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This is an article from PreserveLA.com: http://www.preservela.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=274&Itemid=9
Johnie's Broiler |
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Written by Jennifer Morales |
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Friday, 18 April 2008 |
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An agreement to rebuild Johnie's Broiler has been reached with Bob's Big Boy franchise owner Jim Louder. Along with rebuilding the illegally demolished 1958 diner, Louder plans to revive carhop service as well. In celebration of the new agreement and Johnie's 50th anniversary, Friends of Johnie's and the Coalition to Rebuild the Broiler are holding a classic car cruise and meet and greet with Jim on Saturday, April 19. Cruisers are to meet at Johnie's at 7447 E. Firestone Blvd in Downy at noon to meet Jim and maybe even the Big Boy himself at 1 pm. The plan is to circle Johnie's and then adjourn to the Nordic Fox restaurant at 10924 Paramount Blvd in Downey and stay until 6 pm.
In 1965, Harvey Ortner retired and sold the Broiler to Christos John Symrniotis and the name on the sign was changed from Harvey's to Johnie's to reflect the change in ownership. Formerly a chef at the Broiler, Smyrniotis encouraged the use of the Broiler for on-location filming of movies and music videos and it can be seen in such films as "Reality Bites" and "What's Love Got To Do With It?". Even though the restaurant started to go downhill in the 80s and 90s, the cruisers still came, evolving from the "kustom kar" fans of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth and the like to Lowrider car clubs like The Duke's. On December 31, 2001, Johnie's stopped operating as a restaurant when Symrniotis closed the Broiler and leased it out. Ultimately it played host to a used car lot. During this time, several unauthorized alterations were made, including the dismantling of the kitchen and removal of the terrazzo floors. A coalition calling itself "Save Harvey's Broiler" was established in 2002 and began the process to get the building nominated for the California Register of Historic Resources. Johnie's was determined to be eligible for listing, but as the owner Smyrniotis declined to pursue the work necessary to get the Broiler formally declared a Historic Resource. January 7, 2007 saw the unauthorized destruction of the building by one man and a bulldozer. No fence, no asbestos abatement, no permits. Horrified Broiler enthusiasts and police put a stop to the demolition, but much of the restaurant had already been destroyed. The city then put a one year moratorium on further development. Ardas Yanik, the lessee at the time, pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor charges involving unpermitted destruction of a structure, conducting the demolition in the presence of live wires and illegal dumping. He was sentenced to three years of probation and community service. In a December 11 meeting, the Downey City Council voted not to extend the moratorium and to hire a preservation consultant at Smyrniotis's expense. Notwithstanding the findings of the preservation consultant, members of the Coalition are still not sure of what the ultimate fate of the Broiler will be. In October they held a "Holy Ghost" fundraiser cruise with the hope of attracting a benefactor that would be interested in purchasing and restoring the half-destoryed landmark. They are currently involved in raising money for community design charette to explore options to save the Broiler. 25 January 2008 Since the illegal demolition of the Googie icon Johnie's Broiler in January of 2007, the fate of the building has rested in the hands of the Downey City Council. After the demolition was halted, the City Council voted to put a one-year moratorium on any further development on the property. In December 2007, the Council subsequently voted not to extend the moratorium, which expired on January 23, 2008. 25 February 2008 Bob's Big Boy is working with the owner of Johnie's Broiler, Christos Symrniotis, on an agreement to rebuild the iconic Downey diner that was illegally destroyed in 2007. The issue is to be discussed at a Downey City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the City Council Chamber at the Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA, for anyone wishing to speak or show their support! 12 March 2008 An agreement in principle has been reached between Bob's Big Boy and
Johnie's Broiler owner, Christos Smyrniotis for the chain to take over and
rebuild the partially-demolished diner, restoring the googie architecture and
carhops. The two sides must now wait for the historical architectural
consulting firm to present its findings. The firm was hired by the city
of Downy two weeks ago to survey the property. ---------------------------- Source: California Preservation Foundation Newsletter, Cruising
for Johnie's Source: Press-Telegram, Pact signed with an
eye to Johnie's restoration ---------------------------- Source: Press Release, Los
Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee ---------------------------- Source: The Downey Patriot Online, Tentative deal reached to bring Bob's Big Boy to Downey ---------------------------- Source: johniesbroiler.net |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 24 April 2008 ) |
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We have GREAT news to
report! The lease has been signed!
Downey City Council made the official announcement on Tuesday, April 8th!
Sincere thanks to Jim Louder for his vision and for making our longtime dream of Johnie's being resurrected as a Bob's Big Boy drive-in a reality.
On behalf of
the Friends of Johnie's at
JohniesBroiler.net
Coalition to
Rebuild the Broiler
SaveHarveysBroiler.com
Thank you all!!
Adriene
Biondo
Chairman
Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee
modcom.org
Posted by Adriene Biondo, whose homepage is here on 04/10/2008 at 12:50
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