Los Angeles, CA–Annalisa Mastroianni Johnson is eager to welcome customers back to Annie’s Soul Delicious, her signature soul food experience. However, excitement about the restaurant’s opening, comes alongside mounting frustrations about issues plaguing business owners in the area.
After closing her original location during the pandemic and operating out of a cloud kitchen for two years, Annie’s Soul Delicious is finally opening a new home, right up the street from her former location in the Fairfax District.
Read More: Struggling to open: Fairfax District restaurant plagued by break-ins, fire, homeless
“Our new location is 339 N. Fairfax Avenue, near Fairfax and Beverly. We’re going to have mimosa Sunday brunches and a welcoming atmosphere where food and love go hand in hand.”
Mastroianni Johnson revealed during an interview that in addition to preparing her new space for opening, she is also dealing with issues such as break-ins, issues with the homeless, and a fire at a neighboring property.
The situation escalated on October 8, when the vacant building next door caught fire. Fortunately, her restaurant was spared from flames, but her utilities, including power and water, were shut off for days.
Johnson voiced her frustration, noting that this incident—and others like the copper piping theft, which left a hole in the restaurant’s ceiling—could have been avoided if the adjacent vacant properties had been properly secured.
Mastroianni Johnson is mostly troubled by the lack of support from Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, whose office she reached out to several times for support.
“Taking my calls and sending me polite emails doesn’t do anything, she expressed. I don’t need you to be polite, I need you to be responsive. The only office that has been helpful is the office of beautification.”
Despite these hardships, Johnson remains resilient and committed to her vision.
“I’ve learned how resilient I am and how many people love and support me. I really believe that this is a great location, and the street can be revitalized.”
Annie’s Soul Delicious is poised to bring a fresh burst of flavor to Fairfax, offering not just soul food but also hope and inspiration. Johnson’s resilience and the backing of her loyal supporters, reflect her commitment to overcoming challenges and creating a welcoming space for the community.
