A brand new sports-themed restaurant called The Pawn Shop is getting ready to debut after being approved to open in Hollywood at 5901 Melrose Ave.
The LA City Planning Department has issued a letter of approval for the restaurant to replace the former home of Brothers Collateral Pawn Shop, which closed in 2019, according to Larchmont Buzz. Diego Torres-Palma, Founder/CEO of Ventana Ventures, who is developing the restaurant and bar project, received an extensive list of conditions for approving the Conditional Use Permit for the 7,808-square-foot restaurant. The restaurant will have great food by a James Beard award-winning chef.
“Thank you to everyone in the community who took the time to provide their input and engagement during our approval process,” Torres-Palma told the Buzz. “This milestone marks an exciting step forward for us, and we are eager to embark on the construction phase of our project. As we move forward with construction, we look forward to creating a space that will respect the history and architecture of the building, create jobs, and foster community connection. Thank you to all for being such a vital part of this journey; we’re building something special together!”
The project’s approval process faced delays because the city was backlogged. The Planning Department has recently approved the restaurant to operate from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from 9 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday. The Pawn Shop will have 260 seats, with 190 on the ground floor and 70 in seven dining rooms upstairs. No outdoor seating is permitted.
The restaurant must follow strict guidelines from the Planning Department regarding parking and operating hours. It is required to offer valet parking and submit a parking plan. Torres-Palma requested to open at 6 a.m. for up to 24 sporting events each year, which was approved, but each event requires permission from the LAPD’s Hollywood Division. The Pawn Shop can host live entertainment until 10 p.m. up to 12 times a year, and on-site security is mandatory.
“Everybody wanted to make sure the neighborhood would be protected in terms of the hours of operation and parking, and that happened,” Hancock Park Homeowners Association president Cindy Chvatal-Keane tells the Beverly Press. “[What was approved] is good for the neighbors, for the residents, and the people who live there. This is very reasonable.”
