The Abbey and the Chapel, longtime landmarks of West Hollywood’s homosexual nightlife scene, have been offered to a brand new proprietor, the enterprise introduced Wednesday.
Patrons of the historic spots have been assured the present administration workforce will keep in place and the restaurant and nightclub will stay open, the corporate introduced together with its new possession on Instagram.
“The Abbey is greater than only a bar. It’s been a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ group by powerful and good instances alike,” former proprietor David Cooley stated in saying the sale.
The restaurant and nightclub have been purchased by Tristan Schukraft, a tech entrepreneur who has lengthy been a patron, Cooley stated.
“That is each an honor and a big duty,” Schukraft stated. “I plan to respect and honor the Abbey’s historical past whereas bringing new concepts that replicate our evolving LGBTQ+ group and my private method to hospitality.”
Schukraft stated he has been going to the Abbey for years. It was the primary homosexual bar he went to in Los Angeles.
The brand new proprietor lives in Puerto Rico, the place he runs a resort that caters to homosexual purchasers.
The sale comes simply 4 months after the property was listed, however Schukraft stated he was speaking with Cooley earlier than the enterprise went up on the market.
Cooley opened the Abbey as a espresso store in 1991 (although he himself had by no means tried espresso). He moved and grew the 1,100-square-foot hangout into the 14,000-square-foot behemoth restaurant and nightclub that it’s right this moment after the 2016 opening of the Chapel, a lounge enlargement subsequent door.
The Abbey was based on the idea of delight; in 2010, Cooley advised The Instances that when he was youthful, patrons needed to enter homosexual bars on Santa Monica Boulevard by the again door.
“Once I opened up The Abbey, I stated, ‘Open up the doorways and be happy with who you might be,’” he stated.
Schukraft hopes to protect and proceed the Abbey’s legacy because the “cornerstone” of the homosexual group in West Hollywood, he stated. Although he didn’t disclose the acquisition worth, Schukraft stated it was not low cost.
“I can inform you that I’m chopping again on the desserts after I exit to eat,” he stated.
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