Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
Donut Time, The Iconic Hollywood Eatery Immortalized In 'Tangerine,' Has Closed
Still from Tangerine. (Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)
()
Donut Time, the notorious, beloved twenty-four hour eatery on the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Highland Avenue immortalized in Tangerine, has closed its doors. Located in a small triangular building in a no-name Hollywood strip mall, Donut Time has long been home to a vibrant community of trans women.
LA Weekly , who describe Donut Time as a "a haven for sex workers—many of them transgender women—who make a living on the streets nearby," reports that the eatery's doors have been locked and windows boarded, and that Joey Much, whose aunt Seang Mak owns the shop, confirmed that the purveyor of sugary treats has shuttered for good.
"Donut Time for me is kind of a landmark," Tangerine director Sean Baker says in the video below. Baker's 2015 film, an indie darling that premiered at Sundance to much acclaim, was shot entirely on iPhones, with much of the action happening at Donut Time.
Support for LAist comes from
'Tangerine' Sean Baker Commentary - Donut Time from Charlie Schmidlin on Vimeo.
According to Los Angeles Magazine, the film's budget didn't permit for the shop to close during shooting, so real customers flowed in and out during the two-and-a-half nights of filming.
Though it's not yet clear what exactly will be replacing Donut Time, the closure may have something to do with the massive mixed-use development coming to the area courtesy of AvalonBay Communities, who have already spent nearly $100 million to buy a large area of land at Santa Monica and Las Palmas, according to the Los Angeles Business Journal.
The gentrification tide has been churning through the still-sort-of-gritty neighborhood surrounding Donut Time for a while now. Regen Projects, a major gallery that represents art world giants like Matthew Barney, opened its current location a block away from Donut Time in 2012. Last year, Curbed LA dubbed the area the "Donut Time District," and reported that AvalonBay had plans to spend another $375 million for a six-acre megadevelopment in the area that would be "large enough, it hopes, to be its own safe haven and even a catalyst for gentrification in the area," according to AvalonBay. Well, I guess we all have our own definition of a safe haven.
Actor James Ransone, who played one of the leads in Tangerine, spoke to LAist about the closure. "The nostalgia for a place that most people of a certain economic class won't patronize seems bizarre to me," Ransone said. "Gentrification is merely a byproduct of capitalism and population growth. If one really wants to prevent places like Donut Time from closing, then we need an entirely new economic system, but if you like the economic system and still want places like Donut Time to exist, then pull out."
Related:
'Tangerine' Director Explains Why He Shot His Movie Entirely On iPhones
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist