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Johnie's Broiler Main | Comments and Memories | The Photos | Johnie's on Preservation Alley 2002 Added a new section highlighting Johnie's Broiler. Please reference this new section for future updates on Johnie's Broiler. Section includes the Johnie's Broiler Comments and Memories from the many notes that have been sent in since the demolition. Update 04/20/08 - More updates on Johnie's here. Update 02/25/07 - The Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee (MODCOM) just sent out an action alert that MODCOM, Friends of Johnie's, and The Coalition to Rebuild the Broiler are announcing that Bob's Big Boy is in negotiations to rebuild Johnie's Broiler. According to the alert, MODCOM receive an official announcement from City of Downey that Bob's and the owner of Johnie's are working to come to terms to rebuild this 1958 landmark. Your attendance is being requested at a Downey City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 7:30pm Downey City Hall Here is the action alert from MODCOM. If questions, please contact Adriene Biondo, chair of the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee or call (818)943-6621.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Update 01/08/07 : News of this illegal demolition has traveled fast. Here are links to other sites and news stories related to this story. CBS Channel 2 News video clip of breaking news. See Channel 2's video clip here. Update 01/07/07 : Just got word that Johnie's was demolished without permits or warning starting at approximately 3:30 PM Sunday evening (Jan 7, 2007). The owner claims no knowledge prior to contact by the city. He arrived at the scene at around 8:45 pm and was questioned by authorities. A crowd appeared as others just drove by in a state of disbelief. The sign is still standing, but it appears to be buckling from the strain. Many thanks to John M. Benton for above info 9:37pm 01-07-07. Update 12 midnight: The former Harvey's Broiler, more recently known as Johnie's Broiler, had its carhop and dining areas bulldozed. The huge Johnie's sign with "fat boy" still stands. When these photos were taken, a KCAL 9 news van was onsite as well as members of the community at large. Members from the Los Angeles Conservancy's Modern Committee were also on hand, assessing the damage to this historical landmark. Following up on the initial report, word on the street is that no demolition permits had been issued and local authorities stopped the demolition after much damage had already been made. Here's are photos from the evening of January 7, 2007
Downey, CA --- Majestic? For years, the huge neon marquee above Johnie's Broiler on Firestone Boulevard in Downey has sometimes been called just that. Other terms for this 50's coffee shop have been vintage, a treasure, classic, googie, and historic. Dusk is setting in on Johnie's Broiler
in Downey, CA
The Used Car Lot at Johnie's Broiler
If you're interested in saving this 50's landmark, please contact the Modern Committee of the Los Angeles Conservancy. Time is of the essence. Many thanks to Dan MacPherson for updates on Johnie's Broiler.
Here's a shot of Johnie's Broiler in an 80's movie, operating as a carhop. This is just an example of the value a vintage drive-in eatery can have to the movie industry. Below is a shot of Johnie's as Harvey's Broiler.
Info courtesy Adriene Biondo
The end appears to be near
for this venerable coffee shop, former drive-in car hop. Please contact
the Modern
Committee of the Los Angeles Conservancy today for information on
how to keep one of the last remaining Johnie's Interior, gutted
The destruction continues on the interior of Johnie's. Located below are more vintage photos of Johnie's, courtesy of Minnie Ortner, the original owner of Harvey's Broiler (Harvey was her husband). Many thanks to Adriene Biondo and Chris Nichols for facilitating posting of these photos. We hope these images will further illustrate the character of Johnie's Broiler and the enormous loss to the community if the demolition is allowed to continue.
The Friends of Johnie's Broiler is organizing a rally this
Saturday, April 20th from 11AM-2PM to help save this classic 50's Googie
style car-hop and drive-in restaurant that has been regularly featured
as a film location in motion picture and television productions. Update courtesy Adriene Biondo
Update courtesy Adriene Biondo Here are a couple of photos from April 20th rally. The rally was largely successful with a fine turnout. The local media also covered the event, including KCAL-9 News.
Johnie's Broiler Main | Comments and Memories | The Photos | Johnie's on Preservation Alley 2002
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Well,
folks, this historic treasure, the former Harvey's Broiler, is now in
trouble. The coffee shop unceremoniously closed down in early 2002 with
a used car dealership now the prime tenant. Troubling word has now come
in that the floor has been broken up with sledgehammers.
examples
of googie from disappearing from the roadside.
