A Night to Remember: A Visit to Bruce Meyer’s Car Garage and the Patron Party “Lobstah Fest”

On July 13, 2024, Bruce Meyers had the Friends of Robinson Gardens Patrons and Benefactors spellbound with his stories from selling candles to loving hot rods. His current car garage was once the mail order section of his candle and incense business on Beverly Drive in the Beverly Hills triangle. There is a fascinating story behind each of his cars. “I just buy cars that are attractive to me and did not think of them as collectible.” Bruce believes in only buying what you love and paying top dollar to restore it.

Besides being a stellar member of the Beverly Hills community, in endless ways he has also been extra special to Robinson Gardens. Ivo, Virginia Robinson’s major domo, asked Bruce to loan us one of his treasures to park in front of the estate for our evening galas. Gearys, his long-time family store, also often decorated the Dining Room in the Main House for our annual garden tours.

In an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times, Bruce recounts his fascinating journey:

How I Made It: Bruce Meyer’s Road to Success from Candle Wax to Classic Cars

Bruce Meyer was a long-haired hippie, just graduated from UC Berkeley, when he suggested that his family expand their Gearys gift boutique to include candles and a mail-order business. That began a retail revolution that made Gearys one of the premiere Beverly Hills shopping destinations, and fueled Meyer’s decades-long obsession with cars that led to the founding of the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Click here to read more about this cool guy. 

After this stellar visit to Bruce’s car garage, the Patrons then dined at the Reinsteins’ lovely home in Beverly Hills.

The summer evening was perfect for a celebration, and the annual Patron Party did not disappoint. Massachusetts-born and raised Patti and her husband Fred Reinstein, decided to surprise this year’s guests with an old-fashioned “Lobstah Pahty.” Guests were welcomed to the event by crossing a picturesque bridge, leading them to a small garden transformed into a delightful bar area. The signature drink of the night, the Cape Codder, was a hit, complemented by a selection of fine wines. Hors d’oeuvres, featuring a variety of gourmet bites, added to the evening’s culinary pleasures.  At dinner time, guests were greeted by the enchanting sight of long tables that were set up down the large lawn area, covered in charming red and white checkered tablecloths. Denver daisies added a vibrant splash of color, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

At the heart of the evening’s feast was a magnificent spread of lobsters, artichokes, potatoes, and corn, all strewn down the center of the long tables. This communal dining setup encouraged everyone to dig in with their hands and enjoy the bounty together.

Alongside these delights, renowned caterer Joe Monteferrante had prepared mouthwatering corn muffins, which paired perfectly with bowls of drawn butter placed from one end of the table to the other. Joe has been a longtime friend to Robinson Gardens and his delicious peach cobbler, served warm with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream on top, was the perfect ending for a perfect meal.

The Lobstah Pahty was more than just a meal; it was an experience. The combination of delicious food, charming décor, and the joy of shared company made it a night to remember.  As the evening came to a close, guests were handed thick turquoise and red lobster-themed beach towels and T-shirts as a keepsake to remember the night. The vibrant colors were a perfect match for the festive atmosphere of the Patron Party, ensuring everyone left with a lasting memory of the event.

On a historical note, the Reinsteins’ home and garden was the site of the Hunting Lodge on the Anderson estate. Margaret Anderson, Robbie’s grandmother, founded the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1912. (Robbie Anderson is Jeanne’s husband.)

A big thank you to Premier Events Chair Jeanne for organizing such a fabulous and memorable event!

Post and photos by Jeanne Anderson and Patti Reinstein
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Members