Century-Old LA Diner Sets Reopening Date After Bitter Dispute: Report

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Original Pantry Cafe, the iconic downtown Los Angeles diner that closed last year after a century in business, is preparing to reopen Nov. 19 under new ownership, according to a report.

The restaurant, famous for never closing its doors for much of its history, will reopen after 20 months of renovations under real estate entrepreneur Leo Pustilnikov, SFGATE reported.

The new ownership has partnered with Hope the Mission, a nonprofit serving homeless people, to provide job training and employment opportunities while raising money for the organization, according to SFGATE.

The owners also reached an agreement with the restaurant workers' union, Unite Here Local 11, allowing many longtime employees to return.

The Original Pantry closed in March 2025 amid a bitter labor dispute between management and unionized employees. Hundreds of customers lined up for hours to get one last meal at the historic diner, which first opened in 1924.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan owned the restaurant before his death in 2023. His family trust subsequently took over and listed the property for sale.

According to SFGATE, much of the restaurant's historic interior has been preserved, including its tile flooring, payment counter and the worn spot in the floor where generations of customers stood to pay their bills.

The Original Pantry Cafe is located at 877 S. Figueroa St. in downtown Los Angeles.