Downtown LA’s 101-Year-Old Original Pantry Reopens After Labor Dispute

The Original Pantry Café, a historic downtown Los Angeles diner that first opened in 1924, is set to reopen with its original staff after being closed for six months due to a labor dispute. The closure followed the death of former Mayor Richard Riordan in 2023, after which ownership transferred to the Richard J. Riordan Administrative Trust, which decided to sell the property and close the restaurant. The union representing the employees, Unite Here Local 11, successfully negotiated a deal with new owner and real estate entrepreneur Leo Pustilnikov, enabling the reopening. The union credited the reopening to a community-led campaign that included protests, fundraisers, and public pressure. The reopening marks a positive development for Los Angeles’ restaurant scene and will be celebrated with an event on Thursday morning. Throughout the closure, the restaurant’s staff continued to serve their menu at a pop-up called East Los Pantry, maintaining the diner’s legacy.