Will investors succeed in saving Nate n’ Al’s?
Established in 1945, Nate n’ Al’s has served corn beef, brisket, hamburgers, stuffed cabbage, and short ribs to high-profile clientele for decades. The establishment also serves wild smoked salmon — reportedly flown in from New York.
Yet, that hasn’t stopped the Beverly Hills restaurant from possibly closing down.
Now, according to a new report, a group of investors has stepped in to stop Nate n’ Al’s from permanently going out of business.
Banding together to save a legendary shop.
A large group of investors, including Irving Azoff, his wife Shelli, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group’s Chairman Jeff Shell, Mike Meldman, and Rande Gerber and his wife Cindy Crawford, among many others, have paid to keep the restaurant from going under.
According to two sources, the group remains close to securing a new location for Nate n’ Al’s. The location may end up being a few blocks away in downtown Beverly Hills, though we’re not clear on the exact spot. This deal could close as soon as April 1st.
Mark and David Mendelson, grandsons of the restaurant’s founders, had wanted to sell their current building. Following the news, a Beverly Hills City Councilmember reportedly pushed to grant the current location “landmark status.” The 5,200 square foot building could fetch as much as $25 million, writes The Hollywood Reporter.
Both Mendelson brothers had initially aimed to sell the building to the Azoffs, who instead bought the business. The Azoffs have enlisted the aid of the large group of investors to keep the deli alive, just shy of its 75th anniversary.
According to one real estate source, the Azoffs have considered several new locations. They reportedly wanted to move the deli to Brentwood, a move many had frowned upon.
The source said,
“If they are at [nearby] Wolfgang’s [Steakhouse], and they have the same management, same cooks and wait staff, I’m going to go there — as long as it feels like home. But Brentwood, that would be a deal breaker.”
Representatives for Azoff, Gerber, and Shell didn’t respond for comment.