A R T S & C U LT U R E Republic of Lucha is a quirky and eccentric gift shop in South Pasadena.
LIFE, LIBERTY, LUCHA
REPUBLIC OF LUCHA GIVES WRESTLING FOCUS TO GIFT SHOP BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
This eccentric shop is co-owned by Javier Robles, his wife Ari de Alba, and All Elite Wrestling stars the Lucha Brothers.
Photos courtesy of Ari de Alba
J
avier Robles admits his store, Republic of Lucha, is a little bit kitsch and somewhat eccentric — but it’s the perfect gift shop for wrestling fans and nonfans alike. Co-owned by Robles, his wife Ari de Alba, and All Elite Wrestling stars the Lucha Brothers, Republic of Lucha opened in March. “We decided to do something centered around lucha libre — not so much the sport but the culture of it,” Robles says. “It’s something really unique and colorful and vibrant and alive. We know how much people all over the world are fascinated by it, although they might not be fans of the sport, per se.” The idea was born in October, but the entrepreneurs wanted to wait to open Republic of Lucha or a taco truck until 2022, when it would presumably be safe post-pandemic. However, a “gorgeous” 3,800-square-foot, two-and-a-half-story brick building from 1908
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