After serving customers for over a century, the Original Pantry Cafe in Downtown Los Angeles closed its doors on March 2, 2025. The closure came amid labor disputes between union workers and the Richard J. Riordan family trust, which now owns the diner. Founded by former LA mayor Richard Riordan in 1981, the diner was a beloved 24-hour establishment known for its hearty meals. Despite Riordan's plans to sell the cafe posthumously to fund philanthropy, union protests continued, claiming unfair labor practices related to the closure.
The Original Pantry Cafe, a beloved diner in Downtown Los Angeles, closed after 101 years due to a labor dispute, marking the end of an era.
Richard Riordan purchased the diner in 1981, enamored by its charm, and operated it for years, feeding generations of Angelenos.
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