Royal Clayton's Plans to Reopen on Spring
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The Arts District's loss looks like it will be the Historic Core's gain. Owner Elizabeth Peterson closed the doors at Royal Clayton's English Pub in the Arts District on Saturday, but today she told blogdowntown that she expects to reopen within six to eight months. "Spring Street is looking really good," she said.
The pub was a pioneer in the southern Arts District, opening in the Toy District Lofts five years ago. The restaurant announced the news on its Facebook page.
While the neighborhood has had success stories, Peterson said that it is still a tough place to survive. "You have to be a destination place like Church and State to make the financials work," she said.
Asked if she expected her current staff to return, Peterson replied, "Are you kidding me?" She cited a great relationship with her "amazing staff" and noted their years of loyal service, adding that they closed the bar with a tremendous holiday party.
While Peterson would not get into specific Spring Street locations that she was looking into, there are several spaces along the street that are either navigating or have recently completed the entitlement process. Peterson, in her role as a consultant, herself guided the permitting for a pair of restaurant spaces in the National City Lofts at 8th and Spring.
In the restaurant's downtime, Royal Clayton's will be making appearances at events, including Greek Week L.A. Peterson said that co-owner and husband Tony Gower has also been talking about putting the restaurant on wheels with a fish and chips food truck.
Amanda Leon (@LoveableLion) on December 21, 2010, at 11:48AM – #1
YES! I love Royal Clayton's and am looking forward to having them close by! Fun fact: despite being a British style pub they have the best chips and guacamole I've ever had.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 11:55AM – #2
hmmm i wonder who will be the new tenant or how long the space will be vacant? -vacuna
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 12:09PM – #3
I am truly upset about this, the business had its locals coming in and their friends. It was a destination spot for the Arts District and Little Tokyo. This is terribly sad news... It feels as if your girlfriend left you for a famous person, even though you were perfectly happy together. I can't say that I hope they do well in their new location. They deserted their people.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 12:21PM – #4
@ Guest 2: You do realize that the arts district is a 10 minute walk to spring, right? It's not like they're moving to Hollywood. . .
Ginny Brideau (@ginnycase) on December 21, 2010, at 12:31PM – #5
@ guest 3: Alameda is a pretty tough street to cross. I can understand why they are upset. It might be a 10 minute walk, but that pedestrian experience leaves a lot to be desired. :-( For now anyways...
Chris Loos on December 21, 2010, at 12:46PM – #6
Sad for the Arts District, but happy for those of us on Spring!
Downtowncommuter on December 21, 2010, at 01:02PM – #7
Hate to rain on everyone's parade -- especially since we're getting enough rain to last all winter -- but I wouldn't hold my breath for the reopening of RC on Spring Street in 6 months.
If there's anything we've learned about restaurants in DTLA, it's that everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much to develop as planned.
Eric Wang on December 21, 2010, at 01:06PM – #8
Best of luck on the move! Hope the Toy Factory gets a new tenant in the spot soon, too. Industrial is a great street, but not everyone can be C&S. Hope Swill is doing great too.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 01:29PM – #9
Spring Street is more like 25 minutes' walk from Industrial/Mateo. 30-35 if you catch a few red lights.
Right now the livable areas of DTLA are in a "horseshoe" shape from South Park up through Bunker Hill, east to the Historic Core/Little Tokyo, then southeast again into the Arts District/Industrial Street area. Perhaps this will help open a conversation on how to connect these parts together a little better, especially the Historic Core to the other areas.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 01:42PM – #10
Yeah man, the "sidewalks" along Alameda and Central range from precarious to non-existent.
crystal on December 21, 2010, at 01:47PM – #11
Interested to see where they open.
Was always an easy go to place for a drink with my friends over there, but with all the businesses in that area parking has become horrible.
and as far as walking from old location to the historic core. 7th street is a rough walk through skid row. no thanks.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 02:01PM – #12
Nice to hear that Spring Street is starting to return to a prominent Downtown street this time a destination for entertainment, it has a nice ring to it esp for pubs & bars.
LAofAnaheim on December 21, 2010, at 02:25PM – #13
I really want to see somebody test the "10 minute walk" theory between Arts District (Toy Factory Lofts) and their future spring street home. I walked from 6th/Wall to 3rd/Alameda once and that was 15 minutes. Keep in mind that 6th/Wall is somewhat of a halfway point between Spring street and Arts District.
David Markland on December 21, 2010, at 02:39PM – #14
Having made that walk numerous times, 10 minutes seems possible for a speed walker hitting zero stop lights. Its more like 20-25. Google maps marks it at 28 minutes for the 1.5 mile walk. A busride should take 10-15 minutes.
