Legendary Clifton's Cafeteria Operator Abandons Downtown LA Reopening

Proprietor cites challenges of doing business in historic downtown core after $14 million in renovations.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:17am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a vintage cash register, classic diner mug, and neon sign, all arranged elegantly against a clean, monochromatic background with dramatic lighting and shadows, conceptually representing the decline of the once-vibrant Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles.The closure of the iconic Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles reflects the ongoing challenges of revitalizing the city's historic core.Los Angeles Today

Andrew Meieran, the owner of the iconic Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles, has decided to abandon plans to reopen the shuttered venue, citing the difficulty of doing business in the city's historic core due to ongoing issues with crime, homelessness, and urban blight.

Why it matters

Clifton's Cafeteria was a beloved Los Angeles institution for decades, and its closure and the owner's decision to give up on reviving it is seen as a major setback for efforts to revitalize downtown LA's historic district, which has struggled with economic and social challenges in recent years.

The details

Meieran purchased Clifton's in 2010 and invested over $14 million into repairing, renovating, and upgrading the venue, with the goal of reopening it as a modern dining and entertainment destination. However, he says the persistent problems of crime, open-air drug use, homelessness, and graffiti in the area have made it too difficult to successfully operate the business.

  • Meieran purchased Clifton's Cafeteria in 2010.
  • Meieran invested over $14 million into renovations between 2010 and the present.

The players

Andrew Meieran

The proprietor of the iconic Clifton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles, who purchased the venue in 2010 and invested over $14 million into renovations with the goal of reopening it.

Clifton's Cafeteria

A legendary Los Angeles dining and entertainment venue that operated in downtown LA for decades before closing, and which Meieran had hoped to revive through a major renovation project.

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What they’re saying

“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,”

— Andrew Meieran, Proprietor of Clifton's Cafeteria

The takeaway

Meieran's decision to abandon plans to reopen the iconic Clifton's Cafeteria highlights the ongoing challenges that downtown Los Angeles faces in revitalizing its historic core, as persistent issues with crime, homelessness, and urban blight continue to deter investment and business development in the area.