Meet Scott Richter | Restaurant Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott Richter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
As I was growing up, I wouldn’t describe myself as being the biggest risk taker. I was more cautious when it came to new things. What I can say is that I did stray from the norm, beat to my own drum, but also admired those who did take risks. As I was entering the professional world, I learned how taking risks played a large role in the success of many people I looked up too. After graduating college, I recall talking with my peers about their next moves after school. I found myself then having slight envy of those who said they were moving to different cities and starting a new journey, as opposed to those who said they were moving back to where they were from.

Ironically, my first job after school was in the Insurance industry. The insurance industry is all about risk. My job was to help those plan their financial futures for their families or business, which was largely based off one’s risk tolerance. For five years I had a great introduction to the “Risk” business. These years helped push me to take my first big risk. I opened a food stand in the biggest outdoor food market in the country, Smorgasburg in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Starting that business truly changed my life. It led me to then take the risk of leaving my full-time job in Insurance, move across the country, to pursue the Hospitality industry in Las Vegas.

Moving across the country, away from all my friends and family, was very hard to do, but if felt like the right move for me. It naturally forced me to go outside my comfort zone, meet new people and enter a totally different line of work. I worked for 2 years as Restaurant Manager on Las Vegas Blvd., which was an invaluable experience. From working in Las Vegas, I then learned of the opportunity to work with Shake Shack and help them open many of their new stores in the Los Angeles market. Being from NY and seeing Shake Shack grow from its inception, sparked my interest to learn more about its West Coast expansion. I was fortunate to help Shake Shack open their flagship West Hollywood store, as well as open 8 others around LA and one in Internationally in London. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d be in the position of living in Los Angeles.

After 3.5 years of working for Shake Shack, I decided to go out on my own and open my first restaurant. My previous experiences had provided the foundation, to get to this point. From opening my own business while living in NY, to then moving to 2 different cities, it was almost as if I then taught myself how to jump in with two feet and take risks. I was doing what I truly wanted too deep down and that is why I am in the position of where I am at today and continues to fuel to the fire that keeps me going.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Nothing is easy. We are a hidden gem cafe located in the heart of DTLA. Spring St Cafe is a 9th floor cafe, located in the Spring Arts Tower, the same building as The Last Bookstore. We specialize in breakfast, lunch, catering to offices and productions.

As a business, we knew we needed to stand out, as our location is unique, being on the 9th floor. We opened in October of 2019, at the time my wife was pregnant with our first child and due the following month. Opening a new business and becoming a father, back-to-back was something that I’ve never experienced before, that took a lot of courage and discipline.

After the first 4 months of business, COVID-19 occurred. We had to shut down the cafe for 6 weeks, just after finishing our best week of sales yet. Times were so uncertain, my new business was going 60mph to zero, and I needed to figure out how I was going to be able to support my family. We battled through and are excited to still be standing.

No matter how hard or uncertain times are, if you have the right people around you and continue to put one foot in front of another, every day, things will be okay. There is only so much that you can control. Your expectations might not be where you want them to be, but over time, they will get better.

We are focused in providing great hospitality, along with a clean, fresh menu. When you come to Spring St. Cafe, you immediately feel welcomed and as if you are in an oasis from the DTLA streets. We have amazing views that make you feel as if you are in New York City.

We are proud of the community we have built through the cafe and being genuine in doing so. It is an old school establishment that plays good music and where everybody knows your name.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In no specific ranking here are some spots that I enjoy:

Cora’s for breakfast in Santa Monica. Farm fresh food, one block from the boardwalk.

Jones Hollywood for drinks or dinner. Might have the most underrated desserts in LA.

Noshi sushi in KTown – hole in the wall Japanese restaurant that makes you feel like you’re eating sushi back in the late 80’s

I enjoy driving along Sunset Blvd all the way down to PCH.

For high end Spago and Republique are some of the top eats in the city along with the most consistent.

Malibu/Malibu Country Mart/Neptune’s Net – drive along the PCH and make sure to disconnect. While doing so stop at these places along the way.

Always fit in a good Hike, a Breakfast Burrito, maybe a Dodger Game

Have to stop at the Last Bookstore too maybe before going to the Broad museum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my Shoutout to my family. They have faced the most sacrifice in my decision to move out West, to achieve my goals.

To my friends who have answered the phone calls, texts and have helped encourage me along the way.

To any former colleague or employee that I have had the privilege to work with, my life and career wouldn’t be where it is now, without all these connections made along the way.

Website: www.springstcafela.com

Instagram: @springstcafe

Linkedin: Scott J Richter

Yelp: Spring St. Cafe

Image Credits
Jason Rivera @JayRivPhoto @studiostupendous