Norms on La Cienega Declared a City Landmark

This made me smile -- partially because I agree that the building is "awesome," but also because I used to go there all the time when I lived in West Hollywood in the early '90s. My friend Marc and I used to play tennis behind the Trader Joe's on Santa Monica Boulevard and then eat a super-cheap meal at Norms, which was usually all we could afford in those days. In fact, I remember being so broke on my birthday one year that Marc and a fellow actor friend of his picked up the check for my breakfast -- which was something like $2.99 -- leaving me incredibly touched. Looking forward to stopping by to say hi when I'm in town for L.A. Gay Pride!

L.A. Magazine writes:

Shortly after noon on Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to add Norms Coffee Shop to the list of Historic Cultural Monuments. The landmark protection will require city review of any proposed changes to the googie style restaurant built in 1957. As we’ve reported before, developer Jason Illoulian of Faring Capital purchased the property last December and has plans to build a “village of shops” in the surrounding parking lot. He told me in March that he thinks the building is “beautiful” and “awesome,” but was unsure who his future tenant(s) would be. “We’re hoping to keep it as a 24-hour diner,” says Illoulian of the restaurant space. “Whether it’s Norms or somebody else.” 

Googie masters Armet & Davis designed the building 58 years ago for founder Norm Roybark and the venerable all-night restaurant would like to stay put. Norms president Mike Colonna issued a statement following the council’s vote thanking the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Cultural Heritage Commission, and the entire city council, singling out councilmember Paul Koretz “for not just defending the building’s structure, but for supporting Norms’ goal to continue serving the local community.”

With my friend James on Melrose Place around the corner from Norms.