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 during our fall member drive.
The Original Pantry is up for sale. Billed as having 'unparalleled upside potential'
The line outside The Original Pantry Cafe on its last day
(
Dañiel Martinez
/
LAist
)
It's truly an end of an era for The Original Pantry — the famed downtown greasy spoon that had been open for more than 100 years. The eatery closed its doors in early March, drawing thousands of diners, nostalgia-seekers and Angelenos back to their old hangout for one last meal.
Now, the building where The Pantry called home is up for sale.
In the sale listing, the nearly 8,000-square-foot building on James M. Wood Boulevard is pitched as an "irreplaceable property [that] offers unparalleled upside potential in the heart of the city’s urban core, just steps away from LA LIVE and Crypto.com Arena."
Buyers, the listing goes on to say, has the chance to "make history" with the purchase.
Support for LAist comes from
No price is listed and offers are due May 23.
Todd Cobin, executive vice president with Wilshire Advisory Group, the firm representing the property, told LAist they want to give "each interested buyer an opportunity to evaluate the property based on their own criteria and then submit their best offer for consideration."
In 2024, the total assessment of the property was nearly $1.5 million, according to Los Angeles County Office of the Assessor.
Cobin said since the listing went up yesterday, inquiries have been consistent.
"It's been a steady flow and we believe it's gonna continue. The calls and inquiries are just gonna just keep coming in," he said.
The Original Pantry Cafe in 1979.
(
William Reagh
/
Los Angeles Photographers Photo Collection
)
The Original Pantry Cafe, on the northwest corner of Figueroa and 9th streets, in 1978.
(
Security Pacific National Bank Photo Collection
/
Courtesy L.A. Public Library
)
The building has had a storied past.
Support for LAist comes from
Former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan bought the restaurant in 1981. After his death, his administrative trust, which also oversees the charitable nonprofit Riordan Foundation, took ownership.
In a statement in March to LAist’s media partner KCAL News, the Richard J. Riordan Administrative Trust said selling the restaurant will better fund the foundation’s education work for low income students.
Riordan operated the restaurant as a passion project, but the foundation said it was never profitable:
“The trustees of the Mayor’s estate have determined that closing The Pantry and selling the property upon which it is located is the best path to provide the Foundation with the most financial resources to continue its wonderful charitable mission,” the foundation added in its statement.
Cobin said that the proceeds of the sale go to the Riordan Foundation.
LAist's Dañiel Martinez visited The Pantry on its closing date on March 2. Check out their story here.
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
-
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. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence.
Best of LAist