It’s hard to believe that the Original Pantry Cafe has closed its doors, a century after it first opened (“The Original Pantry Cafe closes after over 100 years,” March 3). With its farewell on Sunday, we lost an integral piece of Los Angeles history.
My heart goes out to the staff and their union, who stood up for stability and job security. It’s truly disheartening that a compromise couldn’t be reached—once again, it seems that the pursuit of profit overshadowed the value of people. The restaurant’s essence was shaped by its dedicated staff and servers, many of whom devoted decades to making it the beloved spot we all knew.
For my family, the Original Pantry was an essential part of our lives. My father frequented it for over 50 years, and I’ve been a regular for the last 20, drawn in by its pancakes, its generous portions, and, most importantly, its warm and welcoming people, just like so many Angelenos and tourists who will miss it dearly.
Tyler Renner, San Diego
