The Abbey and the Chapel, longtime landmarks of West Hollywood’s gay nightlife scene, have been sold to a brand new proprietor, the enterprise introduced Wednesday.
Patrons of the historic spots have been assured the present administration staff 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 more than just a bar. It’s been a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community through tough and good times 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.
“This is both an honor and a significant responsibility,” Schukraft stated. “I plan to respect and honor the Abbey’s history while bringing new ideas that reflect our evolving LGBTQ+ community and my personal approach to hospitality.”
Schukraft stated he has been going to the Abbey for years. It was the primary gay bar he went to in Los Angeles.
The new proprietor lives in Puerto Rico, the place he runs a lodge that caters to gay shoppers.
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 is at the moment after the 2016 opening of the Chapel, a lounge growth subsequent door.
The Abbey was based on the idea of satisfaction; in 2010, Cooley informed The Times that when he was youthful, patrons needed to enter gay bars on Santa Monica Boulevard by the again door.
“When I opened up The Abbey, I said, ‘Open up the doors and be proud of who you are,’” he stated.
Schukraft hopes to protect and proceed the Abbey’s legacy because the “cornerstone” of the gay neighborhood in West Hollywood, he stated. Though he didn’t disclose the acquisition value, Schukraft stated it was not low-cost.
“I can tell you that I am cutting back on the desserts when I go out to eat,” he stated.
