymous full-service Flower Market offered an opportunity florist mixes traditional and modern, taking to expand my palette to include difa contemporary approach to ferent kinds of seasonal classic florals focusing on blooms—especially color and density. tropicals—that aren’t “ROW DTLA is an environcommonly found up ment full of creative minds In addition to serving and we want to be surround- north,” says Jean-Pasas a creative studio for cal. ed by those kinds of forJean-Pascal himself, the ward-thinking personalities. retail component of the We love the setting because The addition of space offers luxurious it has an East Coast vibe and Jean-Pascal’s studio flower arrangements reminds us of our home back at ROW DTLA provides yet another destination alongside a curated vase in Montreal, yet we are also emporium, candles, near the Arts District and the to the creative collective, allowing visitors to build books, curiosities, and downtown core, which are an entire day or outing seasonal topiaries. full of energy and inspirafrom the district’s variVisitors to the new shop tion.” ous lifestyle line-up. may catch a glimpse of Jean-Pascal at his First known as the LA Terminal Mar10-foot-long worktable, building a deluxe ket, ROW DTLA was built from 1917 to hand-tied bouquet or filling a Delf vase 1923 along the Southern Pacific Railroad with orchids. and continues to be a major hub for the distribution of produce across the region. The space is filled with inspiration for all The thirty-acre district and its historic, senses, including a soundtrack of jazz or music from a classic film, six large shelves industrial series of buildings have evolved into a walkable urban environment comshowcasing modern and vintage vases, prised of a unique and highly curated coland an aromatic collection of European lective of restaurants, retail shops, creative candles. office workspaces, galleries, event venues, and an abundance of amenities amid nearJean-Pascal moved to Southern Calily two million square feet of space. fornia from Montreal in 2017, and set up shop in downtown Los Angeles, giving Jean-Pascal Florist is located at him access to the world-renowned Flower 1318 E 7th St., M1, Suite 148 RowDTLA District. @jeanpascalflorist
DTLA MAKEOVER: SMARTBEARD by DAN DEVON
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SMARTBEARD
CUStoM BEARD EXPeriENCE
S
even years ago, cosmetic chemist, self-proclaimed “science geek,” and founder of SmartBeard, Bennie Mayberry’s natural curiosity led him to his passion for helping others with their skin issues. Back then, Bennie’s beard was budding, along with his knowledge of skincare conditions and leading products within the industry.
Yet despite the bold appeal of men’s skincare products, Bennie saw beneath the bravado of traditional men’s skincare marketing ploys. From then on, Bennie was determined to learn more about men’s skincare to help himself and others.
“I’m the type of person who’s going to use the internet, research it, read about all the ingredients, and understand why products use specific ingredients. I’m the type of person that takes things to the extra level,” said Bennie.
SmartBeard launched in 2019 after Bennie and his team of five chemists and a Ladera Heights dermatologist group, all POC, tested roughly 194 prototypes of beard oils. Each prototype went through a series of long-term tests that measured the
So he vowed to establish an innovative brand backed by science and focused on solving practical problems bearded men face every day. As a result, SmartBeard is here. “I wanted to create a beard brand that I would use personally. I wanted to create a beard brand that I knew had the science that I cared about; I wanted to educate men through it. That’s why it’s called SmartBeard. It’s about being smarter about what you’re putting on your skin—being smarter about what you’re putting on your beard. That’s the energy and essence of the brand.” said Bennie.
chemistry and enzymes that specifically target more significant beard growth. This science-based approach differentiates SmartBeard from the competition as the company’s beard oils and balms promote beard growth and work with body chemistry. SmartBeard’s products classify into three categories: Mainstay, Treatments, and the Custom Beard Experience. The mainstay products, designed for everyday use, include beard oils and balms formulated to promote beard growth and work with the body’s chemistry. The treatments, products meant to protect against patchiness, breakage, and split ends consist of foaming products, standard leave-inconditioners, and beard shampoos. However, SmartBeard’s Custom Beard Experience is what Bennie considers the “highlight” of his business as it represents an experience tailored to every customer. With the custom beard experience, Bennie works with the customer to create a beard product and fragrance uniquely tailored to the customer by blending seeds, fifty essential oils, and selections from SmartBeard’s Beard Boost Menu for a reliable and exclusive product.
Y
Advertise with Us - editor@dtlaweekly.com
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ou come in, and we look at your skin, the hair on your beard, and from there create a custom beard oil-based off your skin type, the problem’s you’re having, and based off, from a small perspective, how you like your beard the smell. We have big canisters of all different types of seeds. We have castor seeds, baobab seeds, sunflower seeds, black seeds, hemp seeds, and almond seeds. We have all these different assortments of seeds. We mix and match those seeds according to how thick or thin we need your beard oil to be.
