A popular Culver City restaurant has decided to close its doors after a series of crimes in the area cost them tens of thousands of dollars.
Walther Adrianzen started Ceviche Shop as a food truck, but its success allowed him to open a brick-and-mortar store on the corner of La Cienega Boulevard and Washington Boulevard three years ago.
Even as he continues that success, Adrianzen says crime is driving his business out of Culver City and possibly elsewhere in the Southland.
‘You know, four robberies in a year. If you add those up, we probably lost $30,000,” he recalled, noting that the crimes aren’t even the worst problems he’s had to deal with. ‘A homeless man broke a tequila bottle on my head. They almost killed me, but since I wasn’t killed, it wasn’t that big of a crime to be a crime.”
The latest problem, which occurred while customers were inside, is why he’s closing the doors for good.
“A homeless man came and he threw a rock in the window,” he said, showing the shattered window.
He says he would love to continue his passion and provide Peruvian food to the Los Angeles community, but that might involve a move nearly an hour away to La Puente.
Police data from 2022 to 2024 shows a decrease in burglaries targeting businesses in Culver City, with the department attributing this to increased patrols during peak traffic areas, but Adrianzen says things appear to be getting worse despite that report.
Yet he does not let this step deter him.
“My wife and I will come back stronger,” he said.
