City of La Legacy Business Program

Meet Geum Soon Kim, owner of Gam Ja Gol

Geum Soon Kim decided to open her own restaurant after noticing no restaurant in the area was selling gamjatang. In 1994, she opened Gam Ja Gol. Each bowl of gamjatang is a celebration of comfort and authenticity, crafted from time-honored recipes and the finest ingredients.

Gam Ja Gol has since become a staple in Koreatown and is loved by the community. They proudly serve the best gamjatang in town. Besides, gamjatang, they also have other traditional Korean dish such as bossam, kimchi jigae, and bibimbap.

Gamjatang (감자탕), or Spicy Pork Neck Stew, is a hearty stew originating from the Jeolla province in South Korea known for its comforting qualities. It features pork neck bones, potatoes, vegetables, and spices. Gam Ja Gol honors gamjatang's rich history and robust flavors by bringing this cherished traditional dish to their community.

Visit Gam Ja Gol
3003 W Olympic Blvd, Ste 107, Los Angeles, CA, 90006
https://gamjagolla.com/

Meet Ryan & Jessica Legaux, owners of Harold & Belle's

In 1969, Harold & Mary Belle Legaux opened a simple bar beloved for its Creole dishes like filé gumbo and jambalaya. After Harold Sr.'s passing, their son, Harold Jr., and his wife, Denise, took over and transformed it into a fine-dining establishment while preserving the family recipes.

In 2013, the third generation, Ryan & Jessica Legaux, purchased the restaurant. They remodeled the restaurant in 2016, adding a banquet facility, private dining room, an expanded bar, and a menu including plant-based dishes. They also purchased a food truck, allowing them to provide catering & concessions services.

Harold & Belle's was among the first to offer genuine Creole cuisine and remains one of the last in Los Angeles to do so. They host an annual Mardi Gras celebration and a community crawfish boil, bringing locals together to celebrate in true New Orleans style. These events are a way for Harold & Belle's to share and preserve the rich cultural heritage of cuisine and traditions.

Visit Harold & Belle’s
2920 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90018
haroldandbelles.com

Legacy Businesses don't just stand the test of time, they star in it! These aren't just backdrops; they're the iconic diners, historic hotels, and vintage storefronts that give every movie and TV show that unmistakable Los Angeles flair. Get ready for a cinematic tour as we pull back the curtain on the Legacy Businesses that deserve an Oscar for Best Supporting Location!

Valley Martial Arts Supply
5638 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA, 91601, USA
Since 1976, Valley Martial Arts Supply has been a trusted provider of martial arts equipment. With the help of the owner's mother, the costume designer for Karate Kid picked the iconic headband from a box of assorted designs, and the rest is history.

Velaslavasay Panorama
1122 W 24th St, Los Angeles, CA, 90007, USA
Since 2000, the Velaslavasay Panorama has served as an exhibition hall, theater, and garden devoted to presenting unusual visual experiences. Its exterior appears in Ratched (Season 1, Episode 6), a series created by Evan Romansky

Eastside Market Italian Deli
1013 Alpine St, Los Angeles, CA, 90012, USA
Situated in L.A.'s original Little Italy, the Eastside Market Italian Deli has been serving Los Angelinos classic Italian dishes since 1929. On Diners, Drive-in, and Dives Season 17 Episode 10, Guy Fieri visited Eastside Italian Deli with the stars of the film Grown Ups 2 to make meatballs for their famous D.A. Special sandwich.

Cupid's Hot Dogs
20030 Vanowen St, Winnetka, CA, 91306, USA
Cupid's is a hot dog stand originally established in 1946 and home of the Valley's signature chili dog. You can spot the iconic Cupid’s sign in the Terminator movie.

Hungry Fox
13359 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, CA 91605
Hungry Fox has been a beloved local diner serving classic American breakfasts and lunches since 1940. In The Office Season 3, Episode 19 - The Negotiation, Pam meets Roy at Hungry Fox for a final goodbye.

Meet Luis Acosta, owner of La Victoria Night Club & Restaurant

Luis Acosta acquired La Victoria Coco Bongo Nightclub bringing extensive experience from Los Angeles’s top Latin nightclubs. He turned it into a cultural landmark where Latin heritage and LGBTQ pride intersect in a vibrant, inclusive space.

Located in the heart of Reseda, La Victoria has grown into a full-service dining and entertainment destination, offering authentic Latin cuisine, a full bar, and live music. It transforms into a lively hub of dancing and live performances each weekend, preserving cherished traditions for multiple generations.

La Victoria has become a cultural landmark in the San Fernando Valley, renowned for celebrating Latin heritage and supporting the LGBTQ community. On Thursdays, the venue hosts Coco Bongo drag shows featuring local LGBTQ artists, DJs, and performers from Mexico, showcasing the richness and diversity of Latin culture while fostering inclusivity and pride.

