Anti-Gang Program Hits Streets in Food Truck

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Homeboy Industries, a downtown L.A. anti-gang program, is hitting the road.

It launched its own food truck last week and will serve up a variety of Homeboy’s food products such as tacos, sandwiches and select pastry items.

Everything is sourced from its bakery production facility and will include breakfast, lunch and catering options.

The food truck will travel throughout greater Los Angeles and diners can find out where it will be by checking Homeboy’s website and social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.

The truck is operated by a staff manager and trainees who have graduated from Homeboy’s 18-month program for former gang members and previously incarcerated men and women. Revenue from the truck will help to support the programs and services of Homeboy, such as tattoo removal, job training and education.

Homeboy was established in 1988 by Father Gregory Boyle. The food truck is the 10th business to launch since its founding. It also operates a farm-to-table restaurant called Homegirl Café & Catering as well as silkscreen and embroidery services.

Steven Barkulis, manager of Homeboy’s food truck, said it started serving two weeks ago as a test run before it officially launched last week.

“Things are going great,” said Barkulis. “I hope that it continues further.”

Menu items range between $2.50 for tacos and $9 for chilaquiles.

Photo Wrap

It might look like standard colorful clothing, but when you unravel an Ink+Tailor scarf or wrap, it’s actually a photograph that’s been imprinted on the fabric.

Co-founders K’era Morgan and Maya von Geldern launched their photo-printed line of scarves and wraps in July and recently secured distribution with Fred Segal, where an exclusive collection will be carried at the Melrose Avenue store next month.

Morgan said the idea to use photographs instead of prints or textiles was to find a more permanent and creative way to save images.

“When you put it on a piece of fabric, that image changes and takes on new meaning,” she said. “And when you start to drape it and wrap it on the body it can be quite beautiful.”

Von Geldern added that the image itself becomes a pattern.

Ink+Tailor’s first collection features 12 pieces with images such as an antique Remington typewriter and locks attached to a fence along a bridge in Paris.

Morgan and Von Geldern take photos during their travels then incorporate them into a collection. Prices, based on width, vary from $198 for 19.5 inches up to $242 for 33.5 inches.

Ink+Tailor was established last year with headquarters in downtown Los Angeles and Portland, Ore. Its products are carried at about five boutiques, including Boca in Pacific Palisades. Printing is done at a facility in North Carolina, while the sewing and finishing is all done in downtown Los Angeles.

Von Geldern said the company has also been asked to do custom images for clients. For example, a retailer in Hawaii inquired about doing a collection featuring images from the island.

“We started to think about it and thought sure,” she said. “We’ll have to travel and go on a photography trip – there are worse things to do.”

Revolving Doors

Fast-casual restaurant Asian Box of Palo Alto will open its first downtown L.A. location, at Union Bank Plaza, in two weeks. … Steakhouse and seafood restaurant Ocean Prime, which first opened in Troy, Mich., will open a location in Beverly Hills in the fall, its first in Southern California. The 11,400-square-foot space will seat about 350 guests and will have three private dining rooms. … Garlo’s Aussie Pie Shop, serving Australian pies and pastries, was to open its flagship location in Westwood Village this week. … Five0Four will open its second location in downtown Los Angeles next month. The space, formerly the Parish, will be reminiscent of its Hollywood flagship but offer an expanded menu. … Restaurant Bacari PDR opened this month in Playa del Rey. … Natural fast-casual concept Kye’s will open on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica this fall. … Concourse Hotel LAX has entered into an agreement with Hyatt Hotels Corp. It will be renovated and rebranded as Hyatt Regency LAX in early 2016. … Smoothie franchise Juice It Up! of Irvine opened a location in Hermosa Beach last month. The store is the first of three to open under Ed Hardy co-founder Vincent Audigier and wife, Charee. … Dave & Busters opened a 35,000-square-foot location at Hollywood & Highland last month. … Fit2Run, an activewear store for runner’s, opened a location at Westfield Century City last month. … CorePower Yoga opened a studio in Redondo Beach last month. … Organic and vegan restaurant Café Gratitude will open a 4,200-square-foot location at One Santa Fe in the downtown L.A. Arts District early next year.

Staff reporter Subrina Hudson can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 549-5225, ext. 251.

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