Union Cattle Co. Closing; Becoming Abigaile

By Elina Shatkin Thu., Jan. 12 2012 at 7:23 AM

Categories: Beer, Restaurant Openings & Closings

Dishes at Union Cattle Co.

This Sunday, South Bay local Jed Sanford will close down a Hermosa Beach landmark. Union Cattle Co. will shutter for a month-long overhaul and will reopen in early February as Abigaile, an upscale American brasserie with touches of Italian, French and Spanish influence. The chef is Max DiMare of Wood Tavern in Oakland. Sanford has also brought in Brian Brewer from Stone Brewery, who plans to debut some new brews when Abigaile opens.

The building has an intriguing history, having been through a number of incarnations. It started life as a Baptist church in 1924, became artist's cooperative the Creative Craft Center in the 1970s and later served as a rehearsal space for bands Black Flag and Redd Kross, among others. According to Easy Reader, Penelope Spheeris shot her seminal punk documentary The Decline of Western Civilization "in the dilapidated and vandalized building shortly before it was scheduled to be demolished."

Sanford, who is serves as the chairman of Hermosa Beach's Chamber of Commerce, plans to incorporate some of the building's history in the redesign but no mechanical bull. The designers are Bishop-Pass, who did M Street and Gjelina.

Union Cattle Co.'s last day of business is Saturday, January 14. Abigaile is scheduled to open February 3.

Elina Shatkin is a staff writer at LA Weekly. Follow her at @elinashatkin or contact her at eshatkin@laweekly.com.