On Friday, September 6, the restaurant Hart House announced the closure of its six locations across Southern California. Founded by actor and comedian Kevin Hart, the chain was known for their completely plant based menu, creating a fast food option prioritizing sustainability and health.
The University Park South location on Figeuroa made its debut a little over a year ago on June 21, 2023. Though the reason for the sudden closing is unknown, all of Hart House’s restaurants closed their doors to the public after September 10.
Though Hart House’s closure went into effect Wednesday morning, the inside of the restaurant seemed to be in good spirits on Tuesday afternoon. R&B music blasted through the speakers while the interior was decorated vibrantly. Online orders were being prepared, drinks were fully stocked, and the facility was clean. Other customers sat outside, enjoying the available shade surrounded by a fountain and palm trees
When told of the news, one recent USC graduate, Jamilah Muhammad, put her head in her hands.
“I am so heartbroken,” Muhammad said “It is so hard to get good food in LA. And I’m from Nashville, Tennessee. I know good food, and this is the closest place to my house that I can actually access good tasting, flavorful, actually healthy food.”
Hart House built itself around the vegan and vegetarian communities, but had no problem in drawing in customers who prefer meat in their diets.
“Chick-fil-A doesn’t even stand a chance against Hart House,” Muhammad said. “For me, I stopped going there, because why would I go to Chick-fil-A and get a chicken sandwich when I could go to Hart House and get a chicken sandwich?”
A Hart House manager told Annenberg Media that he had no comment on the restaurant’s closure, but expressed that it was sudden.
“USC has not been very open about their support of local restaurant trains, especially vis-a-vis the village a couple years ago,” said Ian Filkins, a first-year M.B.A. student at USC, when asked about possible reasons for the closure.
Emery Ogah, a master’s student in the Iovine and Young Academy, expressed his appreciation for Hart House’s inclusivity and accessibility as a restaurant.
“It’s a really nice ambiance, but a lot of people bring their food from other restaurants into Hart House rather than buying food at Hart House,” Ogah said. “I think if they start closing the gate, ‘so people don’t eat here with other food,’ then we’re going to start having a problem.”
It is unclear who or what will replace Hart House, but it is certain that this restaurant became a piece of the community for some USC students.