Dear friends,
I am selling my wine bar. I do not yet know when the transaction will finalize: it may be as soon as the end of the month or perhaps a few weeks later than that. I will send another message once I have a firm date, as we will celebrate with one or more going away bacchanalias. Moreover, I will need your help with drinking the delicious wines that stock our shelves (nearly 20 cases of wonderful stuff from Selection Massale await your delectation!).
Eight years ago, I knew that I loved wine and wanted to try to make it my life. I had the idea that I might deepen my relationship with wine by opening a wine bar, and reckoned that falling for wine was sufficient motivation. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not anticipate that it is also delicious to have customers who become regulars and later, friends. I also did not foresee the pleasure of turning someone on to an unexpected wine, and the delight of looking out at the floor on a busy night and witnessing people having a jolly time at my restaurant. I know I will miss my wine bar, but enough with the elegies!
The decision to sell a business, one in which you have invested sweat equity, energy, and passion, is not an easy one. After six years in business I might have discovered that I do not really care for wine all that much, but the truth is that I continue fall ever deeper for it, and have come to the point where my infatuation is compelling me to move to the next level in my business. Please stay tuned for news of Lou 2.0.
Lou -
When I heard the news, my heart sank – but I eagerly await news of what your future endeavors will hold. My only regret was not going to your bar more often. I’ll always remember the laughs/puns/wines/friends/conversations at LOU. Thanks again, for everything.
- Jesse
I am devastated.
say it aint so, Lou!
but two requests:
more info on your next step
more info on Lou on Vine’s future
All hail Lou! You know we will follow you wherever you go. xo
Lou,
We will miss you and your great staff, but we know you will have something exciting planned for yourself in the future. We will try and come in a couple of times before you close and will definitely follow Lou 2.0 in the future.
Robert and Elena
see you tonite at 6 with herself.
OK who gets to keep the wallpaper?
;-(
When I read your farewell email, I yelled “NOOOOOO” out loud. Am tantalized by the cryptic references to “the next level” and Lou 2.0. Are you waiting until the Mayan calendar runs out to share specifics?
mister amdur, i tell people this all the time: everything i know about wine i learned from lou. i’ve always made it a point to visit lou on vine every time i’m in town, and every time i’ve come out slightly more knowledgeable, full of good food, excellent wine, wonderful company. thank you so much for everything, and good luck with lou 2.0, whatever that may be.
Lou,
You made something very special that we all loved. Know how eager all your fans are to support your next step. I couldn’t wish more for a nicer, warmer person who shared his passions with strangers, and in doing so, made them his friends.
I’ll see you this week.
Michael
This initially makes me very sad, but I do hope to hear about the 2.0 version soon and lift my spirits. I’ll gather the girls to see if we can squeeze in before the doors close. I will sorely miss LOU and it’s creative delicious ways.
Please add me to the announcements list
[...] Read Lou’s Farewell message here. [...]
LOU!
Really? My local is going away? What? I have been away for quite a bit and always was happy to see the lil bar that could waiting in the corner strip mall. Somehow reassuring that the hidden gem was there. Ya, it has been a while, but hey, my hope is you have decided to become a vintner somewhere in the south of France and we all get to come to lou 2.0 en Francais!
will get up to see y’all soon!
onward,
gb
There is not an OMG loud enough. Ethan will be devastaed- how do I explain this to a sentimental 12 year old who adores Lou (the person)? I am already mourning the poussin. My wine world will shrink to the mundane. What about pickling lessons? WHAT’S NEXT???? I’m going to need therapy for this. We’ll be in tonight… for the therapy. xo Linda and Rod
OH NO! i live down the street, but don’t drink so i haven’t made a visit but now i think i should come and sample some pig candy before you go!
Thanks, everyone, for the very kind words. They mean a lot to me. It’s also nice to see someone who is even more pedantic than I am comment on the (also very kind) LAist post about my closing. When I say elegaic, I mean it! http://laist.com/2012/03/13/no_more_pig_candy_lou_wine_bar_clos.php
Just heard the news. I’m disappointed we didn’t indulge enough.
We will follow you any where. Please let us know where you land.
Cheers!
Vince and Kathy
No! This is my favorite place within five miles of my house – and that includes Mozza and Campanile and…Please don’t go far! Thank you for being the perfect spot. Where you lead, I will follow!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I might have to do a blog post about my journeys to Lou on Vine.
But then again, I might not, because I am a slacker.
You will be missed, even if I am not in LA any longer. I attribute my weird wine tastes to you. In fact, I educated someone about Georgian wine recently. I wished that you were there to do it instead.
Thank you for having a place where anyone could come and hang out.
You rock.
[...] Hit up LOU before it’s gone. [...]
Boo Hoo. Hooray 4 Lou 2.0 . Don’t go too far, amigo.
Lou, you were great but your prices were just too high. While most places around town are charging $25-$40 for a 3 course prefix, your prefix was upwards of $60. In this economy, it’s just too much. A low prefix allows new patrons to try your food and later become regulars.
I am sorry you found our prix fixe menu too expensive. Would you please let me know the names of other restaurants in Los Angeles that offer a three to four course menu with wine pairings included with each course for $55 (not “upwards of $60,” as you put it)? Get back to me on that one.
Lou,
I was so sorry to hear that you are selling your place.
Hope you are well and happy with whatever new endeavors come your way and hope to see you soon one of these days and that we can still share a glass, or two!
Fondly,
Victoria Nevinny