AT the soon-to-open Royal/T showroom for contemporary Japanese art and design in Culver City, a cafe will be staffed by waitresses in uniforms inspired by manga cartoons. The next time British lighting phenomenon Tom Dixon visits Los Angeles, he will be feted at an artist reception inside a special store-within-a-store at Twentieth dedicated to his work. And at the new Limn on La Brea Avenue, shoppers won’t miss the “Private Atelier” sign and red velvet rope guarding access to VIP client rooms upstairs.
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Steve Soble tried persuading his father for 10 years to close the family’s Popkin Furniture store in downtown Richmond. Soble had an idea: turn the first floor of the building at 121 W. Broad St. into a neighborhood restaurant and bar and upper floors into apartments. “I had done the same thingto places in Chicago,” Soble said. His father finally agreed. Popkin Furniture closed in late 2004, after operating since 1968.
The upper floors were converted to 18 apartments. Residents moved in this year.
Now his showpiece — Popkin Tavern — opens this week. (more…)
