Iconic Culver City Restaurant Akasha to Close After Nearly 20 Years Amid Rising Costs and Industry Challenges

Beloved Culver City Restaurant Akasha to Close After Nearly Two Decades

Culver City, CA — Akasha, a cherished fixture in the Culver City community for nearly 20 years, will serve its last meal this Sunday, marking the end of an era for local diners. The all-day bakery, café, and restaurant, known for its globally-inspired dishes, announced its permanent closure in an emotional Instagram post on September 30.

Founded in 2008 by Akasha Richmond and Alan Schulman, Akasha quickly became a neighborhood favorite, attracting patrons with its diverse menu and welcoming atmosphere. However, the restaurant has succumbed to a combination of rising operational costs, the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a significant exodus of residents from Los Angeles.

In their heartfelt farewell, Richmond and Schulman cited the challenges posed by the actors’ strike and the film industry’s migration to more affordable locations as critical factors in their decision. “Like so many beloved independent restaurants, the challenges of recent years have become too great to overcome,” they wrote.

The closure comes amid troubling trends in Los Angeles, where a recent PODS Moving Trends Report revealed that the city has seen the highest number of residents moving out for the second consecutive year. Factors such as high living costs, low housing affordability, and increased risks from natural disasters have contributed to this trend, leaving local businesses struggling to adapt.

Akasha’s menu, which featured dishes like tandoori chicken wings and Bali tofu curry, was a reflection of Richmond’s culinary travels and experiences. The restaurant was particularly popular during the High Holy Days, offering special take-out and dine-in dinners for the Jewish community, and it played a vital role in providing meals during Passover celebrations, especially during the pandemic.

The news of Akasha’s closure has left many patrons heartbroken. Comments on the restaurant’s Instagram post express a deep sense of loss, with one user lamenting, “We are losing so many special places that make up the heart of our city.” Another wrote, “Akasha is my favorite restaurant and will be deeply missed.”

Despite the closure of its brick-and-mortar location, Akasha plans to continue its catering business and participate in special events, ensuring that its culinary legacy lives on in some form.

Akasha’s closure is part of a broader trend affecting restaurants across Los Angeles. Earlier this year, Cole’s French Dip, known for inventing the French dip sandwich, closed due to rising crime and economic pressures. Similarly, Ceviche Stop, a celebrated eatery in Culver City, shut down after facing significant financial losses from violent crime.

As Richmond and Schulman prepare to close the doors of their beloved establishment, they expressed gratitude to their loyal customers, staff, and community partners. “We are profoundly grateful to our loyal guests, restaurant partners, farmers and vendors, our staff past and present, and the many friends who have become family along the way,” they concluded in their farewell message.

As the Culver City community bids farewell to Akasha, it reflects on the challenges facing independent restaurants in a rapidly changing urban landscape, hoping for a future where more beloved establishments can thrive.