One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership 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.
Metro Looking for a Restaurant to Take Over Historic Fred Harvey Spot in Union Station
Vintage Postcard depicting Harvey House at Union Station
Metro's ownership of L.A.'s historic Union Station is still in its infancy, but already the transit agency is making strides to bring the rail hub back to its glory. As spotted by Franklin Avenue, a sign set up in the station declares that the space once belonging to the famous Fred Harvey "Harvey House" dining room is once again up for grabs as a restaurant.
Once upon a time, Union Station's Fred Harvey was precisely where a road-weary travelin' man could go to get a properly cooked meal served by a proper lady. The Union Station space, long closed-off to train and bus riders, was one of the last projects designed by architect Mary Colter, known for her use of the Pueblo Revival style. The Harvey House opened in 1939, and was the last Harvey House to open as part of a rail station; it closed in 1967 due to financial woes amid a declining rail business.
The Fred Harvey space in Union Station is lovely, and we agree with Franklin Avenue, it is "an eye-popping location," that is practically ready to go as a restaurant. Well, except that a whole new kitchen would have to be installed, since the old one is totally out of commission.
Prior to Metro taking ownership, the snacking and eating game got upped inside Union Station thanks to the opening of Famima!!, Starbucks, Subway, and Wetzel's Pretzels, who joined the venerable Traxx and good ol' Union Bagels. However, getting a great restaurant into the gorgeous Fred Harvey space could prove to be not only a game-changer, but a pure win for the station.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
