When Andrew Cohen finally opened the doors to Rush Snack Bar this morning it was obvious that he made the right naming choice. The flood of early morning commuters coming from the bowels of the 7th Street Metro Center Station proved that rush hour is the right time to entice groggy Metro riders with a snack or beverage.
L.A.’s first retail store in a subway station has received a surprising amount of hype – the little snack bar even made it into the L.A. Times this weekend. Cohen, who worked for years to obtain the easements for the subterranean space tucked inside the Hope Street portal of the subway station, could not be happier about the attention his venture has received.
In fact, if the 7th Street Metro Center location is a hit, he hopes to branch out and create a chain of snack bars at other Metro stations throughout the city.
What inspired Andrew to open Rush? “Europe,” he told me, “You see places like Rush all throughout Europe and I wanted to bring that convenience to L.A.”
And when you walk into Rush you can’t help but notice hints of its inspired European heritage. The space itself is tiny like any good Parisan cafe, but it’s clean and well laid out so that it doesn’t feel cramped. Wood paneling along the walls make you forget that you’re in a subway station. The concise menu is artfully crafted with chalk lettering – no glaring flat screens here.
Despite the rather plush interior the menu itself is simple and affordable – well within the range of any Metro rider’s budget. A dollar menu has the expected chips, sodas and other convenience store fare but I was most pleasantly surprised to find some healthier options on the menu. A juice bar offers freshly blended veggie and fruit concoctions for $3.50. The “Grab-N-Go” menu offers slightly heartier fare – great for lunch – all for under $5.
I ordered a juice drink (“The Rush”) and a veggie panini (freshly made, not prepackaged) for an under $10 lunch. If that’s still too spendy, Cohen is currently working with Metro to offer a Destination Discount to Metro riders, so stay tuned to The Source for more info on that deal.
More pictures after the jump.
More than your average snack: a veggie panini and couscous from Rush Snack Bar.
The Rush Snack Bar team poses behind the counter on opening day.
A small sign at the entrance reminds hungry commuters that there's no eating or drinking on Metro trains or platforms.
Hooray for free market common-sense capitalism, down with stupid bureaucratic red-tape that says train stations can only be used as unitasking train station.
Just wait until the subway and light rail hits Culver City and West LA. Those Japanese business owners near the Sawtelle area will show what a real multi-use train station can achieve.
Hey All,
Just wanted to chime in with my own two cents. I think what’s promising about this — beyond the convenience to transit users — is that an entrepreneur is confident enough about the strength and future prospects of public transit in L.A. that he’s willing to stake his enterprise on it. That is illustrative of a positive overall change in attitude in this region.
Carter Rubin
Contributor, The Source
This development is extremly encouraging beamer 184
I was a huge cheerleader on Famima!! Japanese market at Union Station, but this is also big news for Los Angeles’ public transit. Any kind of blending of rail and retail is a good idea.
My travels don’t always take me through 7th/ Metro, but I will pay Rush a visit the next time I head that direction.
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Can’t Wait to visit and try it out! The design is appealing and if the food is just right, they will have me hooked.
I realize the business is new, but does anyone know the hours for the place?
I’d like to give the guy some money for a late night smoothie.
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Amazing space. I was so glad to see it open for business. As I stood inside the store, I looked at all the people walking by and almost all of them peered inside Rush Snack Bar almost in confusion that there was this “new store in the subway station.” I am hoping this becomes the new model for LA’s transit system and that we can finally bring food on board (with NO LITTER laws as opposed to no eating laws).