Community Gem in Jeopardy

The Lucy Florence Coffee House and the Harris brothers who opened it in 2000 have been a part of Leimert Park’s renaissance in the wake of the 1992 riots.

The clean, safe space -- known for strong coffee, jazz and the spoken word -- quickly became a favorite among Crenshaw-area residents and artists. For many, the coffee shop’s opening, as well as nearby businesses, helped reclaim an arts scene that had deteriorated and was almost snuffed out by the riots. A year later, Richard and Ron Harris, both 51, opened a theater, then a restaurant. All are clustered on the same property owned by Community Build Inc., a nonprofit community development corporation established in response to the riots.

But a brewing feud between the brothers and Community Build, which lured the twins from West Hollywood, has jeopardized the future of the businesses on Degnan Boulevard. An eviction notice, the result of a lawsuit filed by the corporation, is expected soon.

A corporation official said the Harris brothers had not paid rent and didn’t have insurance. The brothers dispute the allegations and criticize their landlord for lack of upkeep on the property.

To patrons, neighboring business owners and Crenshaw residents, the dispute’s details are less important than the void that the closures would leave.

“I think they are a great asset to the community,” said Lynn Edmondson, who owns Edmondson’s Ivory Coast Hair Salon across the street. “It’s not an eyesore. It’s not just another vacant area. There’s enough of that in this neighborhood.”

April Walker Smith, a teacher for the deaf, said the coffeehouse is her “place of peace.” The 29-year-old said she drives from Cerritos several times a week to visit.

“It’s so gorgeous. Some of the places here can be eyesores,” she said. “But it’s so classy.... There’s nothing else like this.”

Community activist Najee Ali, who lives nearby, said he comes by every day.

“There are very few upscale places that the African American community can congregate at, and it’s affordable.”

Gloria Anderson, 68, of Inglewood, was so moved by the Harris brothers’ contribution to the community that when she heard the business was in trouble, she started volunteering at the coffeehouse, waiting on customers.

“They are so dedicated to the community,” she said, “I said, ‘I have to do what I can to help them.’ ”

In hopes that their support would make a difference, Ali, Anderson and others gathered outside the coffeehouse Wednesday to protest the pending eviction. About two dozen people stood alongside the Harris brothers, and many spoke about the contributions the pair have made to the community.

“Lucy Florence is the jewel of Leimert Park,” Ali said. “It will be devastating to lose this business.”

Community Build president Brenda Shockley said the eviction was purely business. “It’s a very simple matter. You have to maintain insurance and you have to pay the rent.”

The dispute, which began over a year ago, involves recurring allegations that the brothers did not pay rent and did not have insurance. The brothers have denied that was the case. Community Build has sued the brothers twice. The latest litigation was resolved last week when a Los Angeles Superior Court judge found the twins in breach of their lease. According to court records, they owe $24,900 for back rent and legal fees.

The eviction notice is expected to be posted in the next few days. At that point, the twins have five days to pack up and leave.

Lucy Florence and the two other businesses are among the shops, hair salons and eateries on Degnan Boulevard that make up the Leimert Park art scene. It is in the heart of the Crenshaw district, a predominantly African American, middle-class neighborhood. Lucy Florence is named after the twins’ 83-year-old mother, who lives in Atlanta, where the men grew up. After its success, the men opened the 4305 Village Theater in 2001, and the restaurant, Christoria Le Florence, in 2003.

The Harris brothers said they will not budge. Richard Harris said he hopes the city will intervene and said they are hoping they can relocate to a gallery across the street.

“We could move on, but that’s certainly not what we plan to do,” Richard Harris said.