Avoid Disabled Access Lawsuits Predatory attorneys rely on small businesses’ neglect of disabled access requirements in customer areas leading to costly lawsuits. Websites, indoor/outdoor dining areas, point of transactions stations, restrooms,entrances, and parking are all areas to seek compliance. Do Your Own Professional Due DiligenceNever rely solely on brokers, landlords, escrow agents, or outgoing tenants for permitting information. They are not permitting professionals and may provide incomplete or misleading guidance—intentionally or not. Be Decisive and Commit EarlyQuestions around hours of operation, kitchen equipment, investors, and concepts should be resolved before plans are drawn. Changing your mind mid-project is one of the biggest causes of costly delays. Check the Infrastructure FirstMany older LA buildings lack adequate gas, electrical, or water capacity. … Continued

If you happened to miss it, FE’s own Hello Stranger (located at 320 E 2nd Street) was featured in the Los Angeles Times! Our dear friend Angela Romero pays homage to low rider car culture in Los Angeles in this hole-in-the wall restaurant and music venue AND non-profit. It was especially meaningful to Fast Eddie and so many members of our team to work on a project that helps foster and preserve LA’s amazing Latine culture. We worked hard to obtain a CUP, a Dance Hall permit, and the transfer of a Type 47 for Romero. Find out more about this soon to be LA institution by visiting their website here.

A big thank you to all of the attendees to our amazing Restaurant Beverage Program webinar, hosted on April 18th! Fast Eddie and Manny Diaz spoke at length, digging deep into the nit and grit of one of Los Angele’s most recent policy roll outs. We covered everything from eligibility to council districts so that our best local restaurateurs can get their over the counter alcohol approval ASAP. The City of LA’s RBP Program enables restaurants compliant with pre-written conditions to obtain their Beer and Wine or Alcohol licenses much faster (and much cheaper) than the current CUP process. Unfortunately, some Council Members have yet to vote on approving RBP in their district. It’s important to take action and let … Continued

We did it. When we come together and use our collective voice, we can achieve what it is that we need. The Planning & Land Use Management Committee of Los Angeles City Council approved the Emergency Ordinance (CF 20-0380-S1) with our urged amendments and even MORE. Big thanks to all who sent in letters of support and showed up to speak during Tuesday’s PLUM meeting call.  While this is a huge victory, the fight is not yet over. This Ordinance still needs to be heard and approved by the full City Council before it goes into effect. Before this can happen, the final ordinance needs to be drafted by City Attorney, Mike Feuer.  Join us in calling on the city … Continued

This would allow existing and new operators to remodel, expand and start anew in any existing building regardless of local zoning restrictions. This will further help decrease city staff time in deciphering complicated parking restrictions during the plan check process. The second part of this Ordinance will automatically renew your Conditional Use Permit (City Alcohol Permit or CUP) if expired during COVID-19, and therefore, postponing costly permit and professional legal fees until after the closures have been retracted. If you’ve ever been challenged by impossible parking requirements to open your businesses, then you know that this is big news. But we need the inclusion of patios so that this Ordinance addresses post-COVID dining culture needs. All Al Fresco permits will … Continued

2020 impacted all of us, but most commonly, it has introduced us to an opportunity for Change. As we are all beginning the new year, I reflect on who I am: I earned the name “Fast Eddie” at age 16, performing at Raji’s in Hollywood as a touring punk-rock drummer. Then in my early 20s, I was an undefeated-champion bike jouster on the streets of 7th and Santa Fe, while for work, I barbacked at the infamous Three Clubs. The LA artist community has always been close to my heart, inspired first by an LA underground rock-club institution called Jabberjaw. Constantly getting shut down by the Fire Marshall, I used my day job as a kitchen designer to research its … Continued