Royal/T Closes After 5 Years, Continues Expansion

After five years of artistic and cultural tradition, Royal/T is closing its doors today in Culver City.

The 10,000-square-foot mixed-use space brought an eclectic mix of dining, retail and contemporary art to life with LA’s first Japanese “cosplay” maid café, exhibition space and retail store. Under founder Susan Hancock’s artful eye, Royal/T entertained and educated Angelenos with more than 12 exhibits and 500 events since its opening in 2007.

Such curated art exhibits that rotated every three to six months include “The Warholian,” with nine original Andy Warhol pieces, and the street-art fueled “FACEMAKER,” as well as pop-up events with Barbie, Hello Kitty and the Harajuku Tea Party for Gwen Stefani.

Hancock says the closing is bittersweet, but is excited to take her passion for art and culture on the road by expanding the Royal/T brand across the country with a new array of special events, exhibits and shows focusing on art consultancy, custom art travel, museum support, brand collaborations and pop-up partnerships.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Culver City and would like to take a moment to thank each and every loyal guest, brand partner, artist, designer and chef for their incredible support, collaborative spirit, and endless enthusiasm, leaving us with a lifetime of magical memories,” says Hancock. “We look ahead to continuing our support of the diverse art, food, fashion, and design communities with a new series of local, regional, national events and Royal/T experiences.”

Her goal for Royal/T is to help up-and-coming artists by utilizing them for collaboration in hopes of boosting their exposure within the art and design communities. Hancock references a time when she worked with Japanese designer Yayoi Kusama for an exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and Marc Jacobs singled her out to collaborate with him for Louis Vuitton.

Hancock is currently working with different hotels, restaurants and other spaces in New York where the Royal/T brand will set up camp.

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