A
ll seeds used by SmartBeard, sourced from five different farmers within the United States, are non-GMO, free of pesticides, and USDAapproved. Bennie wants to refrain from providing customers with an experience where the only thing known about the product is the fragrance. SmartBeard’s “Beard Boost Menu” caters specifically to customers’ skincare needs whether they’re experiencing dandruff, dry skin, in-grown hair, or other skin ailments. The final product results in the customer receiving a bottle of personalized oil with their name on it. Bennie then saves the formula for future reference just in case the customer desires more.
SmartBeard’s products speak for themselves. Within two years, the brand has managed to divert veteran beard enthusiasts from their products and even featured in the “[The Custom Beard Experience] is for Grammy’s and Oscars. As a result of his success, Bennie has noticed prominent guys who are just tired of shopping around and looking at all these beard brands responding to SmartBeard by products and still not getting results,” switching to a more science-based approach to marketing their products. said Bennie.
COSMETIC CHEMIST BENNY MAYBERRY PHOTO BY GARY LEONARD
He believes this is the future of men’s skincare as men will become more educated about their beard products and refrain from buying products based on word-of-mouth. “You’re going to see more and more men’s skincare lines having no other choice than to become highperformance, more intelligent, and more science-based because men are going to want that more. Especially once they start to see the difference within their skin,” said Bennie. The SmartBeard retail store is in the Art District of Downtown Los Angeles at 300 S. Santa Fe Avenue. @trysmartbeard
8 DTLA HAPPIEST HOURS
DTLA BARS Gear Up For
BIGGEST NightlifE
I
Revival Ever
t had been a long cold, lonely winter. Covid had swept through the town, leaving our most cherished bars and restaurants boarded up or reimagined. For some local bar favorites, there would be no return.
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ovid bar restrictions would be a storm that would come in waves, the first blast altogether shuttering many downtown bars that didn’t include food menus. The second wave, a simultaneous presence of empty offices, shuttering business, and fleeting tourism, leading to empty streets. The aftermath, our new way of life – Al Fresco. And we made Al Fresco look good, didn’t we? Patio dining, string lights, palettes, foliage, even staging; we welcomed our new traffic-side brunch Al Fresco lifestyle. The Arts District’s The Little Bear Bar, fresh out of hibernation, served us hearty cheeseburgers, Belgium Beers and their take on the THE GOLDEN GOPHER is documented to be the conventional S’mores, which, oldest bar in Los Angeles, with King Eddy just a to our delight, helped fight off year behind.Eddy just a year behind. the cold winds of early February. For those restaurant bars able to accommodate outdoor seating areas, the downtown celestial cocktail map became one of sparkling stars, few and between, peering thru the clouds of early Spring nights. Even though they too lost their light with most bars closed, especially during the week by 10pm. 9:45!!! With this new day thrust upon us as we reluctantly excepted the “last call for alcohol,” as we sipped intermittently behind the mask. By mid-March, those determined to drink among friends, led by Saint Patrick, took to the bar stools at Dublin’s as early as 10am while others stood in line for hours anywhere after 6pm, waiting for a table. We did what we could. Hi-Fi of South Park, enlisted mobile food vendors and there was even a hint of Vegas, as mixologists at Court District’s Hill Street Bar poured signature cocktails, found nowhere else, into dainty capped to-go cups. With May Covid numbers succumbing to a rigorous Spring, we hosted Cinco De Mayo celebrations in revolt. One hosted by Danny Trejo at Bunker Hill’s Pez Cantina>> Later that same month, our town witnessed the return of Uncle Cedd Mo’s Golden Gopher and Seventh Grand in the Finance District just in time for Memorial Day.
S
DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND VOL 15 NO 12 - JUNE 10TH - JUNE 16TH / DTLAWEEKLY.COM
oon, Downtown Weekly “Own the Night” writers began sighting more and more patrons roaming around town than there were bar seats to accommodate them. After months of living on the verge of the unknown, somehow in the back of our minds, we knew it was only a matter of time before Downtown bars would reopen. And that time is now, as we stand on the eve of the most anticipated party weekend of the century. With Covid restrictions finally being lifted on June 15th, downtown bars will make good on their promises to reopen this week! Here’s a list of top 10 bars to visit this weekend.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND
who AMONG US can
complete the challenge ?
W
e’re not saying we’ll ever go vegan, vegan, vegan, although we’re not entirely against it. We’re just saying, maybe it’s time to take a short break.