Visit La Victoria Coco Bongo Nightclub
19655 Sherman Way, Reseda, CA, 91335

Meet Oscar de la Cruz, owner of Luxe de Ville

Oscar de la Cruz’s journey began after earning an associate's degree in fashion from Los Angeles Trade-Technical College. Before opening Luxe de Ville, he started by designing and selling clothes in local shops and flea markets.

In 1997, he opened Luxe de Ville which quickly became a prominent part of the Los Angeles fashion, art, and film industries. The store carries many items, including dresses, button-up shirts, eclectic jewelry, handbags, and much more, many of which are handmade and one-of-a-kind.

Luxe de Ville has been driven by a passion for fashion and a deep commitment to the community. They feature an ever-changing collection of goods from local, up-and-coming designers. The store also hosts art and music events and contributes to local street festivals.

Visit Luxe de Ville
2157 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90026

Meet Clinton Schudy, owner of Oakley's barber shop

Oakley’s Barbershop is an old-school barber shop offers a range of services at affordable prices in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. The original Oakley’s was opened in Springville, Utah, in 1898 by Bert Oakley, who moved the shop to Westwood in the 1920s.

Clinton Schudy began working part-time at Oakley’s in 1990, went full-time in 2000, and became the owner in 2008 after the passing of Larry Oakley. Clinton and his staff are dedicated to continuing Oakley’s legacy and serve their community.

Oakley’s offers everything from hair styling to chemical processes for men and women. It is known for its vibrant and friendly atmosphere, mostly due to the barbers and staff. The majority of the barbers have worked at Oakleys for more than 15 to 30 years. Experience a piece of history and book an appointment at Oakley’s today!

Visit Oakleys Barbershop
1061 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90024
oakleysbarbershop.com

Discover the vibrant flavors of historic Los Angeles with the Ultimate Taco Passport! Indulge in everything from classic Mexican tacos to creative fusion delights, all while supporting iconic legacy businesses that have been serving the community for generations. Bon appétit!

Sky’s Gourmet Tacos
5303 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90019
skysgourmettacos.com

Joselito's Mexican Food Tujunga
7308 Foothill Blvd, Tujunga, CA, 91042, USA
joselitos.com

Los Toros Mexican Restaurant
21743 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA, 91311
lostoros.com

Lenchita's Tortilleria
13612 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima, CA, 91331
lenchitas.weeblyte.com

Follow Your Heart Market & Cafe
21825 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303
theheartmarketcafe.com

Meet Darren Melamed, Owner of Pizza World

Originally opened in 1978 under the name Kosher Nostra, it was the first kosher pizza shop in Los Angeles. Darren Melamed began as an employee and took over the business in 1991, rebranding it as Pizza World. In recent years, his daughter has joined the team with plans to eventually take over the family business.

Pizza World offers a diverse menu that includes pizza, dairy-free Mexican dishes, Italian specialties, sandwiches, and soups. Open for both lunch and dinner most days of the week, the restaurant provides table service, takeout, and delivery, making it a convenient and family-friendly dining option.

Pizza World primarily serves the surrounding Jewish community and upholds the highest standards of kosher observance in all aspects of food preparation and service. Every item on the menu is Chalav Yisroel and Pas Yisroel, and the kitchen is maintained in strict accordance with halachic requirements. The restaurant also proudly accommodates dietary restrictions including dairy- and gluten-free options.

Visit Pizza World
365 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90036
kosherpizzaworld.com

Meet David and Stacey Cooperman, Owner of SHALOM HOUSE FINE JUDAICA

Larry and Bernice Cooperman felt there was a need for a Judaica store in the west San Fernando Valley, so they opened Shalom House Fine Judaica in 1971.They sold items for Jewish life cycle such as bris, baby naming, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, funerals, Shabbat and Jewish Holidays.

Their son, David Cooperman, and his brother worked in the store growing up and eventually David and his wife Stacey took over the store in 1992. Today they still run the family business along with the help of their 5 daughters, carrying on the tradition that Bernice and Larry put into place.

Shalom House Fine Judaica is well known for offering an extensive range of Judaica products from Israel and Around the World to the Los Angeles community. They focus on hand-crafted items rather than mass-produced ones. These unique, high-quality items often become family heirlooms, treasured for generations.

Visit Shalom House Fine Judaica
19740 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA, 91364
www.shalomhouse.com

Join us for a webinar series designed to help Legacy Businesses thrive with resources and strategies based on the newly launched Legacy Business Toolkit.

Subject Experts Ramya Sinha from Bet Tzedek, Megan Gordon from Project Equity, and Jante' Pruitt from LA CoopLab will walk through the essential legal tools and strategies needed to ensure your business can grow, transition, or evolve with dignity.

Key Discussion Topics:
- Succession Strategies: Learn the difference between passing a business down, selling it, or switching to a cooperative model.
- Essential Legal Tools: A breakdown of Powers of Attorney, Revocable Trusts, and Succession Clauses in governing documents.
- Asset Management: How to handle commercial real estate, equipment, and sensitive business contracts during a transition.

Visit bit.ly/lalegacytoolkit to register