Mission Hills' The Red Door Opens Itself To Community Investors

Starting this August, locally-minded Mission Hills restaurant The Red Door will become California's first community-supported restaurant (CSR). Following the community supported agriculture (CSA) model, in which members buy a stake in a farm's crop and in return share the harvest, the Washington Street eatery is offering two membership levels that each come with an array of member benefits that range from discounts to special events and classes.

In exchange for pledging to support the restaurant and its efforts to further its farm-to-table commitment, CSR members will receive invitations to free members-only events, including special dinners, garden and market tours, and seasonal classes that will run from jam making to cooking classes — plus gift certificates and a 20% discount on retail wine. Members can join at $500 for a one-year membership and $1,000 for a three-year membership.

In a statement, owner Trish Watlington, who is in the midst of remodeling the adjacent space into new cocktail lounge BAR by Red Door, says, "We’re excited that with a solid base of financial support we can let our creativity fly with classes, meals and outreach that will expand the community’s sustainable food knowledge and support for those strengthening our local food system."