The Spring Street Strip The Historic Core rekindles a part of its former self with the reopening of the Falls Lounge, Tuesday, June 15th, featuring house Djs, Karaoke, cocktails and live jazz, along with a Nothing major. We are not trying to force anybody or tell anyone how to live their returning calendar of weekly events. lives or even what to eat. We suggest that our community lead the way by Looks as though all of Spring Street from taking a small interruption in the form 6th to 7th will be LIT with the reopening of of an annual two-day event coming soon, Exchange LA. Expect sparks to fly with known as (DTLA) Vegan Weekend. hyped-up performances by Gareth Emery Friday, June 18th, added by its traditional For two days in June, DTLA Weekly will weekend night mayhem as crowds let out of this four-story historic techno palace that once be presenting DTLA Vegan Weekend. held the LA Stock Exchange. Why Vegan Weekend? Underground venues expect to reopen, joining To Celebrate Our Good Intentions as we the Reserve night club in Spring. Just up the explore new flavors and alternatives to eating animals while supporting local road, in the Old Bank District, June 15th businesses. will mark the return of the Circa 93 Group Continental Club. Circa 93 will also revive the underground Queensbury on the cusp of To pay homage to all the animals we eat each year and those we may have yet to Fashion District West & South Park. eat, throughout our lifetimes. Chinatown has already seen the return of To have some fun! And, who knows? We Songbird Cafe, this time featuring Cabernet, while the Grand Star Club’s long-running, may actually change some lives. 80s mashup, CLUB UNDERGROUND, How to Participate!!! returns Friday, June 18th. From June 18th – June 20th, Downtown LA is invited to take the DTLA Vegan Weekend Challenge!
PEZ CANTINA, LA TACO & DANNY TREJO
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That means; no cheese, no dairy, no animal skins, no beeswax, and of course, no meat. And we’re asking them to take to social media to tell the world about their experiences.
TO PARTICIPATE Follow. Like. Comment. Share. Tag @dtlaweekly Hashtags!!! #dtlaveganweekend #dtlaveganweekendchallenge #veganchallenge #VEGENDNWARRIORS #DTLAVEGAN and…. Join DTLAVEGAN group on Facebook. There are those among us who can complete the challenge and help bring attention to the cause while helping to promote local business. These brave VEEGEND WARRIORS will have a chance to win prizes from dozens of participating local companies, including one of a dozen “DTLA Starter Packs” loaded with free giveaways and vegan delights. AND a chance to become “DTLA Vegan of the Year.”
To be clear, we understand, eating vegan for some will be an enormous task. The entire summer solstice weekend includes reopening long-shuttered DTLA bars, two wine tastings, a marathon, and a bike race. The Vegan Weekend Event also occurs during one of the most anticipated BBQ weekends of the summer, the African American Juneteenth Celebration. (Not, to say there isn’t any vegan soul food, because of course there is, but turning your back on well-seasoned BBQ and potato salad? Yes. We Can! Take the Challenge! For vegans and vegetarians, this will be a snap! DTLA VEGAN WEEKEND is COMING JUNE 18-20th!
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DTLA BARS GEAR UP!
BIGGEST NightlifE Revival ever
DT WEEKLY
CLASSIFIED ADS LOFT TO SUBLEASE Historic 750 ft loft for $2,200/mo New Kitchen & stainless steal appliances Floor to ceiling windows. Pets allowed 12 Mo. Preferred. Contact Luna@unyquefinancial.com
WORKERS PREPARE A NEW AWNING AT THE FALLS LOUNGE
Take the high road with reservations at Cha Cha Cha LA in the Arts District. This newly opened rooftop restaurant bar gives Downtown every reason to celebrate a top third-story plateau complete with sunsets and great authentic food inspired by the traditional tastes of Mexico. The Fashion District West, Wayfarer, food and beverage program is as splendid as its view at night and by far one of Downtown’s most memorial rooftop experiences.
Just below, inside the adjacent lobby of the O Hotel comes highly recommend newcomer, IL FIORE, “the flower”, a fire lit excellence capturing the essence of high-end dining and cocktail mastery. No word of dates for reopening the Nomad Rooftop Bar or the Wolves just yet, but there is word Bottega Louie will be returning July 4th. Some of these venues will require proof of vaccination. The best advice would be to contact each forum before visiting. Where ever we head this weekend is sure to be a celebration. #DTLAWEEKLY
EVENT PLANNERS WANTED Experience in Acquiring Sponsorships a MUST. Professional & Well Organized. Friendly. Positive People Need Only Apply. Salary Based on Experience editor@dtla-weekly.com BRAND AMBASSADORS NEEDED For Upcoming Trade Show Events. No Experience Neccessary. Will Train. ALL AGES and BODY TYPES Welcome to Apply. CALL 888-732-3852 - Ask For Diana BINGE LA Seeks Artisan & Food Vendors for upcoming events Visit www.bingela.com for more information.