A Take-Out Order? Clifton's Cafeteria Building Up For Sale

It's been a rough few years for the Clinton family, who remain the owners and operators of the last of their once-booming set of cafeteria eateries in Los Angeles, Clifton's Cafeteria. It was just three years ago that the death of Jean Clinton Roeschlaub, described as the cafeteria family's heiress, was ruled homicide; the 83-year-old who was thought to be the heart and soul of the restaurant was found dead inside her penthouse apartment.

Now the Clinton family has had to face another difficult challenge: The building that houses the last remaining Clifton's Cafeteria is going up for sale, three years after the family finally purchased it for themselves. "And although the family that owns Clifton's Cafeteria intends to stay open for business, the historic restaurant is facing some serious financial challenges," explains the LA Times.

The eatery, known as Clifton's Brookdale for its whimsical forest-themed decor, is thought by many to be both a icon of LA's past but part of "a dying breed" in restaurants, since it's one of the only cafeterias of its kind left open in the area. Business along Broadway, where this Clifton's has been since the mid-1930s, has slowed, as has business at the cafeteria, too. The Clintons are hoping to have better luck in selling the building and continuing to operate the cafeteria. "Broker Ed Rosenthal said the ideal buyer would be able to improve the building and restore it to its previous splendor, all the while allowing the cafeteria to continue operating." The building, which is approximately 47,000 square feet, is hitting the market at $4.75 million.

Previously on LAist
Video of the Day: Clifton's Cafeteria in Downtown is Recession & Depression Proof
Charles Phoenix Disneyland Tour of Los Angeles (with a stop at Clifton's)
An Hommage to the Absurd at Clifton's Kitschy Cafeteria