Dave Whitton

07/26/20 • 65 min

You have probably not heard of Dave Whitton. But if you've been to Seven Grand ... Villains Tavern ... One Eyed Gypsy ... or, now, PrankBar, you have been subject to his hospitality.
Why did I ask him to be interviewed? Because he has made a journey that is less common than you might expect - from bartender to bar owner. And also, because he's funny and a great interview.
He started out like so many others - moving to LA to chase the dream. And, even while making his way up the LA cocktail food chain, he continued to play in a band (the Eggshell Egoz - perhaps perfect for people in his profession...). But, also like so many others, he ended up tending bar to make some money on the side. And it turns out that not only was he really good at that, but he had a knack for the business side of things too. So, after stints at Golden Gopher and Seven Grand (and being mentored by ELA podcast guest Cedd Moses), he got into the ownership game when he helped open Villains Tavern. Then, finally, he opened his own place - PrankBar, his "indoor/outdoor bar" in South Park, just up the street from Staples Center.
So, we'll hear about that journey - which included early stops at places like Howl at the Moon and Islands (what? Yep.). The trials and tribulations of deciding to open your own business. How it's going now. What keeps him up at night. And we'll do it all while laughing a lot inside an ADA lift/photo booth at Prank....

Previous Episode

Linda Dishman

Los Angeles used to have a reputation as a city that not only didn't care about its past, but hardly realized it even had a past. One of the biggest reasons that has changed is the advocacy and the effectiveness of the Los Angeles Conservancy. And the woman who has headed that organization for over 25 years is Linda Dishman.
How does someone become interested - and make a career in - historic preservation? What's it like to take on the mighty Los Angeles Archdiocese ... and win? And after so much success saving so many historic buildings ... what's next? (Hint: the 70s are now 50 years old)
Take a deep dive into some of the Conservancy's biggest fights, and hear why historic preservation goes far beyond any 4 walls. And how it might even include a rotating foot sign.

Next Episode

Carol Schatz

The 24/7 Downtown Los Angeles we know now didn't happen by accident. And it didn't happen without a lot of hard work. And one of the hardest workers and most consequential leaders who helped make that happen was Carol Schatz - now widely recognized as the unofficial "Queen of Downtown". As the longtime head of the Central City Association, Carol helped make sure that Staples Center actually faced *towards* Downtown. She helped pass the policies that allowed for the conversion of older buildings to condos and apartments. She even fought for real nightlife options (putting the "24" in 24/7). For all that and more, Carol is arguably on the Mount Rushmore of the new Downtown LA.
But for everything people know about Carol, there's a lot that they probably don't. Like the fact that she majored in "Revolution" at UC Berkeley. Or that she was smack in the middle of the savings and loan crisis of the 80s. Or that she was actually passed over for the CEO role at CCA two times - because nobody could imagine giving it to a woman - before finally getting the job, with an assist from Mayor Riordan.
How did Downtown happen? Listen to this episode to find out.