Century-Old L.A. Diner Reopens as Nonprofit Supporting Homeless Programs

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A historic Los Angeles diner that served patrons for over a century is set to reopen after its closure last year, now operating under a nonprofit model that will funnel all profits to homelessness programs.

The Original Pantry Café, which first opened in 1924, is slated to reopen on Nov. 19, according to SFGATE. The downtown Los Angeles establishment shut its doors in March 2025 after more than a century of service.

Operating as a social enterprise for Hope the Mission, the restaurant will support the nonprofit’s mission to deliver meals, shelter, housing and other services to individuals facing homelessness.

Hope the Mission reports that 100% of the diner’s profits will fund its homelessness initiatives, with projections indicating the restaurant could generate roughly $50,000 per month to support those efforts.

The Original Pantry Cafe on Aug. 4, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. (AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

To facilitate the reopening, Hope the Mission has initiated an $800,000 fundraising drive to cover renovation costs, kitchen equipment, staffing, and initial food supplies.

The Original Pantry Cafe is seen the day after its closure on March 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. The historic diner closed after 101 years of service due to labor disagreements between unionizing workers and the owner, the Richard J. Riordan family trust (Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Some staff members had been employed at the restaurant for over four decades before its closure, the union reported. A resolution was reached in September 2025, ending a labor dispute that had kept the establishment shut since March.

The property was formerly managed by a trust linked to former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who passed away in 2023.

The Original Pantry Cafe plans to maintain its familiar dining experience, including original recipes and the return of longtime employees. (Juliana Yamada/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Despite changes in ownership and operating structure, the venue intends to preserve its classic dining atmosphere, original recipes, and the reinstatement of long‑serving staff.

“Visit for the food, and leave having made a difference,” reads the café’s website.

The new initiative complements Hope the Mission’s extensive outreach, which prepares and serves approximately 9,000 meals each day and runs 35 shelters and interim housing facilities.

The café is situated at 877 South Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles.

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