Movses Aroyan, shown with family members at a special celebration at the Farmers Market, opened Moishe’s Restaurant in 1992. )photo courtesy of Jack Karapeti(photo courtesy of Jack Karapetian)
For more than three decades, visitors to the Original Farmers Market have enjoyed the Mediterranean cuisine at Moishe’s Restaurant, known for delicious falafel, gyros, kebobs, chicken shawarma and lamb dishes.
Many in the community continue to mourn the restaurant’s owner and patriarch Movses Aroyan, who died unexpectedly after falling and hitting his head outside the restaurant on Dec. 5. Aroyan’s nephew Jack Karapetian has taken on operations and is running Moishe’s, and plans to continue Aroyan’s legacy. He said the loss has been very painful for the family, customers and acquaintances of Aroyan, who was a well-known figure for years at the Farmers Market.
“Everybody knew him and everybody loved him,” Karapetian said. “He was a very good businessman, he was very disciplined. He was a man of God and a very religious person. He helped everybody. He had a very caring heart.”
Aroyan was originally from Lebanon and moved to Montreal before coming to Los Angeles in the late 1980s. Karapetian said Aroyan spoke five languages – English, Armenian, Arabic, French and German. He originally worked as an engraver and carpenter before starting a Mediterranean restaurant in Montreal and later opening a restaurant at the Farmers Market. Moishe’s specialties are made from traditional recipes handed down in Aroyan’s family. Karapetian said the falafel is a favorite among customers.
“We have people coming from all over the world, from Israel, France, Armenia, Lebanon – they love to try our food,” he said. “They are looking for Mediterranean food that they would get back home, which is what we offer.”
Funeral services for Aroyan were held on Dec. 26 and he was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park-Hollywood Hills. Aroyan is survived by his wife Ani Chatalian and niece Jasmine Chatalian, as well as Karapetian and two grandchildren.
“He had two grandchildren that he was crazy for. He loved his grandchildren,” Karapetian added. “He was a very good man.”
Moishe’s Restaurant is located in stall 336 at the Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St. For information, call (323)936-4998, or visit farmersmarketla.com/merchants/moishes-restaurant.