Erewhon opened as a temporary café in LACMA’s new David Geffen Galleries in April, and has now announced that it will remain as the museum’s permanent café.
Erewhon, Los Angeles’ popular health food chain and retailer, announced Monday that it will become a permanent fixture at the David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art after operating as a pop-up there since April. The cafe will join the new building’s yet-to-be-announced restaurant, which is already hosting special events, including the recent unveiling of a poster designed by Ed Ruscha for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s new movie “Digger.”
To celebrate its new status, Erewhon announced a new LACMA smoothie created to resemble Alexander Calder’s fountain sculpture “Three Fives (Hello Girls),” located right next to the museum’s ground-floor cafe. The drink is made from pineapple, mango, strawberry, tangerine and lion’s mane (of course). It will be accompanied by limited edition products, including a sweatshirt and a bag.
LACMA’s new Peter Zumthor-designed building opened to the public in April and was met with equal parts praise and controversy. Erewhon, which opened as a pop-up about a week later, also caused excitement and some sadness; critics said the area could be better served with a cheaper option. (Erewhon is known for its high prices; a typical smoothie costs between $13 and $22.)
“We are absolutely thrilled that Erewhon at LACMA will become a permanent fixture of the museum experience,” Michael Govan, president and chief executive of LACMA, said in a news release. “Erewhon stands as a true family-run local icon, fiercely committed to its communities while promoting creativity and prosperity.”
The café will be open to guests without tickets and will be surrounded by many outdoor public art works.