Jamie DeFrisco on December 21, 2010, at 03:14PM – #15
I agree that the walk isn't that quick. On top of that you could be traversing through bad parts of town. While I generally don't have problems traveling alone at night I prefer to avoid the area between that part of the arts district and the old bank district (specifically when I'm walking alone at night).
It would have been nice if Royal Clayton's had let people know sooner, so that they could enjoy it one last time before they closed. Hopefully they find a new spot and are able to move in quickly.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 03:40PM – #16
To Guest #2:
Your perception seems to be that Royal Clayton's wanted to leave for greener pastures. I suppose that is the positive spin they are putting on it. We don't know the rent they had to pay, maybe it was unsustainable given the location.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 04:06PM – #17
@ Guest 7, do you really believe that the rent in the Arts District is higher than it's going to be on Spring St.? That is extremely hard to believe considering the price/square-foot in the Arts District, compared to Spring St.
Hopefully it's a fine business move for them, but it hurts (having frequented there once a week) that they would just pick up and move away from the people that gave them life in the first place.
I don't know the owners, but I believe (as a small business owner) that it is never more important to keep your loyal clientele (especially in this economy).
Green Acres is the place for Clayton's I suppose. Clayton's was/is a watering hole for locals, and the competition on Spring St. is going to be a tough one to overcome.
@ Jamie DeFrisco - I agree, I was there last week and had no idea whatsoever that they were going to pick up and leave. What kind of bull**** is that?
Anthony Costantino on December 21, 2010, at 04:45PM – #18
Arts District loss, a gain for us Historic Core folks. I would gladly go out of my way to go Claytons, their food is great for a pub, feel bad for the locals there.
It's definitely not a nice walk. Plenty of times on a bike I've played dodge-a-Zombie going through skid row. I guess they want increased business, and Spring is really blowing up. My condolences.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 04:57PM – #19
OOHHH Do I sense a little neighborhood rivalry coming from residents of both Arts District & Historic Downtown! I love it, it builds more hood identity and pride so we can start getting these hoods on bigger recognition outside of Downtown, LA, and even California maybe.
Qathryn Brehm on December 21, 2010, at 05:22PM – #20
As an Arts District resident that will miss Royal Clayton's for sure. It was a great late night spot to meet friends. We still have e3rd, Metropol and Wurstkuche and oh yes Villian's, Tony's, Swill and more a coming. Also love Historic Core and looking forward to another great spot on Spring.
Pamela Rouse (@) on December 21, 2010, at 05:54PM – #21
It's definitely a good 20+ min walk (I cut through Little Tokyo via 2nd which is better lit) but was well worth it.. I'm going to feel spoiled getting to walk only a few blocks there once they open on Spring. Their mac n cheese is a favorite and the distance made it a special treat.
I've never been to C&S yet as Royal Clayton's is more my speed.. and a comfortable place to linger over a cider. I hope something just as good moves into the space as it's always sad to see empty spaces (even if the former tenant is moving closer to the OBD).
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 05:55PM – #22
How is Urth Cafe making it down there? I didn't have high expectations for them to survive.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 07:10PM – #23
@ Guest 2 -
While true that the rent on 6th will likely be significantly higher - so too will be the likely revenue. It seems that most of the bars on 6th are full almost every night and packed on the weekends. Honestly, I love Royal Claytons, but that place was dead as dead gets most of the times I went there and it wasn't because it wasn't a cool place. It was just off the beaten path. When it comes to drinking and downtown, I think people are more likely to stay west, where they have multiple options within walking distance, rather than go east for Royal Claytons alone (and having to drive to most other spots).
Unfortunately, bars have a tough time making it, and inconveniencing some regulars is sometimes the price you have to pay in order to stay in the black.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 08:38PM – #24
I just wanted to comment that I enjoy people talking about walking through Skid Row. Yes, it's heavy and kinda sketch but it IS safe enough for a streetwise adult to get through unscathed. The police presence has made it actually walkable if you dare. Also, people SHOULD walk through at least once to get a feel for a huge part of DT and it's homeless citizens. To live DT and not at least be aware of the problem seems ignorant.
Jamie DeFrisco on December 21, 2010, at 10:40PM – #25
Guest 10 - I used to live in that area. While I feel safe traveling through that area alone during the day I do like to take precautions at night. I am a youngish female and sometimes I'm dressed up when I would be traveling through that area. If someone wants to get a feel for the homeless situation they could walk around during the day.
Guest on December 21, 2010, at 11:22PM – #26
I have something new for this discussion. I am a huge fan of sticky toffee pudding, and so far I have been disappointed by the sticky toffee pudding offered by both Royal Clayton's and the Gorbals. My hope is that RC's move to Spring Street will compel both restaurants to improve their sticky toffee pudding recipes.
