Sun is setting on Irv’s Burgers

Irv’s Burgers,  a Route 66 landmark since the early 1950s in West Hollywood, Calif., will open for the last time today, reported the Los Angeles Times.

The burger stand, once a haunt for musicians such as Jim Morrison and Janice Joplin and featured as album artwork for a Linda Ronstadt recording, is being squeezed out by rising rents and the property owner’s demand that the owners replace its leaky corrugated tin roof — something Hong says she cannot afford. […]

The Hongs, who live in Northridge, purchased the business in 2000 from Irv Gendis, who renamed it after himself when he acquired it in 1970. Before that, the stand had been known as Queenies’ Burgers and Joe’s Burgers.

These days, the site at 8289 Santa Monica Blvd. is owned by Standard Oil Investment Group. Company representatives declined to comment, although they have started construction of a business to be called Beach Nation next door to the stand.

Sonia Hong told customers she hoped to reopen in another West Hollywood place. An Indiegogo.com fundraiser was launched several weeks ago to help the family with its moving costs. As of early Thursday, about $6,500 was raised, with four days left on its $50,000 goal.

Although the Hongs will leave, it will be difficult to demolish the hamburger stand because the city declared it a city landmark. But what plans Standard Oil has for it remain unknown.

(Image of Irv’s Burgers by jojomelons via Flickr)

2 thoughts on “Sun is setting on Irv’s Burgers

  1. Seriously??? The LA Times copy editors were so lame and incompetent as to let ‘Janice’ Joplin get by?!? Anyone who ever listened to her knew she spelled her name as Janis.

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