Iconic Clifton's Cafeteria Shutters After Owner Cites Downtown LA Challenges

Vandalism, crime, and high costs force closure of legendary 90-year-old restaurant

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:18pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life image showing a shattered glass window pane lying on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the fragility of small businesses facing urban challenges like vandalism and crime.The repeated vandalism and property damage that plagued Clifton's Cafeteria ultimately contributed to the iconic venue's demise, as the owner grew weary of the constant battle to protect his investment.Los Angeles Today

After pouring over $14 million into renovating and operating the historic Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles, owner Andrew Meieran has given up on the iconic venue. Meieran cited rampant vandalism, including daily graffiti and broken windows costing over $30,000 each time to replace, as well as ongoing crime and safety issues in the area that have made it increasingly difficult to do business. With insurance premiums skyrocketing and foot traffic declining, Meieran has sold the building and is no longer pursuing reopening Clifton's under his ownership.

Why it matters

Clifton's Cafeteria was a beloved Los Angeles institution, operating since 1935 and serving as a Depression-era oasis and entertainment hub on Broadway. Its closure under Meieran's ownership shines a spotlight on the broader challenges facing businesses in downtown LA, including safety concerns, rising costs, and declining foot traffic - issues that have forced the closure of other iconic venues like Cole's restaurant. The disenchantment of a major downtown booster like Meieran underscores the stubborn problems the area faces in attracting and retaining businesses.

The details

Meieran bought Clifton's in 2010 and invested over $14 million into renovations and upgrades, adding new bar and restaurant spaces. However, he found that the cafeteria-style food model was not profitable, so he pivoted to a nightclub and lounge concept called Clifton's Republic in 2018. Even this new approach struggled, as Meieran battled constant vandalism, including graffiti and broken windows costing over $30,000 each time to replace. Meieran also cited ongoing crime and safety issues in the area, including multiple assaults on people in front of the building. With insurance companies raising premiums by as much as 600% or dropping vandalism coverage altogether, Meieran decided it was no longer viable to keep Clifton's open.

  • Meieran bought Clifton's in 2010.
  • Meieran pivoted to the Clifton's Republic concept in 2018.
  • Clifton's was last shut down in 2022, with Meieran hoping for an improvement that never came.

The players

Andrew Meieran

The owner of Clifton's Cafeteria who invested over $14 million into renovating and operating the historic venue before ultimately deciding to sell the building and give up on the business.

Blair Besten

The president of downtown LA's Historic Core Business Improvement District, a nonprofit that arranges services like graffiti removal and safety patrols in the area.

Kelly Muniz

A captain with the Los Angeles Police Department who says the department is making progress in reducing violent crime downtown, though other issues like homelessness and open-air drug use persist.

Cedd Moses

A longtime operator of bars and restaurants in historic downtown LA buildings, who says the high cost of doing business is 'killing independent restaurants' in the city.

Derrick Moore

A real estate broker with CBRE who says many retailers are 'electing to skip over downtown' LA in favor of more vibrant nearby neighborhoods.

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What they’re saying

“We've lost our way. I want to get up on the tops of the skyscrapers and yell that people need to pay attention to this.”

— Andrew Meieran, Owner, Clifton's Cafeteria

“A lot of people live here. I think people forget that. We're all surviving. It's just hard for all the businesses to survive.”

— Blair Besten, President, Historic Core Business Improvement District

“While we're working very hard to solve crime, to prevent crime, there are still elements such as trash, open-air drug use, homelessness and graffiti. We're swinging in the right direction.”

— Kelly Muniz, Captain, Los Angeles Police Department

“The bigger problem for us and the rest of the industry is the high cost of doing business. That's what is killing independent restaurants in this city.”

— Cedd Moses, Longtime downtown LA bar and restaurant operator

“A lot of operators are just electing to skip over downtown. They're leasing spaces elsewhere, where they feel they have a greater chance at higher sales.”

— Derrick Moore, Real estate broker, CBRE

What’s next

The new owner of the Clifton's building is seeking a new tenant to occupy the historic space, and Meieran still controls the Clifton's name, leaving open the possibility that the iconic brand could be revived under new management. However, Meieran has said he is 'done for now' and has no immediate plans to reopen Clifton's himself due to the negative experiences and memories associated with the venue's closure.

The takeaway

The closure of Clifton's Cafeteria under Meieran's ownership highlights the significant challenges facing businesses in downtown Los Angeles, including safety concerns, rising costs, and declining foot traffic. Even an iconic venue with a storied history struggled to survive in the current environment, underscoring the need for city leaders and policymakers to address these systemic issues in order to support the revitalization of downtown LA.