May the best restaurant win!!!
Anthony Costantino on December 22, 2010, at 08:36AM – #27
Their fish n chips, salsa and hummus were awesome, especially for a pub. Kudos to the chefs.
Karin Liljegren on December 22, 2010, at 11:18AM – #28
I'm sad for Arts District, but i'm secretly so happy - my office is on Spring!!
Commander Blake Chow1 on December 22, 2010, at 11:45AM – #29
Can't wait for it to reopen. Royal Claytons was great.
Guest on December 22, 2010, at 08:15PM – #30
I wish that I new about the closure ahead of time so I could have paid a farewell visit.
Accessory Loft on December 22, 2010, at 11:26PM – #31
What's going on under SB Tower? It looks like they're putting in a restaurant. That would be a great space for Royal Clayton's. I'd also like to see them over at 433 S. Spring (where Ed Hardy outlet used to be). Spring between 4th and 5th is pretty dead at night and needs its own destination for us night owls.
TBerry on December 23, 2010, at 01:22AM – #32
I believe the space under SB Tower is going to be some new inventive take on a coffee shop/cafe called "CoffeeBar" from the people behind Library Bar and Spring St. Not 100% on that though.
Honestly... if RC was going to move into the core, I'd have preferred to see them be slightly less "bandwagon-y" and go somewhere on Broadway. Everything seems to be going in on Spring... which is great, but Broadway is still (largely) this sort of bizarre time warp of DT from like a decade ago. But I'm betting the safe bet for walk-in traffic on Spring and the condition of most buildings on Broadway would make that less than feasible.
jim winstead (@jimw) on December 23, 2010, at 11:51AM – #33
the prospect of serious construction on broadway (streetscape improvements and the street car) would probably give pause to anyone who wanted to open there soon. it will happen, just not that quickly.
the old ed hardy outlet location would be interesting, but the near-constant presence of filming trucks on that street makes the retail spots there quite a bit less appealing.
Guest on December 23, 2010, at 04:17PM – #34
The old Ed Hardy space would make for a nice restaurant/cafe/pub. I believe the park that will replace the parking lot next to the Rowan will break ground in August. It would be great to have a place with a view of a nice green space. I am sure they are marketing it that way. It could have an amazing outdoor patio.
Guest on December 26, 2010, at 02:17PM – #35
There are a couple spaces that RC could land that would do the area a favor by helping bridge the gap between the Historic Core and the Fashion District. The nw corner of 7th and Spring that sits vacant can be dramatically transformed and can team up with the Hass building's Silo Vodka Bar coming in March across the street. The other bridging option would be to take over as an anchor tenant in the Huntington Hotel to help rejuvenate the once drug stricken building.
Guest on December 26, 2010, at 08:39PM – #36
None of these restaurants need your urban planning folks. They need your patronage!!! It would appear that people liked RC for a quick drink or two, including sipping on a cider. If that's true, hopefully they'll create a more manageable project rather than depending on the artsy and hipster crowds who want all the amenities but don't financially support their local businesses. Another entrepreneur who invested in the community goes down and you can't see why they're closing. Sad.
Andy Wong on December 27, 2010, at 11:08AM – #37
I'm not too sad even though I'm eager for a good business to fill the spot. Liked RC enough but wasn't always a fan. Spring St is getting competitive. I do appreciate that it opened when it did to help the neighborhood.
DawnC on December 28, 2010, at 07:17AM – #38
Guest #22- Urth Cafe is doing great and is almost always packed. It used to be easy to find a parking spot in that area but now because they are so busy and so many of The Barker Block lofts have sold, they had to add valet parking. I call in my take-out orders before I walk over there so I don't have to wait in line.
Alfred on December 28, 2010, at 12:30PM – #39
Hello there. 433 S. Spring will be the perfect place. Being the property manager at 433 S. Spring. We would love to have Royal Clayton be our tenant. If Royal Clayton is reading this. Please contact me anytime. I would love to show you around and work a deal that will benefit you.
Alfred 213-625-1100
Guest on December 31, 2010, at 12:15AM – #40
This is a perfect example of a pedestrian-dominated neighborhood being more desirable than a 'destination' (car-dominated) one. I'm sure the Missing Persons are turning in their grave for postulating that "nobody walks in LA".
Guest on January 02, 2011, at 11:36PM – #41
Royal Clayton's for sale on Craigslist...
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/off/2134785435.html
Guest on January 03, 2011, at 10:28AM – #42
"the sale of this business is strictly confidential"...well, it was!
Downtowncommuter on December 21, 2011, at 09:33PM – #43
Well, a year has passed...and no sign of Royal Clayton's return.
:(