Long Beach has a cozy daytime tearoom that turns into a hip bar at night?
It sure does.
The Wicked Wolf – the popular cocktail lounge, 2332 Pacific Ave., in the Wrigley Neighborhood — is now a tea house during the day, dubbed Tea Time Wolf.
“We’re thrilled to bring a new dimension to The Wicked Wolf,” owner-operator Thea Mercouffer wrote in a press release “Tea Time Wolf is designed to be a welcoming place, whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee on your way to work, or settling in with coworkers for a lunchtime meeting. It’s a space where people can connect, collaborate, or relax in a cozy, fairy tale setting.”
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Tea Time Wolf – a 21 and over location — is open open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
Tea Time Wolf’s menu features specialty teas from around the globe, coffee, chai and matcha, house-made mocktails, fresh soups and salads, artisanal pastries and sandwiches. My personal favorites include the house-made treats like chocolate chia pudding and overnight oats. The menu includes tea sandwiches and homemade pastries from The Merchant Bakery. For details and upcoming events, go to thewickedwolflb.com.
Food drive and car show
We all like to support businesses that give back to our community. One business that gives back in a big way is Performance Plus Tire, 3910 Cherry Ave. The longtime family-owned shop offers performance wheels, tires and brake services.
And over the past 26 years, Performance Plus Tire has fed more than 13,000 families.
This year, the goal of the 27th annual food drive is to help 600 local families in need.
To reach that goal, the owners, Hank and Joyce Feldman, will host a food drive and car show from 8 to11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at Performance Plus Tire. Besides the car show, volunteers will help assemble more than 1,200 boxes of food. It is a fun event.
For information, go to performanceplustire.com/performance-plus-food-drive.
Economic outlook
The 2024 Long Beach Economic Forum on Oct. 24 brought together more than 300 civic and business leaders, with the event’s speakers presenting a positive outlook on the city’s economic future.
The forum took place at 440 Elm Ave., a historic landmark (and former church) with an on-site caterer that can hold up to 1,100 people on the grounds or 500 in the sanctuary. The venue – located in the Arts District — can be viewed on line at .440elm.com, and they are booking holiday parties now.
As for last month’s forum, Jim Michaelian, the president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, was one of the key speakers, and he discussed the positive economic impact the annual street race has had on the city.
Tickets sales for the 50th anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, which is April 11 to 13, have started. Long past are the days when race fans would be lined up early in the morning on the day that ticket sales started.
Prices range from $44 for a Friday general admission ticket to $205 for a three-day ticket that includes weekend reserved seating in the grandstands. The prices for various other packages go up from there.
“Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is a monumental milestone for our city, our fans and the racing community,” Michaelian said in a press release. “We’re thrilled to bring an incredible lineup of special events and fan experiences that honor our history – which we will be announcing in the coming weeks – while showcasing the thrill of racing at its finest. This year’s event will not only reflect on five decades of unforgettable moments but also deliver an exciting, action-packed weekend that promises to make this anniversary a truly memorable one for everyone involved.”
For more information, go to gplb.com. Ticket orders can also be placed by calling the toll-free ticket hotline, 888-827-7333.
Micro Art Galleries
The newest micro galleries in town are having their first artwalk from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8.
In Belmont Shore, there are currently two of these miniature art galleries.
Gallery 2 (the gallery numbers are a sum of the address) is located a little in from the corner of Second Street and La Verne Avenue. Heather Kern is curating the Belmont Shore Business Association gallery there. The other Belmont Shore gallery is curated by me and is in front of my house, 5348 The Toledo.
Gallery 20 has an exhibit called “Tiny Landmarks,” created by artist and former Grunion Gazette video guru Jesse Lopez. He re-creates historical signs in a miniature version.
