Republic of Pie

For years now, North Hollywood has been trying to shed their less than great image by becoming a mecca for the arts. The area nearest the metro station is referred to as the NoHo Arts district, and they have worked hard to clean up this part of the San Fernando Valley. They’ve built a lot of hip lofts, opened theatres and coffee shops, and promoted it as a great place for creative types to gather. As an observer, it has appeared to be a project that has taken one step forward and two steps back, time and time again.

Take the lofts for example; they built them just as the market crashed, so very few people could afford them. They opened a grocery store that ultimately failed because so few people had moved into the lofts. They have since replaced it with a 24hr Fitness. That, along with with the opening of an Art Academy,  seems to be working better. Here’s what may be just the thing to finally tip the scale of cool: Republic of Pie!

An awesomely designed space, nearly everything in the restaurant is reclaimed or second-hand — the bar’s counters come from an old northern California dairy farm that closed, and the lights over register are made from glass telephone pole insulators. Most of the equipment was purchased used, as were the tables and chairs. Everything about the place screams creativity. Not only that, but instead of just being another coffee shop, they have pie! Who doesn’t like pie? The restaurant will also serve as a venue for local artists and musicians to showcase their work.

Their grand opening was on Valentine’s Day and featured music by the Sweet Potatoes, who were, as always, great. Hopefully they will be playing there often. You can buy their CD here; cd or download at  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/SweetPotatoes

download at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/id385123549?i=385123585&ign-mpt=uo=4

  You might also want to check out the movie that my friend Rick Hall made which just happens to be called “A Slice of Pie”. He also has a CD by the same name which you can get here; http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rickhall

If you live in L.A., or plan on visiting anytime in the future, you should definitely plan on stopping in at Republic of Pie. 11118 MAGNOLIA BLVD, North Hollywood, CA 91601