Lokel Love
Words by Patrick Manalo | Photography by Ryan Klowsowski & Patrick Manalo
In these difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it only felt right for us to do something to help local food businesses, as they are a vital part of our communities. These are people that have made spaces for us to celebrate birthdays and special occasions, have date nights with our significant others, or just simply hang out and be in the company of loved ones. They help build community.
As they’ve taken care of us, it’s in our hearts to show them love. We called up some of our friends from local food businesses to find a way to support. Many of these businesses are pop-ups that rely on large public gatherings, like Smorgasburg LA and 626 Night Markets, and localized gatherings, like farmers markets and neighborhood street-vending. They are suddenly without a place to operate in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a solution, we offered our Lokel Eats take-out window and parking lot to facilitate curbside pick-up services in a safe space for several local pop-ups. In partnership, “Lokel Love” was created.
Lokel Love was made to show love to you, our beloved community. It was not only a safe space for us to gather essentials, but it was also a space for our partners to continue doing what they love - making food for the community.
In weeks of operating since the stay-at-home order, positive energy ran through us all. We felt the support from you - the community was coming together placing orders with multiple vendors on the bill, sharing the word of Lokel Love and our partners with friends and family, and even donating to our cause. A community was growing from Lokel Love.
We do face some challenges, some weeks slower than others, but we remain hopeful. Your support keeps us motivated to continue doing what we love. We can’t thank you enough.
It’s uncertain what these times will bring us all, but we feel more than ever that we’re in this together. We continue to keep showing Lokel Love. Let’s continue building it together.
Lokel Love is the love for our partners to serve our community, and the love of our community to support us.
By Locals, For Locals - The Mission is Done Together.
Lokel Love - Click here to order from our partners.
Special Thanks to our growing family of partners: Lobsterdamus, Mano Po, Taste of the Pacific, Teofilo Coffee Company, Ninong’s Cafe, A’s BBQ, Hemera’s Bench, Star Sky Granola, Tatang, Mussels & Pearls, Hot Chicken LB, Sauzalito Fish Tacos, Creme Caramel LA, The Ricans, Churro Boss, Adam’s Get Down Gumbo, Kitchen Gangstas.
