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Earlez Grille Still Cooking, But Will Likely Move to Crenshaw Square Early Fall

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Category: Community News

Published on Monday, 17 June 2013 17:58

Written by Chelsee Lowe

[Update: Earlez Grille is moving to 3864 Crenshaw Blvd. in early 2014]

As Metro moves forward with plans for the Crenshaw/LAX line, Hildred Earle-Brown and her sons Duane and Carey prepare to move their business, Earlez Grille, to a new home.

“We aren’t leaving due to eminent domain, as some people have said,” Earle-Brown told TNN this week during a meeting at the restaurant. “This property was leased [by us] with the option to buy about 5 years ago, but we knew Metro was coming eventually. We were not forced to move, but we’re aware we have to move.”

Though the community is upset to see Earlez Grille go, Earle-Brown is taking it all in stride. “When you’re moving from one place, to another there’s always a bit of an upheaval. But we can ride it. The boys and I will be fine,” she said with a smile. She and her sons agree that the train line will benefit the nearby community and the entire city.

“As far as I’m concerned [the train] is needed,” says Earle-Brown, who spent years in New York riding the subway to and from work. “I am used to the subway, and the subways always got us conveniently from point A to point B with thousands of people for all walks of life, from the executive to the man on the street. I’m not used to continuously driving all the time. A train from here to LAX, with the price of gas and the state of the economy, is a good thing, I think.” As of now Metro plans to construct an underground train tunnel from the intersection of Exposition and Crenshaw down to 48th Street, at which point the train will come above ground and travel to LAX via Crenshaw, Florence, and Aviation Boulevards.

Safety is always a concern when a stop is proposed in a given area. Earle-Brown explained how locals are chiefly worried about pedestrians, particularly youth disregarding signage and running in front of trains. But these risks are not unlike those faced by other urban centers with public transit lines. People of all ages must use the systems responsibly for the benefit of the whole population.

Another point of contention is that original plans for the Crenshaw/LAX line did not include a stop in Leimert Park, a fact that Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas and others have been fighting.

“Leimert Park is our only African American community in LA, not only with its residents but [with] 99% of the businesses there  being owned by African Americans. We were sorely omitted from the plans.” Leimert Park residents and activists are waiting to hear if a stop will be added to the plan. 

As for Earlez Grille, remaining a part of the Crenshaw District is of the utmost importance. Spaces in Leimert Park were considered, but Earle-Brown thinks that new meters would make parking tricky for customers, many of whom visit on their lunch hour. Now it’s likely the restaurant will relocate to Crenshaw Square, where there is ample parking without meters. A lease has already been written up and reviewed by attorneys.  “Still in the Crenshaw District, with the same support for the community that’s supported my sons for so many years and kept a roof over their heads. We appreciate it and we will not leave,” says Earle-Brown.

Until the official moving day arrives, customers will find Earlez Grille staff members grilling outdoors in the parking lot, taking in the pleasant summer weather and
 serving great chili dogs, fries and more to the community, just like they always have.

3630 Crenshaw Blvd.  90008   (323) 299-2867  http://www.earlezgrille.com

Photos by Chelsee Lowe   Co-Owner Hildred Earle-Brown left and employee
Claudia C. in photo above

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