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EAGLE ROCK, LOS ANGELES () — The owners of a popular Eagle Rock wine bar say they have spent countless hours and tens of thousands of dollars navigating permitting hurdles that could impact how many customers their business can seat.
Western Station Beer and Wine, located on Colorado Boulevard, has earned a 4.9-star rating online, with reviewers repeatedly describing the business as a “gem” and a “treasure.”
Patron Rose Forbes described the wine bar as a welcoming neighborhood gathering place.
“Good community, good people, good wine,” Forbes said with a laugh.
Owners Ashley Berry and Brian Girgus purchased Western Station about 2 1/2 years ago from a previous owner, who had operated the business for more than a decade. At the time of the purchase, the wine bar had a seating capacity of about 27.
“When we bought the business, you know, that’s what we anticipated we were getting,” Berry said. “Last year, the city came around, and they said… you should only have eight seats here.”
The owners were then required to seek a new conditional use-beverage approval.
A Los Angeles City Planning spokesperson told Eyewitness News that the approval is needed to allow property owners to use land in a way that is not automatically permitted under its current zoning.
“Permits for alcohol use always require the careful consideration of permitting a business to operate, as well as considering the potential community impact of noise, etc.,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Berry said the previous owner’s history complicated the application.
“The city planner had some issues with our case because the previous owners were out of compliance for so long,” Barry said. “We’re just here trying to be compliant and pay our necessary dues and operate our little community spot”
Western Station’s owners said they have attended several neighborhood council meetings, participated in a public hearing at the end of last month and paid $25,000 while seeking a resolution.
“You spend the money, and you’re not really sure what you’re going to get for it. Because if they deny the thing, I’m not sure what the recourse is,” Girgus said. “It’s just a big question mark, the whole process is.”
Their case closes on Oct. 18. The owners and patrons are hoping for a determination that allows the business to continue operating with its previous seating capacity.
“I would hate to lose a place where we spend so much of our time, and meet so many fun people and have so many fun conversations,” Forbes said.
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s office said it is monitoring the application and working with the Department of City Planning.
“As local institutions continue to face unprecedented challenges and economic uncertainty, we sympathize with small businesses that feel unsupported by these required paths to compliance. Our office is tracking this application, and we are working closely with the Department of City Planning to ensure a fair and equitable process.”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story cited information from the L.A. City Planning Commission, but the information was from an L.A. City Planning spokesperson.
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