""This is an icon of L.A., and it's reopening at a time that L.A. needs it," said Leo Pustilnikov, a real estate entrepreneur and new owner of the old school diner."
""They're what makes the Pantry special. I never considered opening without them," Pustilnikov said, referring to the restaurant employees."
""We'll maybe spruce it up a little bit but keep it mostly the same," he said."
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 11 in downtown Los Angeles marked plans to reopen The Original Pantry Cafe, a 101-year-old restaurant that closed in March. The diner originally opened in 1924 and was owned by the late Richard Riordan since 1981. The restaurant closed on March 2 after a disagreement between the Richard J. Riordan Trust and workers over employment under new trust ownership. New owner Leo Pustilnikov and Unite Here Local 11 reached an agreement to reopen and bring back about 20 original employees, some with decades of service. Pustilnikov aims to reopen by New Year's Eve, possibly return to 24-hour service, add alcohol to the menu, keep the diner largely the same and has purchased the neighboring Riordan's Tavern.
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