Chocolate shop

Charles Aslan sits in his leased space, filled with Batchelder tile, in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Aug. 1, 2012 12 AM PT

When entrepreneur Charles Aslan took over a drab arcade on West 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles, he ripped out the plywood walls separating the stalls to unearth a treasure trove of master tile maker Ernest Batchelder’s early work. Aslan has big plans for the space now.

Besides reviving the chocolate shop, Charles Aslan envisions a restaurant on the second floor and some sort of Arts and Crafts studio on the third. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Arches of Batchelder tile at the 6th Street property. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Aslan has filled the space with furniture, paintings and other items to sell while he proceeds with the chocolate shop project. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

A woman checks out Aslan’s space as she passes by in downtown L.A. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

California

Chocolate shop

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