Downtown Los Angeles lost its original Pantry cafe, an iconic eatery known for serving coffee, burgers, and breakfast platters since 1924, on Sunday. The planned closure prompted locals to visit for a final meal at the diner located at the corner of 9th and Figueroa Streets. After the doors closed, the remaining 25 workers received their final checks in a contentious atmosphere, with union support expressing hope for a reversal of the closure.
Despite its mediocre Yelp rating of 3.7, the 24-hour diner became a staple for night owls and early risers, surviving previous threats including highway construction in the 1950s. Former mayor Richard Riordan took over the diner in 1981 as part of a land deal and cherished it throughout his life. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted business, leading to layoffs despite receiving a $1.7 million federal loan.
A proposed class-action lawsuit regarding unpaid wages for overtime and breaks was filed in April 2023, shortly before Riordan’s passing. His trust owns the diner, but negotiations regarding worker contracts with the new owner have stalled, resulting in a complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Commission.
On closure day, trust representatives attempted to distribute final payroll envelopes to workers, but the employees declined to take them. Management called the police when workers didn’t leave, but they eventually departed without incident. Union officials remain uncertain about the future ownership of the diner, although the café’s online ordering service continued to function.
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