With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Clifton's Cafeteria to be Open 24 Hours, Hire 100 New Employees, Including Homeless
Photo by Open Air Control Testing Ground via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
()
Photo by Open Air Control Testing Ground via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Downtown's historic Broadway corridor was once a retail shopping mecca, a magnet for tourists, a major force for city business and commerce and home to twelve theatres. These days, although still a busy artery, the heyday is obviously gone. The theatres are mostly shuttered, there's a 15 to 20% vacancy rate for ground floor retail and more than one million square feet of commercial space in the upper floors remains unused.
For a couple years now, there's been an effort to revitalize the street known as Bringing Back Broadway. The plan includes streetscaping, a streetcar and once again programming the theatre spaces.
Sometimes revitalization efforts need a boost and today's news about the changes coming to Clifton's Cafeteria could help spur Broadway onto the right path.
Support for LAist comes from
News hit Friday that the 1930s eatery had been bought by Andrew Meieran, owner of The Edison, one of the city's most popular bars. Speculation surrounded what he would do with the space, but today he put to rest all of that.
“We feel honored to be a part of the Clifton’s legacy and the history it represents and are working closely with Bringing Back Broadway and the Conservancy to ensure Clifton’s iconic tribute to American idealism, hope and imagination will be preserved and enjoyed for generations to come,” Meieran said. “We hope the venue will once again help establish Broadway as a nightlife destination and will help bring life to Broadway after dark.”
Plans include turning Clifton's into a 24-hour operation with an updated menu, but maintaining the cafeteria-style food service. On the underutilized top floors, he will transform them into a nightlife destination with a neighborhood lounge and sit-down restaurant service. Also on the top floor is the shuttered bakery, which will reopen to sell baked goods under the Clifton brand.
Much of the cafeteria will be restored to its original condition, maintaining historic elements, but also updating the building's systems and infrastructure, including disabled access and restrooms.
That news made the people at the Los Angeles Conservancy happy. Executive Director Linda Dishman said her organization was thrilled with today's announcement.
Councilmemember Jose Huizar, who represents the area, chimed in on the issue, too. “Historic preservation is not about pressing the pause button indefinitely, but about finding ways to honor the wonderful history that makes Broadway so special, while utilizing our historic buildings and businesses in innovative ways that allow them to be successful and vital into the next generation, while serving our diverse community,” he said.
The move to start 24-hour service will also create around 100 jobs. Meieran plans on filling some of those with homeless graduates from a program from the Midnight Mission that provides restaurant training and certification.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist